Observation and Application (from Courtney)

Paul Farmer clearly sets a heroic example for the rest of the world. But instead of idolizing the man, like a defenseless infant looks up at the fireman who saved its life, his example is best honored by following it. His efforts have ultimately manifested on a worldwide scale, as noted by Kim Jim when the World Health Organization adopted new prescriptions for dealing with MDR-TB, who wrote to Tracy Kidder, “the world changed yesterday (299).” However, what strikes me most about this statement is that Kim Jim did not say, “Paul Farmer changed the world yesterday.” This distinction may seem trite, but upon closer inspection, it reveals itself as the mountain beyond the immediate mountain. Furthermore, he seems to have managed the most daunting mountain above all: Pride. Pride has scared me out of taking action countless times. I had such a strong desire, but never could I manage the fact that affecting change upon the world takes time. I wanted to be world-renowned for impacting the world in a positive way, and I believed that I could, but I didn’t want to admit that true belief goes beyond thought. Until I began treating people I met every day the way I believed the world should be treated, without any recognition other than the internal sense of strength, I hadn’t truly believed what I thought.

Just about everyone on Earth can recognize a problem when certain veils are lifted, but few reach the conclusion that global problems affect them personally. And barely anyone actually takes responsibility and acts to solve such problems as Farmer has. This colloquium also struck me, which is why I decided to take the classes over medieval studies or some-such option. I want to help change the world, but the things that need changing are almost inextricably entwined and stacked upon one another that taking action requires a superhuman level of focus. However, recognizing that the simple, local injustices are powerful indications or symbols of the complex, global injustices has made action seem more plausible. Conversely, Farmer stands as a powerful symbol for the simple, local solutions that eventually turned into their own massive movement.