Lessons From Spain

Wildfires, protests, and a pandemic that shook the lives of every person on the planet; just some of the events that characterize the past two years. Although tragic and difficult to watch, these events have caused me to want nothing more than to shine a light on these terrible events. It has caused me to want to be a journalist more than anything. However, I never expected this dream to be handed to me. That is when I stumbled upon a program affiliated with Oxford University, in Madrid, Spain. I would be able to take journalism classes with true journalists, finally taking my first step on the long path towards what I desire, the ability to shine a light on the truth. In Spain, I had the opportunity to talk to someone truly inspiring. A journalist from Madrid, working for an organization that helps those who are religiously persecuted.  Ms. Raquel Martin has spent time in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Cuba, and more. Ms. Martin described an event that truly made me rethink the world. She described a woman she met in Nigeria, a refugee from Boko Haram. This woman originally lived in a small town with her husband and child, and another baby on the way. One day, Boko Haram terrorists came and took her husband, however, she and her child escaped. After being on the run for months, the woman. her child and her newborn baby were taken by Boko Haram. She was beaten and raped in hopes of inducting her into the organization, and when she refused, her newborn was drowned. After escaping again, losing her other child, giving birth to a Boko Haram man’s baby, and losing that child, she was found by Raquel Martin. Ms. Martin took her to Spain, gave her a better life, and told her story. Ms. Martin inspired me and made me appreciate my privilege more than ever before. But her story also made me sad; a majority of the people on this planet are living in dire circumstances, yet people are so blinded by the conflicting media that they can hardly see what is happening. This is what led me to my personal mission, to shine a light on these terrible events, to pick through the lies and the bias, and show people what is fact. Because when it comes to people starving, or being persecuted, or being forced out of their homes, it isn’t about red and blue. These partisan games are preventing the needy from getting what is necessary and only helping those greedy enough to take advantage of the situation. Only through shining light on the truth, can we get through the darkness. My experience in Spain taught me that I am luckier than most people, to even have the opportunity to sleep comfortably at night, much less go to college. But I can use that privilege to help people, with journalism, with what is true. Nothing can progress if most people are consuming misinformation. The only way to give aid to those truly in need is to show the public what is actually happening, and why. Because then, the good-hearted will band together to help. Perhaps the politicians have the final say, but through the media, the public can influence that for what is right.