I thought I was an anarchist at the age of 14. In reality, I was more of a nihilist, at least by definition of what I wanted to see. I can remember sitting in my room, alone, listening to music and writing, but more importantly I was thinking. I remember the first time I thought about money, the almighty dollar, and realized that it really meant nothing. It was something that we had created and because it served a purpose we continued to use. I would ask my friends about these things, they wouldn’t ever have answers and they probably thought I was crazy, but I was thinking.
In November of 2002, I left for an LDS mission. I spent a few weeks of intensive language training and indoctrination and then they shipped me to Chile. When I arrived I defined myself as a Republican. I had voted in favor of what turned out to be the worst president we had ever seen, and I believed he was going to save the country. I believed because I didn’t understand. I was a good missionary. I studied a lot. I thought a lot. Old habits die hard and I questioned a lot.
During the first few weeks of being in Chile, I was confronted with a poster of Ché. I didn’t understand much Spanish and when I asked who the person was I thought they said Pinochet, because I didn’t understand. Later, my trainer, explained to me who he was in loose, vague terms. I later understood what that poster really meant, for a Chilean.
I learned Spanish quickly. After six months I was able to converse fluently, I could have a conversation. They put me in charge of a newer missionary which meant that I had to do everything for him. He thought he knew everything, because he had “las buena nuevas.” He offended people. He condemned people. He thought he knew, but he didn’t understand.
I returned to the U.S. after 15 months as a missionary. There were a lot of reasons, many personal, some global, but I returned. This then gave me the opportunity to understand.
I returned to Chile many times. I married a Chilean. I lived as a poor person in Chile. I learned to understand more than their language, I learned to understand their culture. I learned what politics meant in South America. I studied their history. I later referred to this time as my politicization whatever that means.
Language is the gateway to a world. Without learning Spanish I would have never known what I believe to know about Chile, about politics, about history. The most important things a person can learn in life are languages. The ability to communicate with others, to learn, to understand. Language is the key to new worlds, to new places, new ideas, to understanding. You can read about South America all you want, but until you speak their language, you can never understand. Once you understand you will know how little of the world you truly understand.
Peace. Amor. y Revolution.