Caylin - South Africa
Storybite 6
Nov 15, 2017
Caylin, a student at the North-West University in South Africa, shares her story about taking the first step in approaching a different group as an outsider and how that moment taught her that a simple conversation about language and culture can be a great step towards reconciliation and mutual-understanding between divided groups: “instead of seeing it as a wall between two different groups, it’s really an opportunity for hospitality.”
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“If you go to the outside, if you go to the United States for a couple of years, maybe you will forget. And you will be coming back. We will miss you, but we will see you later. But if you die, no chance to see you later in time.”
“In the safe space I’m a part of, I can take a step back to reflect on myself, my background, and my position as a women with intersecting backgrounds.”
Students in Croatia share transformative moments of hospitality.
“Although I maybe can’t go back…I’ve always been very intrigued by my family’s identity as Persians who have left their country.”
“You might be different, but perhaps you have something that I don’t have.”
“It is important to have the willingness to listen to each other and the patience and tolerance for each other.”
“It gave me a place (..) to accept myself and accept that what I feel and who I am was good enough.”
Thembi shares a story about facilitating conversation between black and white employees on the effects of Apartheid in South Africa.
“They were the person who forced me to see the effects of the church’s stance on the people who identify on the LGBTQ spectrum.”
“…she’s this person who has invited me in her life. As I journey with her, she is also ready to journey with me.”
“…it really clued me in on the importance of listening and trying to root out the bigger problems…”
“…living with people who have been neglected, people who have suffered before, I have been able to accept myself…”
