Hi Global Citizens ASTU! Our first year is gradually wrapping up, and I thought it would be fitting to write about the most important aspects of ASTU that I have learned this year. As the purpose of our ASTU vlogs next week will encapsulate the essential elements of ASTU, I want to use this blog entry as a sort of platform to get my ideas flowing.
For me, the main takeaway I will receive from ASTU is the aspect of ‘remembering’. In all of the novels that we have read, Persepolis, Safe Area Gorazde, Obasan, in particular, share this concept of selective remembering. Those memories that are worth remembering remain a memory, and those that become of lesser importance and/or significance are forgotten throughout history. All three of these books have themes of death, and the ideology behind remembering those who have died is a key argument made by the authors of each of those books.
I have always loved learning about history through novels. The most enjoyable thing about ASTU was that when we covered very sensitive topics such as 9/11, the Iranian Revolution, Japanese internment, and the Bosnian War, our class discussions eased us into them. For example, I particularly enjoyed watching those videos about Muslims who have been victims of racism in the United States. They were so personal, especially in the way that it humanized the person speaking. It really made me aware of the lucky opportunity that I have when I walk around UBC campus without experiencing racism. I have become a lot more aware of xenophobia.
Another key concept that I will constantly be thinking about post-ASTU is this idea of “thinking globally and acting locally”. As mere students, we are constantly prone to ignoring large-scale problems rather than facing them—simply because it’s easier for us. I think that ASTU, and really Global Citizens as a whole is trying to teach my generation to take a call to action.