Author Archives: Grace Richmond

Peace as a Profession

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I first came into contact with the concept of peace studies after taking an online quiz telling me what major I would be best suited for. Like many, I had no idea what peace studies really meant, but after doing research I realized it was a perfect combination of the sociology I found so interesting, international relations, and activism. During my fourth year of studying in this major, I have found the quiz to be quite accurate, however as I inch closer and closer towards graduation I do have a sense of fear over what my future career may hold. 

Oftentimes after describing my major, I am asked if I want to be a diplomat. While of course this seems like a dream job, it is also a game of chance in which all the proper cards must fall into place. Because of this I always politely shake my head in response, and say “no, I am actually interested in working in the non-profit or inter-government field”. Each time I say this however, more and more doubt creeps in. Am I cut out for the high effort low (monetary) reward of the United Nations? What are the chances I would even get a position in the first place? As I have learned more and more about the human rights field, I am often left boggled by the extreme competition and menial pay its workers are left with. Of course, the social fulfillment of working for expanded human rights would be like no other job, but am I truly prepared to give my whole life to it? I imagine I will be pondering these questions for quite some time, however I also must examine the opportunities for peace as a profession and the sectors I would truly be interested in. 

I have always had a particular interest in unicef and the concept of children’s rights. Now, after spending significant time researching education for my thesis, as well as preparing to enter a career in teaching for the next year, I realize that this niche may be right up my alley. While Unicef does incredible work globally, there are many non-profit organizations that have similar goals. Save the Children is a charity organization that operates globally, funding missions to feed children, keep them safe, healthy and educated. It describes itself as “the first global movement for children, boldly declaring that children have rights”. While this organization operates on a large scale, there are many nonprofits with a similar goal working on a local level. One non-profit from my home town called Puertas Abiertas, specialized in working with the Spanish speaking community to give social assistance in a variety of ways. I volunteered with their daycare program, created to give kids and parents a head start at learning English before they enter primary school. Working hands on with communities in which non-profits can directly ask the people they are attempting to serve what their needs are can be a great benefit to peace building on the local level. While I am not sure that this is the work I will pursue, it has great value and serves communities that unicef or Save the Children may overlook in their global work.

Although I remain unsure of what size of organization I will eventually enter, one thing rings true for me, the desire to work with children, preferably in intercultural settings. Throughout my time in the peace studies department, I have learned a lot about the concept of othering, and how detrimental this can be to peace in our world. By working in something related to intercultural understanding, I can both expose myself to new things every day while working to do the same for others. Work at the United Nations or a small NGO may have very different day to day routines, however both aim to preserve the goodness of humanity and provide a more just world.

An Interview with Professor Tessa Venizelos

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Professor Tessa Venizelos

 When I chose to major in Peace Studies, I was aware of the common judgment that any humanities major is a waste of money. Regardless, I cared deeply for all the material I learned, and I have never regretted my decision. This confidence is only further enforced when I get the opportunity to talk to professionals in the field. I chose to speak with Tessa Venizelos, a professor here at Chapman University who has expertise in feminist and post colonialist theory.

I met Professor Venizelos last semester during one of my classes, and was extremely interested in her choice to get a master’s at the London School of Economics, a school I have dreamed of attending since highschool. As graduation looms, the nerves of a life in the “real world” get worse and worse, but talking to Tessa gave me the opportunity to feel hopeful about the future rather than just nervous. 

I began my interview by asking Professor Venizelos about her journey after graduating from Chapman. She explained her strong love of storytelling, and how this led her to take a job in a boutique while writing for free at a lifestyle blog. I enjoy hearing from professionals that they did not necessarily initially have things figured out, and instead tried different experiences in order to build their skills and realize what they wanted to do. This eased my nerves about making decisions post grad, helping me accept that I may not get the perfect job right away, and everyone is on a different path. 

