Today was the last full day in Pine Ridge. We were split into two groups again today (the same groups as yesterday). My group went back to the work site, and the other group went on a tour of the Reservation. We got a lot of work done, and I am really proud of what we have accomplished. However, the most powerful part of the day, and perhaps the most moving part of the entire trip, was our reflection tonight on our experiences for the week. This trip has really changed my life. I have always loved doing community service, but none of my experiences have had such a significant impact on my life. I have learned so much about the Lakota people on this trip. They have a rich, beautiful culture that we have put down and ignored for far too long. I learned the power of really taking a step back and listening to others here. Before this trip, I claimed that I knew what listening was, but the truth is, we do not know what listening really entails in our culture. Listening does not mean paying attention to the parts of what someone says that will help your own argument. It means really considering—and respecting—what someone else has to say. It is so engrained in our culture to speak up—the loudest people seem to always have and “advantage” in “conversation.” But how can you really have a conversation with someone without listening whole-heartedly to what they have to say? Listening is wisdom, something American society tend to throw on the back burner behind the competition for self-interest.
This problem in American society worries me deeply. This experience was so meaningful to me, but I fear that people might only listen to the words “South Dakota” and then tune out the rest of what I have to say. This trip has been amazing—the people I met, the friends I made, the things I have learned, and the lives I have helped to change. I encourage anyone who can go to Pine Ridge Reservation to go, to learn, and to listen. It will really change your life.
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