Does anyone know how to pick a yummy turkey when it’s still alive and pecking about in the dirt of a market stall?  And then what do you do with it?  Is there a way to make a pumpkin pie made from real pumpkin has that good old fashioned flavor like it came out of a can?  Do only people in North America eat cranberries?  These are the dilemmas that we face celebrating Thanksgiving in Mexico.  And though we’re being conscious and critical of the  holiday’s legacy of colonialism, and probably won’t end up eating turkey at all (the majority of us are vegetarians) we are still looking forward to the feast, gathering together our San Cristobal extended community and giving thanks. 

There are many, many things I am thankful for, but high on the list are our wonderful Mexican and North American friends that know how to cook!  It is truly a blessing to be surrounded by a supportive, conscientious, politically active community.  This is a difficult place to be- the demanding work we’re doing, the issues we face personally and seeing the structural injustice and poverty all around, our struggles with acculturation.  Having a space like the Peace House for reflection and support is a necessity. 

This month we completed our workshop on Privilege and International Solidarity.  The discussions were intense, processing our role here, how we are seen by Mexicans, the privilege we carry with us, what solidarity should look like.  We will continue to struggle with these issues our whole lives, but we concluded on a positive note remembering the reasons we are here, the skills and compassion we have to offer, reaffirming our belief that making these personal commitments and connections towards creating a different world is not only possible, but essential. 

This month, Kara and I reflect on our experiences as outsiders and how our work here connects to larger social justice struggles.  I am thankful for everyone with big dreams and big hearts.