It adds up

After a semester long of learning about food, specifically how we should eat it, what we should eat, and how we should distribute it, has come to an end. And what do we have to account for it? I believe, that everyone in this Colloquium class, has always and will probably always have a different idea of what we learned, and what we should take from this class. I know, on my own personal view, I came into this class clueless and not sure how I felt about my own diet and the world food system. Now, after ten weeks, I have realized I need to pay more attention to what I eat, and focus more on how I can help to make my part. Yes, I still have some reservations, but I am not being close minded to accepting any change, as I most likely would have at the beginning of the semester.
Just as Farmer describes his power: Doctoring is the ultimate source of his power, I think. His basic message is simple: This person is sick, and I am doctor. Everyone, potentially, can understand and sympathize, since everyone knows or imagines sickness personally. And it can’t be hard for most people to imagine what it would be like to have no doctor, no hope of medicine” (295). I would like to think as our class’s simple message of power is similar to Farmer’s: Food is the ultimate source of power, I think. Our basic message is simple: This person is hungry and needs help, we are people and can help. Everyone, potentially, can understand and sympathize, since everyone knows or imagines food personally. And it can’t be hard for most people to imagine what it would be like to have no food, no hope of health. We all saw a need in the School Lunch Program, so we helped with our power by gleaning and educating youth. We were even able to raise money to transport students so they could glean on their own. Whether we would like to accept it or not, we have all made a difference by being in this class to the School Lunch Program. While some have helped more than others, and some don’t see it, we have made some change in at least one student’s life to pay attention and eat a little healthier, because we were there---to go gleaning with them, or to educate them on eating healthy.
We have all made a change to the Marin School Lunch Program. I have even made a change to my food lifestyle, as of recently, and I am sure I am not the only one. Although things may seeem futile in the beginning, small gestures “add up”. Just as our change to the lunch program will help students eat healthier. Just as I will get a healthier life. These gestures only continue to grow, bring hope, and make a change.