As we express our sadness, disappointment and disgust even, let’s be careful to do so with each other privately and remember as global American Peace ambassadors, our job is primarily dictated in these situations, by the third goal that is part of the tripartite purpose for which our Agency exists. That is our paramount duty when it comes to our domestic issues at home.
Perhaps as we meet for empress, we can set aside time for emotional and mental self care and venting. In the meantime, we ARE Americans, no matter our creed, color, gender, age and/or orientation. We were vetted for the roles we presently serve in, and we have a duty to find constructive and positive ways to respond to, not explain, not justify, not rationalize and certainly not banter about, questions relating to American politics with our host country.
The politics notwithstanding, our nation is still a republic; still the world’s leading democratic nation; protected, albeit imperfectly, by a dynamic Constitutional document and a system of checks and balances. We are still a nation seeking national and global peace, by the existence of the very Agency we PCVs work for; and we are still the world’s most charitable nation by virtue of our resources, and expanse of contiguous fertile land mass.
Let us think outside of the box, of the beauty of our democratic experiment in freedom and our constitutional rights, so that we are guided by the goals that undergird our existence here in Jamaica, especially that third goal. I am there where you are, but we need to be mindful of our higher oath of office. Love you guys in Peace Corps Jamaica, and glad we are in this together.