"Our country"

I feel the need to clarify my statement of pride in my country. I am not a jingoist, do not stand at the ready to defend the actions of our government on those occasions when I believe they are wrong, often egregiously so. But there are 2 US'es: the United States represented by a government that often defines "American Interests" as things associated with the dollar and that which uses concepts of right and wrong as it's compass. Call me naive, an idealist, tell me that it was never so, that America was always about commerce--I don't care. I believe, make that "choose to beleive," in the other America, in the dream, the America of the history books I read while growing up. That people came here for freedom, that we are a country "of the people."

I am here now representing that America--the people--the good people I know back home. The other teachers here with me have embraced the experience: we walk where we can; we eat posho and beans, casava, and Irish; we shower once a week to conserve precious water. But, there is another America presence here in the form of the US embassy. The 12 biggest cars in Uganda belong to the US embassy. Every day these gleaming white vehicles are scrubbed clean of the red dust that is Uganda. More water is used for each of these vehicles than by a family of four. I think of the women that walk the dusty roads to the bore hole to pump the water into the yellow, 23 litre jerrycans, then pick them up and place these 40 lb burdens on their heads and return to their homes, often to repeat the trip for more, for a sick neighbor, for laundry.

I have never been inside the US Embassy compound. My cynicism leads me to imagine hot water and sumptuous meals, clean sheets and flush toilets. I am not jealous, I am confused. I understand the need for security--last weeks bombing brought that home. But the ostentatious display of wealth, the thoughtless waste in a place where need is met at every glance seems misguided at best. It is if the idea of advertisement over caring has won, "See us. We are rich. That proves our way is better." If I were Ugandan, I believe my reaction might be one of resentment. Anger.

I admit to a certain geo-political naivtee. But I believe more long term good is to be derived from an atitude that demonstrates the belief that we have what we have because of an accident of birth as much anything else, that we are here to share our surplus because we can, and because it is right.