Christina Juan

Freedom and Democracy through Simple Language

From the love letter at Shakaland to the ladder at the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg, I have discovered the wealth of information, meaning, and tradition in South Africa. I was particularly moved by the way the ladder demonstrated its recognition of the country’s history – one step of the ladder is made of barbed wire, illustrating slavery and another step, made of elephant bone, signifies the beautiful animals. The symbols exhibited in this country promote principles of love, understanding, and compassion.  Over the course of four weeks, I have been overwhelmed by how connected we all are in this world.  Just as the module I have been teaching aims to break down the stigma surrounding the HIV epidemic, I have realized how glaringly present these values already are in South Africa. What I find to be beautiful is that in a country undergoing transitions after the raw, painful struggles of apartheid, these values are as clear and sharp as glass. More specifically, I was astonished by the Freedom Charter in Soweto. Each statement, like “the preaching and practice of national race or color discrimination contempt shall be a punishable crime,” is loaded with meaning. However, all the words are unpretentious, making the Charter accessible to everyone. During the moments I was exposed to this, I was in awe of how resilient the people of South Africa are and how their culture and oral tradition have liberated them step by step. It is a reminder of the new, hard-earned freedom that will set the example for other countries in the world, like the United States. I feel that my experience here in South Africa has come full circle. As part of the Pedagogy of Action, I learned to become an expert of the HIV module and feel empowered to take part in dialogue related to the heavy issue. I feel so blessed because I was also able to learn more than I could imagine and grasp why South Africa is so special through the stories of people I have been fortunate to have met.  I will take what I have learned everywhere with me.  I would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported me so far.  I look  forward to sharing these experiences with you.

Signing off, Christina P. Juan Team Member
 Pedagogy of Action 2007