a day of disillusionment

day #1 in the big apple

today was a day that began with direct discourse on our country

on our government

on the intent behind the structures that are in place

-power-

and how we will never change the world.

we moved on to the un

and i went on a tour

in which the tour guide pointed out the giant new conference building

that they have spent 1 point whatever million dollars on during renovations

then he told us they are going to tear it down in 3 years.

please take a picture.

he led us across the room.

i saw a giant poster with words making up the human body.

i step closer to see these words are the declaration of human rights.

intrigued, i wonder what he will tell me about this poster.

instead, he points to a tapestry that was woven

and tells of pain and suffering.

please take a picture.

we enter the general assembly.

this is where 192 countries make the important decisions

that will save the world.

look at the paintings on the wall.

what do you see?

i see a pizza. and french fries.

please take a picture.

we move on through the millenium development goals

(http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/MDG_Report_2009_ENG.pdf)

and walk into a room full of pictures and information of child soldiers.

he shows us a guitar.

a wall about bombs...

look, this statue is from nagasaki.

the front didnt suffer radiation.

the back did.

please touch the radiation.

please take a picture.

your tour is over,

i hope you enjoyed it.

you will now go to a briefing

and learn about job opportunities at the UN.

including salary.

oh. please take a picture.

needless to say, the tour left me pretty disillusioned about the un.

pretty darn disillusioned.

we continued to meet with an SIT alum

who now works at the UN

we are 35 bright-eyed, eager souls looking for ways to fight injustice

to ensure human rights

to bring peace.

she tells us why she works at the UN:

she got a green card

and a visa

she only has to work 35 hours a week

and she gets to live in new york city.

she doesn't love her job

but the benefits are great.

question?

yes, if you work as a UN peacekeeper on the ground don't worry you will be safe.

you will live in the secure UN compound.

these are places of disaster, guns, wars, rape.

why on earth would you want to live with the locals?

hm. frustrating.