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United Nations Volunteers Believes that International Arena is too Harsh

Chicago - Imagine climbing mountains in rural Pakistan to deliver supplies to civilians who are under terrorist rule, but having every action and move questioned by not only the local government but also members of the international organization one is volunteering for. That’s what Christopher Sunnen’s life was like in the winter of 2008.

            Christopher Sunnen, a care free soul with an athletic mind set and dusty blonde hair, volunteered in both rural and urban Pakistan from November 2008 to January 2009.

Sunnen was born in Saint Louis, but spent most of his childhood in Del Mar, a suburb of SD.

            Sunnen attended Saint Louis University for his undergraduate degree, and continued on to Saint Louis University’s law school. He graduated in 2004 with a Juris Doctorate.

            Sunnen’s love for international unity and volunteering did not develop randomly. He was offered a Fullbright Scholarship during law school. This opportunity allowed him to study for a semester at The University of Oxford in England. He also traveled through out his life.

            The opportunity to volunteer for the United Nations (UN) fell into Sunnen’s lap in the summer of 2008.

            “I was a park ranger in 1998 in Yosemite, California,” he said. “One of my friends was working for the UN and told me they were looking for volunteers in Pakistan.”

            Ten years later, Sunnen would embark on a life changing experience.

            “At the end of 2008, I had some free time, called my buddy up, and gave Pakistan a go,” he said.

            Sunnen believed that the major difference in Pakistan is not between the West and the East, but rather, between the rural and urban population.

            The rural population had a tendency to resist aid. “Rural population resisted the UN help. It might have been because of the fear of the West that has manifested, but they needed help, but would resist,” said Sunnen

            The urban population differed. The cities were more likely to accept the help. “The urban population wanted us there. They wanted water treatments and they wanted vaccines,” said Sunnen.

            One shocking aspect for Sunnen was the number of weapons that were carried amongst volunteers and civilians. During the interview, his face became washed out and there was sadness in his eyes.

            “One thing I wasn’t ready for was how much people were armed. Everyone was armed to the begeeses,” said Sunnen with an ironic chuckle.

            He told a story about how one time he had to shoot an AK-47. “I thought my shoulder was going to pop out of joint after that one,” said Sunnen.

            Sunnen emphasized the different treatment between himself, as an American, and other volunteers who were from other western societies.

            “As an American, I was definitely approached to be more cynical and strategic,” said Sunnen.

            The stereotypes of Americans were amplified for Sunnen while in Pakistan.

            “People would think I was only there for US interests, when I was really there because I wanted to help people,” said Sunnen, his voice becoming increasingly louder/powerful.

            Now, Sunnen is able to view the experience as something positive.

“It helped me see that a lot of people view America negatively, but also, America does do a lot of good that doesn’t make the papers. People are grateful for some of our actions,” said Sunnen.

Sunnen believed that the most enlightening part of the experience was seeing how the UN is worldwide.

“Working in the UN caused me to see how international the UN is. They have a European view of things. They are concerned with clean water, education, housing. Not war or power like the reputation the US has.”

This week, the UN has received criticism from international political actors for not being responsive in areas such as Haiti and the Sudan. Sunnen disagrees with these statements.

“[In Pakistan] the UN was very responsive or at least as responsive as they could be. The limitations did not come from the international arena. The local politics of both rural and urban Pakistan limited the responsiveness. They could only provide so much. The UN was definitely prepared,” said Sunnen.

When asked if the UN deserves the disapproval they have been receiving as late, Sunnen said, “People don’t want to see a multi-international organization step in and succeed. It freaks people out.”

Sunnen did emphasize that the UN does have faults in their procedure and overall implementation of aid.

“One problem is that we didn’t have enough security. That held us back,” said Sunnen.

He explained that the lack of security occurs because of the way the UN is set up. Each individual country decides how many volunteers or workers it can send.

“As an American, my country might be sending thousands of people to Pakistan, but I’m not going to have any different security than a guy from France. There is no security force that stops people,” said Sunnen.

When asked about the UN’s procedure in Sudan and Haiti, Sunnen believed that both situations were different from his own experience in Pakistan.

“Darfur and Haiti are even less stable [than Pakistan]. One hand, you help the people that accept the help. On the other hand, you lose help because it isn’t safe,” said Sunnen.

A confused look came across his face. “What I mean to say, is that the UN could definitely do more in Sudan, it is genocide. But security is a major issue for volunteers,” said Sunnen.

Sudan is under one of the largest genocides in the history of the planet. There has been very little international action to stop the genocide; however, the UN has attempted to create peace in the area.

Haiti had one of the largest earthquakes ever and a recent cholera out break, killing over 1,000 people, in the midst of an election. The country is still rebuilding. The UN is receiving harsh statements from states about their actions in the country.

