P365 - 2013 - Day 308 - Monday in DC

P365 - 2013 - Day 308 - Monday in DC
(Guest blogger- My Wonderful Husband)

I had the pleasure of taking my Global Human Rights class to DC yesterday for a visit to the Holocaust Museum and the American Indian Museum.  I have been to the Holocaust Museum many times but this was my first trip to the American Indian Museum.  The Holocaust Museum was once again a very emotional experience.  One of my students commented that he was glad that he came but would never come again--that it was too emotional.  I retorted that for me this is a necessary trip every couple of years--it reminds me of why I started studying humanitarian law and the importance of teaching the next generation about not only the evil that humanity can inflict, but the change that they can initiate to help prevent future genocides.

After emotionally draining the students we went to the American Indian Museum, which is an outstanding display of Native American culture and history as told by American Indians.  So many of the displays and short videos kept emphasizing that for the first time this group of people get to tell their history as they perceive it; not the imposed history of colonizers, invaders  and others.  I definitely need to return here for a longer journey through their stories.

The day ended with a great meal in the city and a smile on my face because it was another day that reminded me why I got into this profession.

*We who are clay blended by the Master Potter, come from the kiln of Creation in many hues.  How can people say one skin is colored, when each has its own coloration?  What should it matter that one bowl is dark and the other pale, if each is of good design and serves it's purpose well.

- Polingaysi Ooyawayma, Hopi*