It could not have been a lovelier mid-May Friday afternoon.
I was able to leave work early enough to accept an invitation from an Ambassador to the UN who graciously invited me to take a comprehensive tour of the United Nations.
Upon our first meeting, I had mentioned my aspiration many years before of becoming an interpreter at the UN, my major at that time being French. I had never been to the UN, but its broad humanitarian efforts appealed strongly to me.
The United Nations building stands tall alongside Manhattan’s East River. The main structure rises up forty stories and the adjacent building houses a library. There are several statues and sculptures gracing the rose garden. Multicolored flags billow overhead. While on the property, donated by the Rockefeller family, you are no longer on US soil.
Inside, among three floors, there was an astounding abundance of artifacts; paintings, sculpture, tapestries, gold and porcelain vases and urns originating from every corner of the globe. Portraits of past and present Secretary-Generals and other dignitaries lined the walls. One objet d’art of particular luminous beauty was an enormous Chinese tapestry depicting the Great Wall against a mountainous backdrop.
There was a keen sense of deep negotiation taking place. I met the Ambassador of Norway, who greeted me warmly with a firm handshake. I saw people of many nationalities grouped together in deep discussion. Seeing this international camaraderie represents every dream and wish I once had in my younger, more idealistic youth. Over the years that optimism has become tarnished, my hope fading as evil continues to be perpetrated upon humanity.
One of the intentions of this blog and of the Chicktalk discussions is to offer some positive input with regard to race and gender relations in this country and to bring about a sense of unity and peace among our citizenry. Visiting the United Nations has empowered me to push forward, to offer my voice and the voice of others willing to speak out in order to potentially manifest some positive growth.
A potent energy surged through me as I stood at the podium of the UN General Assembly. Is it merely pie in the sky optimism?
I never did achieve my dream of becoming an interpreter, my life zigzagged off in a different direction. I am grateful to Mr. Ambassador for bringing me into close contact with others who actively serve, and who now inspire. As Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanh states in his book, THE ART OF COMMUNICATING, “We each can do our part to contribute as a citizen, as a member of the human family. In the process of community building we get the transformation and healing we need to further the transformation and healing of the world.”
DebbHeart 