Raul Pangalangan writes: The real challenge is how to deepen the goodwill that Julia Campbell fostered, and keep it from being whittled away by the misadventures of George W. Bush



"It has been said that people all over the globe love to love Americans and hate the United States. On Sept. 11, 2001, that distinction dissolved. Until then, the common image was of America's public and official self, so to speak, its president, its warships and fighter jets. The World Trade Center tragedy exposed America's private and unofficial self -- of fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, parents and children, grieving their loss; of firefighters who risked or lost their lives in the line of duty; of a coming together of strangers now bound by a shared ordeal. It was one of those rare moments that brought out the personal, sensitive, and, I will add, fair-minded side of America that the rest of world rarely got to see except as art or fiction. But it was the invasion of Iraq that revived the distinction and resurrected the image of the global bully."

Raul Pangalangan writes: The real challenge is how to deepen the goodwill that Julia Campbell fostered, and keep it from being whittled away by the misadventures of George W. Bush

Peace Corps: the America we do not see
Raul Pangalangan

MANILA, Philippines -- The trial has just begun for the man accused of killing a well-loved Peace Corps volunteer. Julia Campbell put her journalism career on hold to serve in Bicol, in one of the country's poorer provinces, and lived among people who would later call her affectionately "Ate Julia" [Elder Sister Julia]. It took Julia's death to remind Filipinos of the "kinder and gentler nation" of which George Bush the Elder spoke.

That, strangely enough, is the hidden face of America in the time of George Bush the Younger. And whose face instead do they project to the world each time America's name is mentioned? Dick Cheney's. Imagine him snarling right after he pulled the trigger and mistakenly shot his lawyer-friend while hunting game. "Darn, I missed."

John F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps to help counter the stereotype of the "Ugly American" and of "Yankee Imperialism" in most of the former colonies of Latin America, Asia and Africa. Over the next decades, young idealistic Americans answered JFK's "call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, 'rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation' -- a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself."

From all accounts about Julia's work in Bicol, the Peace Corps couldn't have done better. She was a free-lance journalist before she came to our shores. In her blog, she said: "At the age of 38, I decided to step out of the rat race of New York, join the Peace Corps and board a plane for Manila." She lived in a nipa hut in Donsol, Sorsogon, without running water, and delighted in the care and attention of the townsfolk. Apart from her teaching, she had another project, a Marine Ecology Learning Center called Bahay Kalikasan that would teach "environmental science for children, solid waste management seminars for adults and … create livelihood programs for the local fishermen." She excitedly wrote in both English and Filipino: "We have a donor -- Salamat po... Thomas P. Waters Foundation! -- and 25 percent of the project will be paid for by the local community. Ito ay malaking proyekto, talaga!"

She was later reassigned to the big city, Legazpi, still a whole day's drive south of Manila, where she taught English and organized English-language training seminars. She went missing in April this year in Banaue, some 10 hours north of Manila and famous for the rice terraces carved on the mountainside. At the time of her death, she was one of 167 Peace Corps volunteers assigned to the Philippines.

News reports say that she joined the Peace Corps (quoting, I suppose, from either her blog or her application forms) "to show people in the world what Americans are really like because after 9/11, people had the impression that Americans are bad, selfish and greedy." From all the tributes, she certainly achieved that, and more.

I might have to correct her timeline though. No, that image problem did not emerge soon after 9/11. Indeed, right after terrorist attacks, America -- the world's only remaining superpower -- gained the world's sympathy, and won respect for the dignity of its bereaved and the heroism of its victims.

It has been said that people all over the globe love to love Americans and hate the United States. On Sept. 11, 2001, that distinction dissolved. Until then, the common image was of America's public and official self, so to speak, its president, its warships and fighter jets. The World Trade Center tragedy exposed America's private and unofficial self -- of fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, parents and children, grieving their loss; of firefighters who risked or lost their lives in the line of duty; of a coming together of strangers now bound by a shared ordeal. It was one of those rare moments that brought out the personal, sensitive, and, I will add, fair-minded side of America that the rest of world rarely got to see except as art or fiction. But it was the invasion of Iraq that revived the distinction and resurrected the image of the global bully.

Following this public/private distinction, we must also ensure that the Filipinos' remembering of Julia goes beyond the public and the official. It certainly is nice to have President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo confer posthumously the Order of the Golden Heart on Julia and, separately, on the Peace Corps, in formal ceremonies at Malacañan Palace. Add to that the honors at the House of Representatives earlier this month, when Speaker Jose de Venecia gave the Congressional Medal of Achievement to "the best sons and daughters of America [who] have lived and worked in 139 host countries" and, in particular, to Campbell, a "martyred volunteer … who out of empathy and compassion, touched thousands of Filipino lives."

