CPTnet
12 December 2006

COLOMBIA REFLECTION: How do I prepare?

by Suzanna Collerd

[Note: Collerd submitted this release on 7 December 2006.]

I leave for Nariño in a couple of days, to join teammates in the
accompaniment of Awá indigenous peoples in order to understand, document
and make visible their situation to the world. I ask myself, how can I
prepare? What can I fold and pack that will lessen the pains of continuous
massacres and displacements? What can I place in my backpack that will stop
the Colombian military, the Colombian government-connected paramilitaries,
and the guerrillas from committing brutal attacks on innocent civilians?
What shall I pack in my first aid kit to heal the wounds of 500 years of
colonizing forces that create and recreate the cycle of violence via
murders, massacres, and forced displacement? What kinds of computers and
cameras best document marginalization, abuse, and war?

Perhaps what I need to do is not place things in my bags, but rather take
things out. Remove my assumptions about indigenous peoples that come from
my life in racist societies. Take out my earplugs that block out
marginalized voices so that I can hear and grow in the truths presented to
me. Unfold my heart so that I am open to being present with the pain of
war's violence. Stop typing so that I can hold hands, children and hope.

I wonder what U.S. and Colombian soldiers and contractors pack as they leave
for Nariño? They place gasoline in the tanks of their planes and
helicopters, bullets in their guns, poisonous liquids in super-sized spray
bottles, and masks to hide their faces when they commit atrocities. Plan
Colombia, the name given to the foreign aid package from the United States,
primarily funds military and aerial fumigation campaigns. Because this area
of the country is heavily affected by this funding, I imagine they pack
extra large army green bags, full of things that kill, maim, and destroy
life and culture. But do they also pack pictures of loved-ones close to
their hearts?

What would happen if they unpacked their bags, or better yet, left all those
tools of war behind and only traveled by bus or foot instead of helicopter?
They could spend a full day or two thinking of their homes and families. On
arrival, they might see the community in each town along the road and notice
smiles on children's faces as they play. Perhaps they could share photos of
family with the Awá people, hear about the life of families from this
region, and learn of their struggles to maintain home and community for
their children. Would this be enough to change the hearts of trained killers
(soldiers) so that they stop the deadly military operations and fumigations
in the region and start plans to support communities?