A New Day Upon Us

Asa and I were working on a very large translation project last week that needed a quick turnaround to help facilitate a funding proposal put together by my esteemed Afghan colleagues. The documents were quite technical even for Asa, so many of the words in the documents needed discussion so I could deduce the proper term for her; i.e., phlobotomy, ballistics. After a couple of gruelling days, I called in for translator reinforcements. The company sent two different male interpreters to help. So, the point of this blog... the pictures tell you.

Before the international community arrived here in Afghanistan, these types of activities... men and women outside of family working together... would never have occurred, and if so under the penalty of death by the Taliban. So, it was an epiphany when I looked up at Asa and these Gents working together... WOW!!!!! Not only was Asa working with a man, but the men were seeking out her help/guidance in front of others. And, when they made continual errors, Asa stepped in and chastised them for their errors. This is huge step forward for the people of Afghanistan and gives me faith the Taliban will not be allowed to return to full power even after the coalition departs.

But, then I received a disheartening insight shared by a local behaviorist. The Afghans are a naturally gentle and passive people. Given this, groups like the Taliban can come in and leverage huge influence with a just a few people, relatively speaking. He then compared the Taliban to playground bullies. It takes very few bullies to control the masses, they simply beat up a few and the others cower to them.

I'm putting my faith in the Asa's and other many wonderful Afghans I interact with on an almost daily basis. I speak with them about defiance... defying those who attempt to take away the quality of life they have learned and now relish. They listen and continually assure me the people will not allow a Taliban return, there is obvious anger in their faces when they speak of this. I've decided to err on the side of hope over cynicism.