“Haiti, there is no genocide. The situation is more organic. I’m not sure the UN deserves as much heat for that one,” said Sunnen.

Sunnen believes that this experience has changed his life forever.

“I will never take for granted what we have. God, that sounds cliché, but you know, going around to these places people were just grateful for vaccines,” said Sunnen.

He highlighted one of the key hardships within his volunteering experience. “When you’re in a third world country, there aren’t comforts you’re not used to: i.e. a clean bathroom,” said Sunnen.

Lastly, he emphasized a key difference between Americans and Pakistanis. “People in America refuse vaccines. That idea doesn’t make sense to these [urban] people because it is a matter of life and death,” said Sunnen.

Currently, Sunnen is residing in his childhood home of San Diego. He is working as a bankruptcy attorney; however, the quiet life of Southern California is not his style for much longer.

Sunnen plans on volunteering again for the UN later this year. He is unsure of the location but views his first experience as, “pretty amazing”.

Old Town: A Reflection of Chicago’s Past, Future, and Present

Getting off the Brown Line stop on Sedgwick Street, one can smell the evergreens that are for sale on every corner. The area is no longer in the Chicago grid. There is no logical organization of the cobbled stone roads. The neighborhood has a European feel; however, one is not across the pond, but rather, just northwest of the loop in a neighborhood called Old Town.

            Old Town borders Ogden Avenue to the Northwest, Clybourn Avenue to the Southwest, Larrabee Street to the West, Division Street to the South, and Clark Street to the East and Northeast.

            Before Chicago was even the city, the land that is now called Old Town was settled by the Native Americans, specifically the Potawatomi Tribe.

            The strong Native American heritage of the neighborhood can be seen throughout the area. Just two blocks north of Wells Street, one of the major streets in the area, are two streets called Menomonee and Wisconsin St; both names having robust lineage to the Potawatomi Tribe.

            The Native American history is dominant through out the area. Amanda Anderson, a twenty-three year old graduate from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI who recently moved to Old Town said, “Some of the street names are the same in Milwaukee. It made me feel back at home when I first moved here.”

            The Potawatomi Tribe moved north to Wisconsin after the Treaty of Chicago in 1833. After this agreement, German-Catholics settled the land and began to develop what it is today.

            A historic landmark sighting number 11 on Wells street said, “As farmers and laborers, the settlers converted marshland into meadows and gardens, growing cabbage, celery and potatoes. The area became known as Cabbage Patch.”

            Down Wells Street, one can see the significance of the German settlers with the number of bars and restaurants that are odes to German heritage.

            The area was hit by the infamous Great Chicago Fire. Old Town has one of the only buildings that survived the fire, St Michael’s Church. It was one of seven buildings to surpass the fire.

            After the fire, the neighborhood began to rebuild to what is today known as Old Town. The German neighborhood transformed into a safe-way for artists.

            The Historical landmark sighting number 13 said, “In the 1920s, Old Town began attracting artists looking for housing and studio space. Today the Victorian town homes within Burton Place reflect the influence of such artists.”

            Through time, the artist population began to grow throughout Old Town, as well as the Latino population.

            In the 1950s, Old Town became the first location for Puerto Rican immigrants to inhabit. The area was given the nickname of “La Clark” until the late 1960s.

            Along with the growth of the Puerto Rican demographic, gays and lesbians began residing in the neighborhood as well.

            Well Street was full of gay and lesbian bars until the demographic was pushed north into Lakeview. 

            Desean Clark, who has lived in Chicago for his whole life, said, “That’s a pattern in Chicago.”

Clark compared what happened in Old Town to the same thing that’s happening in Lincoln Park. “The neighborhoods are cheap, but rough. The area is not safe, but there’s potential. Immigrants and other groups that aren’t ‘acceptable’ for society live there because it’s cheap. Fix it up. And then a bunch of yuppies take over,” he said.

            Currently on Wells Street, there is no longer any form of gay and lesbian pride symbols or historical importance like with the Native America and German heritage that can be seen through out the neighborhood.

            On December 16, 1959, The Second City opened its doors. The Second City is an improve group. The troupe had their first show at 1842 North Wells Street; however, they moved to their present location, 1616 North Wells in 1967.

            Second City is still at the 1616 Wells location today, delivering laughter for thousands of Chicagoans and tourists.

            The alums of the group are apart of an elite group that include Dan Aykroyd, Mike Meyers, Stephen Colbert, and Tina Fey. Aykroyd, Fey, and Meyers have joined the cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL), while Colbert was once a co-host of “The Daily Show” with John Stuart, and now has his own show on Comedy Central called “The Colbert Report”.