The real challenge, however, is how to deepen the goodwill that Julia fostered, and keep it from being whittled away by the misadventures of George W. Bush. The Arroyos and De Venecias live in their own world, so to speak, where feelings do not become real until they are documented -- and of resolutions, medals and citations, they have plenty. The rest of the nation lives in another world, where feelings of respect, love, of mutual nurturing and support, are not real if they are merely written on paper, and come to life only by engaging people in flesh-and-blood and becoming part of their lives and being called "Ate" [Elder Sister].

That, coincidentally, is where the strength of the true America lies: in the likes of Julia, who found not sacrifice but fulfillment in living in a "nipa" frond hut on the poorer side of a poor town.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: August, 2007; RPCV Julia Campbell (Philippines); RPCV Julia Campbell (Philippines); Peace Corps Philippines; Directory of Philippines RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Philippines RPCVs; Safety and Security of Volunteers; Crime; Murder; Journalism; Speaking Out

When this story was posted in August 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

---

Senator Dodd's Peace Corps Hearings Read PCOL's executive summary of Senator Chris Dodd's hearings on July 25 on the Peace Corps Volunteer Empowerment Act and why Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter does not believe the bill would contribute to an improved Peace Corps while four other RPCV witnesses do. Highlights of the hearings included Dodd's questioning of Tschetter on political meetings at Peace Corps Headquarters and the Inspector General's testimony on the re-opening of the Walter Poirier III investigation.

---

---

Paul Theroux: Peace Corps Writer Paul Theroux began by writing about the life he knew in Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer. His first first three novels are set in Africa and two of his later novels recast his Peace Corps tour as fiction. Read about how Theroux involved himself with rebel politicians, was expelled from Malawi, and how the Peace Corps tried to ruin him financially in John Coyne's analysis and appreciation of one of the greatest American writers of his generation (who also happens to be an RPCV).

---

August 4, 2007: This Month's Top Stories Peace Corps reopens Guinea Program 19 Jul China beating US in public diplomacy 4 Aug Shalala continues fight for wounded soldiers 4 Aug Sue Hilderbrand's goal is stopping funding for Iraq war 3 Aug Matthew Barison went from Uzbekistan to Romania 2 Aug Peter Chilson writes "Disturbance-Loving Species" 31 Jul An RPCV remembers Texas Tower Tragedy 29 Jul Daniel Balluff films documentaries on Niger 28 Jul Renewing the Bond of Trust with PCVs 27 Jul Carol Bellamy to chair Fair Labor Foundation 25 Jul Delay in Julia Campbell trial 24 Jul PCV Brian writes: Secondary Projects - First Priority 23 Jul Dodd says no easy election for Democrats in 2008 22 Jul John Smart writes: Bush's palace in Iraq 20 Jul Bill Moyers eulogizes Lady Bird Johnson 15 Jul Social Justice ranks high on Dan Weinberg’s agenda 15 Jul PCV Tait writes: Good-bye to my village 14 Jul Amy Smith organizes Development Design Summit 13 Jul Cameron Quinn to head PC Third Goal Office 11 Jul Josh Yardley brought Red Sox to Burkina Faso 11 Jul James Rupert writes: Islamabad's Red Mosque 11 Jul Sarah Chayes writes: NATO didn't lose Afghanistan 10 Jul

---

Dodd issues call for National Service Standing on the steps of the Nashua City Hall where JFK kicked off his campaign in 1960, Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd issued a call for National Service. "Like thousands of others, I heard President Kennedy's words and a short time later joined the Peace Corps." Dodd said his goal is to see 40 million people volunteering in some form or another by 2020. "We have an appetite for service. We like to be asked to roll up our sleeves and make a contribution," he said. "We haven't been asked in a long time."

---

July 9, 2007: This Month's Top Stories O'Hanlon says "soft partition" occurring in Iraq 9 Jul Eric R. Green writes on coming oil crisis 8 Jul Why Dodd joined the Peace Corps 5 Jul Jim Doyle positioned for third term 5 Jul Michael Adlerstein to direct UN Master Plan 3 Jul Shalala says Veterans report will be solution driven 1 Jul Blackwill says: No process will make up for stupidity 30 Jun Allan Reed creates a Diaspora Skills Transfer Program 29 Jun State Dept apology ends hold on Green nomination 28 Jun Call for stories to celebrate PC 50th Anniversary 25 Jun Michael Shereikis is singer and guitarist for Chopteeth 25 Jun Christopher R. Hill Visits North Korea 22 Jun Tschetter at JFK Bust Unveiling Ceremony 21 Jun Kiribati too risky for PCVs 17 Jun James Rupert writes: US calls for free Pakistani elections 17 Jun Colin Cowherd says PCVs are losers 7 Jun Tony Hall Warns of Food Shortages in North Korea 7 Jun Youth Theatre performs Spencer Smith's "Voices from Chernobyl" 7 Jun Ifugao names forest park after Julia Campbell 6 Jun Anissa Paulsen assembles "The Many Colors of Islam" 5 Jun Obituary for Nepal RPCV Loret Miller Ruppe 2 Jun Forty PCVS to arrive in Ethiopia 2 Jun

---

Public diplomacy rests on sound public policy When President Kennedy spoke of "a long twilight struggle," and challenged the country to "ask not," he signaled that the Cold War was the challenge and framework defining US foreign policy. The current challenge is not a struggle against a totalitarian foe. It is not a battle against an enemy called "Islamofascism." From these false assumptions flow false choices, including the false choice between law enforcement and war. Instead, law enforcement and military force both must be essential instruments, along with diplomacy, including public diplomacy. But public diplomacy rests on policy, and to begin with, the policy must be sound. Read more.

