“I went to Sudan and am writing about it again, because I believe that which separates action from inaction is the same thing that separates my friends from Sudan. It is not indifference. It is distance. May it fall way.”–Dr. James Maskalyk, Médecins Sans Frontières
I’ve been quoting him a few times already in my blog. I’m probably breaking some of blog rule by doing that, but whatever. It’s worth it.
Dr. James Maskalyk wrote his book Six Months in Sudan to tell stories—stories about people and his experience in their environment. He fills a gap between us and another part of the world through communication. He originally started the blog to stay connected with his family and friends. But it became so popular that it engaged people around the world.
He was in downtown yesterday doing a book signing. He first spoke about his first assignments with Doctors Without Borders. Like other humanitarians who have witness unbearable crimes committed against innocent people, he asked himself and his colleagues, “Why care about the people in Brazil or Cambodia? Why do we do this kind of work?” His colleague replied, “Because it’s your bloody duty to care.” He pretty much said ok and carried on with his duties.
As I hear people speak and go to these kinds of events, a common theme often emerges. When people “bear witness” to horrific crimes, it can pressure people to release hostages, stop brutal executions, and sometimes make cities safer. More often than not, it doesn’t change tragic outcomes, but it’s not impossible. And if it’s possible, then it’s worth trying.
Maskalyk mentioned, “What makes a city safe are the number of eyes that get placed on them. So if we can get more attention, maybe the city can be safer.” His blog were the eyes that enabled the world to see what was going on in a part of Sudan.
Given all of the emotional extremes he experienced from saving lives, the uncertainty of the future, the hope among the people, and seeing children die, his main message was for people to be engaged with the world no matter what form we chose. He said, “You have once chance to know the world you live in. To know where your food comes from to where your shit goes into the lake to the people in Sudan—it’s the truth.”
I am most struck by how calm, but gripping, his presentation was. It was a very controlled, yet emotional talk. I think I’m surprised that his closing quote was not related to humanitarianism and the sense of collective responsibility. Instead, he quoted Joan Didion who said:
I’m not telling you to make the world better, because I don’t think that progress is necessarily part of the package. I’m just telling you to live in it. To look at it. To try to get the picture. To live recklessly. To take chances. To make your own work and take pride in it. To seize the moment.
As he read this quote, I imagined my bungee jumping moment that I “seized” earlier this week. I went because I wanted to begin having new experiences and do random things that I’ve never done before. For some people, a new thing may be approaching a stranger because the thought is terrifying. For another person it can be scary to lead a team.
None of these relate to humanitarian work but they relate to connecting with our environment and people. And that is ultimately the message that Maskalyk was conveying.
One woman asked him, “Why did you choose to specialize in emergency medicine?” He replied, “Because I was afraid of it. I believe in doing things that you are afraid of, then there’s nothing left to fear.”
I always find it amazing when humanitarians who work in some of the world’s most neglected places encourage people to connect with their local community.
Maskaly’s blog said, “You don’t have to travel the world to engage with it (though, why wouldn’t you). There are places in your city, maybe on your street, that do worthwhile work and could use more hands.”
Do what you can. More importantly, do what you must.