Professor Venizelos then reflected on her time at the London School of Economics, specifically on the cultural differences she experienced while outside of the United States. Especially in a world pre 2020, where many Americans had not yet begun recognizing critical race and post colonial theory, Tessa was confronted by these ideas. The international nature of London helped with this learning, her classmates coming from around the world. While here, she was able to hear criticisms by others about the United States, and had to come to terms with the privilege she experienced in life as an American. As someone who wants to travel post grad, this was useful for me to hear. Although in Peace Studies we try to educate ourselves, when we are confronted head on and even blamed for the actions of our government it can be difficult to process. For Professor Venizelos this was the case, but it also allowed her to create connections across the globe and expand her mind.

“I Really Wanted to Tell the Untold Stories”
– Tessa Venizelos

LSE, attended by Venizelos, is a top Political Science institution.

Professor Venizelos said one thing in particular which really stood out to me, explaining that she “really wanted to tell the untold stories”. During this process, she had to learn when it was important to listen instead of talk, as well as deconstruct initial responses she had and really sit with things and reflect. This is a uniquely “peace studies” sort of perspective, however I wish it was adopted by everyone. Learning when to listen is what allows her to properly let women tell their own stories, rather than continue a cycle of reporting that has existed for so long.  

 What I appreciate about Professor Venizelos’ path is that she did not necessarily have a specific position or career in mind, but rather has focused on a passion. When asking her for advice to give to students, she asked me to think about what it is that I always come back to. This passion is what I should follow, listening to my inner voice and letting the experiences occur from there. This is something I will keep in mind as I move forward in the world, trying to forge my own path using the things I have learned with a Peace Studies degree.

A Reflection on “Shared Humanity: Conversations between Jews and Palestinians for a Better Tomorrow”

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As I walked into Chapman’s interfaith center one late afternoon for a conversation between a Palestinian man and a Jewish woman, I was unsure of what to expect. In recent months, the conflict of Israel-Palestine has become more and more divisive, leading to an uptick in polarity, hate speech, and misinformation. Even on Chapman’s sheltered campus, tens of thousands of miles away from Gaza, hostilities against Arab and Jewish students have arisen. As a peace studies student, conflicts like these are the bread and butter of our curriculum, but I wondered, how would other people in the Chapman community react? 

 

This question was answered as the room flooded with more and more people, new chairs being added at the ends of rows to fulfill the demand. Regardless of personal stance on the issue, those in attendance were there to learn from two experts in the field, and for the next hour and a half, we learned about a friendship that persevered because of a shared desire for understanding. Mira Sucharov had an interesting perspective as a Jew from Canada, who although is not an Israeli citizen, feels a deep personal connection to the country. Omar Dajani is an American born Palestinian whose father fled the country after Israeli occupation. Together these scholars have traveled to Israel-Palestine, teaching one another about their own perspectives on the region and sharing personal experiences. 

 

As Omar and Mira talked, I was surprised with their friendly repertoire with one another. It was obvious that although they are coworkers, they have a friendship beyond their work. This makes it all the more interesting that at times, they are forced to call one another out on issues in which they disagree. For example, Mira told the story of a recent New York Times article reporting on sexual violence against Israeli’s by Hamas. While Mira saw this as a legitimate source, Omar viewed the article as a potential catalyst for Palestinian hate, and questioned the validity of the claims within the article. It is moments like these in which Mira and Omar’s differing backgrounds shape their context and opinions. Although for some these conflicts could splinter a working relationship and friendship, Omar and Mira took the time to reflect on a middle ground, and how they could agree on legitimate sources in the future. To me, this serves as a prime example on the way to peace in the Israel-Palestine conflict. First, the acknowledgement of differing experience, and then finding what facts or emotions can be mutually agreed upon. 

 

Throughout the discussion, I was left with the impression that Omar and Mira wanted to clarify they had a unique position within this conflict. While they are both individually affected, they are also a degree of separation from the conflict- neither of them currently residing in Israel-Palestine or experiencing the horrors of war. This allows them to come to mutual understandings that others in the line of direct fire may not have the chance to. Regardless of this separation however, they are experiencing the pain and fear that Jews and Palestinians are feeling across the world. Omar’s fear of what comes tomorrow, and how long suffering will continue. The pain of hate speech within their own communities, where Mira’s children have expressed a fear to show their Jewishness. While these tensions remain, the friendship between Mira and Omar serves as a hope for what tomorrow could hold, a world in which everyone can see their shared humanity.