Week 10: Washington D.C. Wrap Up
After over two months touring the country, it felt rather perfect to wrap up our journey in the country's capitol. It is easy to forget that while Washington D.C. is the political hub of our country, it is still very much a densely packed urban sprawl rich in diversity and communities that do not directly revolve around serving our Federal Government.
The schools we spent time with this week had a remarkably high population of students from El Salvador which was discovered upon discussing how both Bonsaaso, Ghana and Mayange, Rwanda grow Cassava, also known as Yucca. Many were excited to share how they cook with the vegetable at home and question why a vegetable native to Central America ended up in certain parts of Africa. Tracing an agricultural product back to its origins is an excellent learning tool in understanding the long-term side effects of imperialism and globalization.
Overtime, I have come to see the bus as a intimate space that fuels a lot of unplanned sharing and reflection. The space shifts from a exhibition into a reflection space once students stand across from each other down the aisle, making their voices heard and eye contact unavoidable. Many students tell stories about their own lives and cultures that their classmates have never heard before. The questions that arise from looking at the photographs fuel distinct conversations that become specific to each class visit.