            The theater has a special place in every Chicagoan heart. Brianna Biggers, a twenty-four year old Chicago resident, said, “Second City is one of my favorite places in the whole city. It’s always a good laugh… and you can’t really beat it.”

            Biggers continued to state that there is some excitement with seeing a show at Second City because of the celebrity status that some performers gain. “You never know who these people will become and how much it’s going to cost to see them later on. I mean, you’ve gotta take some risks sometimes,” she said.

            Wells Street is the heart and soul of Old Town. The street contains many mom and pop shops but there is also a mix of big chains such as McDonalds and Chase Bank.

            The street is iconic for the area and it highlights the true meaning and significance of Old Town.

            Wells Street has the feel of Chicago but also maintains a European infusion that is transparent through out the neighborhood.

            The street is lined with shops with a random gated apartment, townhouse, or condominium complex in the middle of the block.

            The neighborhood is a welcoming environment, but yet, has a cold and distant aura for a stranger to the area.

            Ben Mich, an Old Town resident, said, “I’ve noticed a race issue, but that is a theme throughout Chicago.”

            The 2000 the US Census Bureau found that North Chicago, the major region that Old Town is located in, is approximately 47.7% white and 36.3% black, which is compared to an Illinois state percentage of 73.5% white and 15.1% black.

            Mich continued, “Old Town is a great place, but it shows the same conflict between the races as the rest of the city. I’m not sure what to think about that. But you know what, Old Town is a direct reflection of Chicago, past, future, and present,” he said.

            Old Town is located in the 43^rd ward of Chicago. The current alderman is Vi Daley, who has no relation to the Daley family that has occupied the Mayor’s office for the past four decades.

            Old Town is a classic glimpse and mix of both European and Chicagoan making it a crucial neighborhood for the city. Anderson believes the same thing. “I haven’t been here long. But it already feels like home.”

            Old Town is a historic and representative neighborhood of the city of Chicago and a must see for every tourist and Chicago resident.

It's the End... Kind of?

I just finished my last paper for my undergraduate degree. That's kind of lie. I just finished my last fifteen paper for my major. I have one more paper left but it counts as a final, so I don't really count it.

The last couple of weeks, I have spent a lot of time alone. Not because I'm being emotional and depressed, but because I am the only one still in school, or at least it feels that way.

This self reflection has caused me to come to terms with a lot of things that are going to change in the next couple of weeks.

Last weekend, I had a conversation with Desean about myself, which is usually how it goes. He told me that I view all my friendships as black and white. Naturally, I tried to dispute that statement, but I realized it's true.
I do that. If you're not talking to me every day, responding to my crazy text messages, I'm going to be pissed.
If you're my friend, you have to be constantly up my ass and communicate with me, and if you don't do that,
well, then you're not my friend. Simple as that. But you know, that's not really healthy. It hit me that in the
next couple of weeks, if I don't come to terms with this personality issue, I'm going to not have any friends.
Therefore, I'm trying to change.

It's an up hill process. But I'm trying, that's something.

Any way, so I've been thinking about that a lot, which leads me to my next revelation. In my Latin American
Cinema class, we watched Motorcycle Diaries. The film was like my life, it was scary.

The film follows Ernest Guevara on a roadtrip through out Latin America. He was going on the same trip that I'm going to be going on, only south! I saw his transformation and it made me hope that my trip goes as successfully. I want to fully understand the US. I want to be able to know why some people vote Republican or why some people vote Democrat. I want to know what the hardships are for every region. I want to know how I can make life better for these people. Not even these people, but my fellow people. We are all American citizens and there should not be a divide between us.

The film has this quote, which states, "This isn’t a tale of derring-do, nor is it merely some kind of  ‘cynical account’; it isn’t meant to be, at least. It’s a chunk of two lives running parallel for a while,  with common aspirations and similar dreams." This caused me to really think about my life. It's okay that  college is coming to an end. As my roommate Amanda would say, "It's time for this chapter to end." For the first time, I actually feel ready for this chapter to end. I'm not leaving my friends. We can still talk. There's just going to be some distance, and you know what, I think we could all use some distance.

This past week has really made me rethink my life, and I've realized that I've gone full circle. Since I was young, every adult in my life believed that I was bound to become a politician or a lawyer. Through college, I have repented against this. I also felt like it was pushed on me and that I did not want to do what my mother and father wanted me to do.

I have finally realized that it was what I want to do. I want to make change. I want to give faith back to the people. I want to remind the US what it means to be the US. It seems to me that the state has lost their identity. It's very similar to an adolescent, which is in state age the era that the US is in. The state is rebelling. I want to help it through it.

My nieveness is shinning right on through me, but I think I'm prepared to take on the monster goal I have set before myself.