Blog Post #3-Daniel Mitchell-Global Citizenship
I think my view of global citizenship is shaped in many ways by my religious views. I find the teaching of my Church often encourages me to think about how my actions have global ramifications and about people suffering from oppression, poverty, and war. For me global citizenship really represents making decisions for yourself while keeping in mind how they impact other people. The US has significant reach as a global super power and as a result many of our luxuries can come at the expense of people across the globe. While I certainly believe it is impossible to fully eliminate any product that is complicit in injustice, I do believe there is importance in trying to be mindful of how my consumption impacts others.
I think by nature of being able to travel to other nations, and easily access news, media, and products, from other natures I am inherently a global citizen. Rather, my bigger question is the quality of citizenship. While I genuinely think I do a good job at being globally aware and trying my best to contribute to globally good and avoid certain products I certainly think there is more that I can do.
As a result of this trip I hope to be better at being environmentally conscious in my daily practices. While things like not using a plastic grocery bag, as they have been banned in my hometown, I want to try to reduce other forms of single use plastic. While this obviously doesn’t do a ton to address energy transition it is a way I can help reduce the amount of oil consumed and plastic created.
Daniel, it's great to hear how your faith has influenced the way you view and exercise global citizenship. As someone who is also religious, I agree that being a global citizen comes with the responsibility to look after others as well as how our actions affect others. I admire how self aware you are about how you act as a global citizen especially taking into account how you are acting globally. It's great how you are already taking the right actions that take into consideration the environment. This trip has also helped me be more environmentally aware as well as learn more about sustainability practices. It's such a privilege to be able to participate in trips like this that give us the oppourtunity to learn hands-on how to be global and ethical citizens.
ReplyDeleteDaniel, I particularly enjoyed reading your post. Especially your point on quality of one's global citizenship. I honestly had to stop and think about that question as it is such an important question.
ReplyDeleteYour post made me reflect on my own actions. It's one thing to say that I am aware of different cultures, and the struggles that people face around the world, but it's another thing to ask what I am actually doing to contribute positively and help address those issues. For example, I know the environmental impact of excessive consumption, yet I still buy a lot of takeout and create unnecessary waste. This almost invalidate my earlier argument in my post that being a global citizen means taking steps to learn, because learning does not equal being proactive.
I appreciate you bringing this point up, as it has helped me reflect on my values as a person.
Hi Daniel!
ReplyDeleteAfter spending the past two weeks traveling around Freiburg, Vienna, Zurich, and Budapest with you, I see how your actions and words reflect your faith. You practice what you preach in that you make decisions while also thinking about your family, friends, and everyone you meet.
In my opinion, your expertise on current events and global conflicts is far above the knowledge of any other student on this trip. However, you are right in that we can all do more to make better decisions for the sake of the planet. Compared to the practices of the students at the University of Freiburg, we are miles behind. I remember you mentioning that you are excited to bring your vehicle to campus next year.... perhaps you would consider bringing a bike instead? Of course, I am not being serious, but I do admire your goal to reduce your use of single use plastic. Small steps like this are a good start to living a greener life. Keep up the great work!
- Macy Bayer
Hi Daniel,
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to hear how your taking steps to be a global citizen even at home. Part of being an active global citizen is learning from other cultures and adopting healthy practices from it. It's great that you are trying to make environmentally healthy practices as a result of your experience abroad. If we all make the same effort in reducing our single use plastic waste then we can make a small improvement in our communities. Thank you for sharing!
Hey D. Mitch! While my philosophical and ethical groundings are different from yours, our conclusions of the importance of reducing suffering around the globe are the same. I believe that the United States has a significant duty to stop sponsoring so much injustice and suffering across the globe in regards to slavery and other global conflicts/wars. Despite my hope for a future utopia, I hold these hopes under scrutiny of the real nature of how the world works. The world is and always will be imperfect, but progress can always be made.
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