---

Ambassador revokes clearance for PC Director A post made on PCOL from volunteers in Tanzania alleges that Ambassador Retzer has acted improperly in revoking the country clearance of Country Director Christine Djondo. A statement from Peace Corps' Press Office says that the Peace Corps strongly disagrees with the ambassador’s decision. On June 8 the White House announced that Retzer is being replaced as Ambassador. Latest: Senator Dodd has placed a hold on Mark Green's nomination to be Ambassador to Tanzania.

---

June 1, 2007: This Month's Top Stories Returned Volunteers and Staff honor Warren Wiggins 15 May Tom Seligman curates "Art of Being Tuareg" 26 May PCV Marilyn Foss dies in China 25 May Poet Susan Rich writes: The Women of Kismayo 22 May Christopher Hill considers visit to North Korea 18 May Peter Hessler talks about time in Fuling as PCV 18 May Murder charges filed in death of PCV Julia Campbell 17 May David Pitts claims JFK offered PC to Lem Billings 16 May Niki Tsongas announces candidacy for Congress 16 May James Rupert writes: Pakistanis talk of Musharraf's departure 16 May Chris Matthews writes: Jerry Falwell's Political Legacy 15 May Ron Tschetter visits volunteers in Botswana 14 May Which assignment to take? Africa, Europe, or Central Asia 14 May Willy Volk writes: New way to keep mosquitoes at bay 14 May Jim Walsh takes special interest in Nepal 13 May NPCA offers podcasts of social entrepreneurs 10 May Gaddi Vasquez showcases food aid work in Central America 10 May Donna Tabor dreamed up Cafe Chavalos 8 May Tom Bissell writing book about Jesus' 13 Apostles 8 May Jody Olsen praises PCV blogging 7 May PC responds to missing volunteers in 2001 and 2007 2 May

---

Peace Corps Funnies A PCV writing home? Our editor hard at work? Take a look at our Peace Corps Funnies and Peace Corps Cartoons and see why Peace Corps Volunteers say that sometimes a touch of levity can be one of the best ways of dealing with frustrations in the field. Read what RPCVs say about the lighter side of life in the Peace Corps and see why irreverent observations can often contain more than a grain of truth. We'll supply the photos. You supply the captions.

---

PCOL serves half million PCOL's readership for April exceeded 525,000 visitors - a 50% increase over last year. This year also saw the advent of a new web site: Peace Corps News that together with the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps serve 17,000 RPCVs, Staff, and Friends of the Peace Corps every day. Thanks for making PCOL your source of news for the Peace Corps community. Read more.

---

Suspect confesses in murder of PCV Search parties in the Philippines discovered the body of Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell near Barangay Batad, Banaue town on April 17. Director Tschetter expressed his sorrow at learning the news. “Julia was a proud member of the Peace Corps family, and she contributed greatly to the lives of Filipino citizens in Donsol, Sorsogon, where she served,” he said. Latest: Suspect Juan Duntugan admits to killing Campbell. Leave your thoughts and condolences .

---

Warren Wiggins: Architect of the Peace Corps Warren Wiggins, who died at 84 on April 13, became one of the architects of the Peace Corps in 1961 when his paper, "A Towering Task," landed in the lap of Sargent Shriver, just as Shriver was trying to figure out how to turn the Peace Corps into a working federal department. Shriver was electrified by the treatise, which urged the agency to act boldly. Read Mr. Wiggins' obituary and biography, take an opportunity to read the original document that shaped the Peace Corps' mission, and read John Coyne's special issue commemorating "A Towering Task."

---

The Peace Corps Library The Peace Corps Library is now available online with over 40,000 index entries in 500 categories. Looking for a Returned Volunteer? Check our RPCV Directory or leave a message on our Bulletin Board. New: Sign up to receive our free Monthly Magazine by email, research the History of the Peace Corps, or sign up for a daily news summary of Peace Corps stories. FAQ: Visit our FAQ for more information about PCOL.

---

He served with honor One year ago, Staff Sgt. Robert J. Paul (RPCV Kenya) carried on an ongoing dialog on this website on the military and the peace corps and his role as a member of a Civil Affairs Team in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have just received a report that Sargeant Paul has been killed by a car bomb in Kabul. Words cannot express our feeling of loss for this tremendous injury to the entire RPCV community. Most of us didn't know him personally but we knew him from his words. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. He was one of ours and he served with honor.

Read the stories and leave your comments.