Events
As part of the Global Studies Program, students must attend and write a reflection on several events yearly. Here are some of the events I attended, from most recent to oldest, and short descriptions of the event itself. Longer reflections can be found on my "Reflections" page.
DRST 2024
This was my second year participating in Watkinson's Dominican Republic Service Team. This year was extra meaningful because last year I had broken my foot weeks before departure, and it limited the work I was able to do. The DRST runs medical clinics and works on construction sites, and while last year I spent most of my time in the med clinics, this year I fell in love with construction. Staying on the same batey for the entire trip led me to form deeper relationships see the cumulative results of the work we do.
CT Forum: Reflections on a complex America
This event with Heather Cox Richardson and Nikole Hannah-Jones and moderated by Jonathan Capehart was incredible. I was lucky enough to attend both the regular event and the Student Preview, where other students and I were able to ask questions and speak with the speakers.
MASS MoCA
The dual-diploma programs(Global Studies and Creative Arts) went on a joint trip to MASS MoCA. There were a few exhibitions we were required to see, but other than that, we had the day to roam. I had never been to a modern art museum before, and I was pleasantly surprised. I especially enjoyed all of the immersive art.
Arn Chorn-Pond
Watkinson has a years-long connection with Cambodian Living Arts and the Khmer Magic Music Bus. Arn Chorn-Pond, a survivor of the Cambodian genocide, spoke at Watkinson about his experiences and journey of healing through music. The most interesting aspect of Arn’s visit to me was his search for his identity after moving to America as a refugee from Cambodia.
Rosh Hashanah in the Park
Rosh Hashanah in the Park was a service hosted by Congregation Beth Israel in Elizabeth Park in Hartford. I had only been to a couple of Jewish services before, both of them being Bat Mitzvahs, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. I enjoyed their focus on human connection, through music or otherwise, and it reminded me of the Protestant congregation I was raised in.
Justice Mullins' Confirmation Hearing
Justice Raheem Mullins of the CT Supreme Court had a confirmation hearing to become Chief Justice on September 30, 2024. I assumed this hearing would be filled with court orders and law vernacular that I wouldn’t understand. However, it was quite accessible. Something that shocked me was that Justice Mullins mentioned that none of the courthouses in Connecticut have WiFi, except for Torrington; I'm surprised that these issues haven't been addressed sooner, because I believe that reducing barriers so everyone in our state can interact with the government should be a top priority.
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
The 2024 summer reading for the Global Studies Program was Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. The connections between India's caste system and the United States' own system were fascinating. It took me a while to fully process the magnitude of Wilkerson's claims, but it was incredibly helpful in understanding the choice between complicity and education.