Diciembre 10, 2005
Participating vs. Observing
Having been in the country a little over a week, I have yet to make contact with many relatives and other friends. When I arrive home at night, it is way past the acceptable 10 pm call cut-off time. When I do manage to briefly speak with them, they ask me what I have been doing. My answer has been that I have been “ayudando” with a Congressional campaign of a family friend. I stress that I am involved to learn and that it has been an eye-opening experience.
However, it is difficult to see where the line is drawn between observing and actually participating. What constitutes participating? Do I have to be a registered member of the citizen’s group/political party? If I help hand out campaign posters/stickers/literature, does that mean that I am officially a member of the campaign? Does the fact that I am riding around a car adorned with the citizen’s group/party’s name and colors mean that I am *part* of the campaign?
Around the strategy table, which is all inclusive including some teenage volunteers and others who have little to do with strategy, I have been asked by the candidate to add my input on simple things such as the layout of a new brochure. However, last night after a television debate, a few of us were sitting around giving reaction and analysis of some of the tense moments during the event, I spoke up and added my two cents, which gained some nodding heads in agreement. Yet, I have been very careful to remain in my place during the past week.
Some of the most enlightening moments during the past week have been my conversations with the 10 or so people affiliated with the campaign. I have been telling my educational background, personal experiences and prove that I am somewhat knowledgeable about Bolivian current events. So far, I have been accepted into the group (at least I think), which has been working for nearly two months before I had arrived.
It has been something that I have been struggling against, to determine whether I have retained my early observation mode or whether it was just a matter of time that I would be participating more and more. I must admit that at times the adrenaline rush is overwhelming, such as the preparation for and during the televised debate (more on that later). Campaign strategy can also be exciting, when you pick up little things along the way, about the way many journalists work in Bolivia.
Where is the line between participating and observing? Any ideas? I think this is unchartered territory for someone. That is why it has also been a struggle to know how much to reveal, because there hasn’t been a precedent with an experience like this.
Posted by eduardo at Diciembre 10, 2005 12:00 PM
Comments
Of course, by my account, if you are handing out panflets, brouchures or other the like, you are already participating. You have moved from the observation mode to the action mode. A political campaign can have centrifugal and centripetal forces. Kind of like a back hole, swallowing everything around. I would imagine it would be easy to stop observing and start participating. Specially when you are asked to.
However, don't look for any judgement. It is neither good nor bad, I think. It will be just one more experience you can add to your resume.
You have the luxury to do it for fun. Enjoy it!
Posted by: Miguel at Diciembre 12, 2005 05:21 PM