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Feb. 21, 2008 issue 17 Loquitur

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PAGE15

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Students come from far and wide

Asst. Sports Editor reflects on marathon

Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008

TIHE LOQUITUR YOU SPEAK, WE LISTEN

Radnor, Pa.

50

CABRINI COLLEGE

Vol XLIX, Issue 17

www.theloquitur.com

Speakers advocate global solidarity to raise awareness, inspire change GRAYCE TURNBACH

DIANA VILARES

A&E EDITOR

EVENTS EDITOR

GRT722@CABRINI.EDU

DVV722@CABRINI.EDU

VICKIE PAPAGEORGE

CHRISTINA MICHALUK

COPY EDITOR

ASST. FEATURES EDITOR

VP724@CABRINI.EDU

CMM736@CABRINI.EDU

Almost a decade ago, Ishmael Beah was running through the war-torn country of Sierra Leone, in western Africa, in hopes of living one more day or possibly being reunited with his family. Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008, he stood in front the Cabrini community, discussing his story of transformation from a boy soldier to an average 27-year-old American citizen. “I feel lucky and by the grace of God, I am standing here today,” Beah said while speaking with students about his book, “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier.” Beah arrived at Cabrini in time for the unveiling of the new book, “Stories of Transformation.” The book consists of a collection of personal narratives in search of the common good, written by Cabrini students and faculty, CRS representatives and people around the world that have been transformed by a specific moment in their lives that directly affected them. These inspiring stories go hand in hand with Beah’s remarkable account of his experiences as a child soldier. They embody the power to transform the manner in which society views the wounded world around them. “As human beings we are always dwelling in our differences and preconceived notions,” Beah said. Civil war erupted in Sierra Leone in 1991. The land that Beah calls home was subjected to atrocities caused by disagreements between the government and its people over diamonds and mineral resources. Before 1991, Sierra Leone was just another country in Africa that went unnoticed. Its rich culture and traditions among its inhabitants were never recognized. Sitting by the fire and telling stories, learning hiphop, going to school and learning Shakespeare were just some of the enjoyable things to do for Beah and most children his age at the time in their homeland, but after the war these pastimes were forgotten and wiped away.

Ken Hackett, president of Catholic Relief Services, and author and former boy soldier Ishmael Beah spoke at Cabrini’s 50th Anniversary Founder’s Day on Tuesday, Feb.19. Cabrini’s relationship with CRS has flourished in the last three years, as Cabrini has become one of four Catholic colleges partnered with CRS. Hackett spoke of the challenge of becoming dedicated to creating global solidarity. “Solidarity will transform the world,” Hackett said. “This vision statement is ‘fairly utopian.’ It is probably beyond our reach in our lifetimes, but it is an idea we strive for.” Hackett praised Cabrini for being the first college in its state to make community service part of its curriculum for undergraduate students where they learn and practice moral and social responsibility. Both speakers explained how important it is for students to connect to the rest of the world. Their encouragement was echoed by senior communication major, Yadira Toledo in her introduction to Ishmael Beah. “Coming to Cabrini three and a half years ago, I didn’t travel many miles from home for my college education, but in many ways, my experience here has introduced me to the world- not as a spectator, but as a participant, an agent of change.” Toledo is a CRS Fair Trade ambassador. “Through programs, skills, and activism, with the help of Catholic Relief Services, I have begun to understand the true meaning of global solidarity.” In the early 1990s, Hackett was the CRS regional director for Africa. He explained that although CRS had been in Rwanda for many years, they were shocked by the genocide in Rwanda. Despite CRS’s efforts to help Rwandans develop their country, there were deep-rooted tensions between ethnic groups that erupted in 800,000 Rwandans being slaughtered in 100 days. CRS saw that without fundamental justice, all their development work

BEAH, page 3

JILLIAN SMITH/PERSPECTIVES EDITOR

,_CABEINI ~

LLEGE

JILLIAN SMITH/PERSPECTIVES EDITOR

HACKETT, page 3

JILLIAN SMITH/PERSPECTIVES EDITOR

JILLIAN SMITH/PERSPECTIVES EDITOR

CRS President, pictured above with author Ishmael Beah address the cabrini community during the key note address in the Grace Hall Atrium.

JILLIAN SMITH/PERSPECTIVES EDITOR


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