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Student Experiences

Bradford Baker - Comparative History of Ideas

Bradford's Project - Humanitarianism as neo-colonialism: a critique of contemporary US humanitarian action in a post-colonial Africa

The basic question that I am asking within this project is 'how does helping help?' I wanted to look at the space between a privileged US helper and a subaltern African helped to see if the US's current approach to aid is actually creating change, or if it is just re-inscribing colonail systems of power. To collect data, I spent 3 months traveling overland from Cairo to Cape Town to witness the ways in which US humanitariansim is currently manifesting itself. Then, I spent 3 months living in Cape Town to coduct more indepth research within one specific community.

When, how, & why did you get involved in research?

Human suffering does not exist in the abstract, it exists in the real. I genuinly beleive that those of us with privilege have an obligation to work alongside those struggling for a more just world. However, it is my fear that the way in which 'helping' is currently manifesting itself in Africa is not being done in a way to create genuine change. My reasons for doing this project are to explore that action and better understand what its outcomes are. I am dedicating my life to working towards what is at the core of humanitarianism - the alleviation of human suffering - and therefore this research project has provided me with an incredibly unique opportunity to better understand how that actually happens, in practice and not just in theory.

This has been such an amazing and rewarding experience, on a multitude of levels. However, it is also deeply frieghtening. Because one of the central questions within this project is, 'what does it mean to be human'. As a humanity, we are capable of so much good. However, asking that question has been painful because during this research I have witnessed first-hand the horrific barabrity that we are capable of unleashing upon each other.

What advice would you give to other student

Its hard. There is no question about that. In many ways you are looking directly into the inner workings of humanity and critiquing something that is suppose to be inherently good. However, at the same time, this type of research is absolutely vital because this type of work contributes to the ways in which our humanity progresses forward.

Future Plans

Apply for the Carnegie Endownment for International Peace and the Mitchell Fellowship. Continue working in the struggle towards peace, justice, love, solidarity, and revolutioin. Ave the world by trying to be a good husband and a good father.

Acknowledgements

There are SO many people that have helped me in this process.

Awards and Honors