The photo in the blog captures three people making their way through ancient city gates. The oldest man is walking; perhaps the grandfather, a younger man is seated on a donkey; perhaps the father, and if you look very carefully you'll see a small child also on the donkey; perhaps the son. The gates are in ruin but are clearly very ancient, likely from the time Alexander the Great. The city itself is no longer there. In the distance the mountains remind the viewer that Afghanistan's geography, climate, and mountain ranges pre-date its antiquity and are part of its future. The symbolism in this single frame is very rich and captures much of what we see transpiring in Afghanistan right now. I'm sure we can each draw our own meanings from this photo. Please feel free to comment on your own interpretations. Here are a few of mine.
The gates are extremely symbolic. Gates exist to keep others out, to guide others in, to separate, and to welcome with great fanfare. These gates are very clearly solid, apparently made with local bricks and mortar, and have withstood the punishing effects of time. They have been worn down and crumbled in places but are stoically stubborn, resilient, and persistent. The gates have outlasted the city which they were built to protect and have survived it all.
The grandfather is escorting his son and grandson out through the gates toward the vastness and uncertainties of the plain in front of them. I find this symbolic of Afghan's future. It is not entirely clear what lies ahead for the country but there is most certainly a mountain ahead that needs to be climbed. It is a challenge for the young to undertake and with some help. I guess that makes me the donkey.....oh well I've been called worse.
Afghanistan's future lies in its youth and the journey ahead is sure to be slow. That theme is reflected in the title I've chosen for the blog: Forward Motion. The title recognizes that one year's contribution by a group of well-intentioned Canadian police officers and their families back home will not significantly change the political, economic, or security landscape of Afghanistan. Rather, at best it will keep the Afghan momentum moving forward. Afghans know what it is they want and they've spoken clearly in the polls that the UN has conducted. They want above all security, liberty of education, the opportunity to earn a living, own property, and reliable legitimate governance by Afghans. The goal of our mission is to help them set up the institutions they have identified to meet these ends. This time line is measured in years, not months. Our contributions may be only a speck of sand in the desert but the desert is better off because of it.
Thanks for checking in.
Ken.
