I recently reached a conclusion about which direction I would like to explore in the creation of my memory project, but for quite a while I was between two ideas and had a hard time weighing the benefit of one over the other in terms of the personal and academic growth to be gained. The two projects call for radically different methodology, and although I was ultimately able to decide with conviction on a course of action, I will list both here. This will give me a means of reflection on my intentions and also an opportunity for class members and professors to share their own insight into my processes and ideas.
My first idea was to delve into the topic of memoir writing by focusing on a specific aspect of my identity: my Jewish heritage. I would have sought to use a historical context to describe a “collective memory”, of society’s view of Judaism and establish a connection between this broader context and its influence on my own memories and experiences. My plan was to do some introspective writing into my own thoughts and feelings about being Jewish, which is a part of myself which I never fully embraced.
I would have liked to research the vastly different implication of being Jewish throughout history, and how that has changed in modern times. In our society Jews have assimilated more than ever before, and so I was raised with a drastically different view of my own heritage and religion than that of the preceding generations. Even from a young age I sensed that there was a negative connotation associated with being Jewish. At some distant point on the frontier of memory I shied away from it for fear of being singled out and discriminated against. I would like to research the historical context of anti-Semitism and its far-reaching influence across time other than just the Holocaust. I would use my writing and historical research to demonstrate anti-Semitism not as something of the past to be forgotten or as an isolated incident of the present, but a continuous and interrelated phenomenon. Although Middle Eastern politics are a complex and often emotional issue, I would even go so far as to suggest that anti-Semitism might be a factor in the world’s perception of the conflict in Israel in some ways. The clearest example of this would be recent political protests across Europe that have quickly morphed from being anti-Israel to attacking Jewish communities just as in the days of the pogroms.
Although there would be a lot to be gained from delving into these topics, my interests and abilities are a little more aligned with creative writing and I would like to explore the practice of that through a much different project concept. A couple of years ago, while working as an assistant in a Physical Therapy office, I had the pleasure of meeting an extraordinary woman who is recovering from the effects of a debilitating car accident. Throughout the months of working closely with her on her rehabilitation, we eventually transcended our professional relationship and became friends. During our lengthy PT sessions she had ample time to confide in me about her life. She told me about her childhood in Trinidad, her career in the police force and appointment to detective, and the tragic accident during a high-speed pursuit that left her in a coma. After a long and difficult recovery she applied to law school, where she studied abroad in Italy despite having to rely on two crutches. She eventually became assistant District Attorney, and was well on her way to District Attorney when a second car accident nearly made her a quadriplegic. It was at this point that I met her, as she began the recovery process again.
Her story is astounding, and speaks to her determination and indomitable spirit. I would especially like to focus in on those elements and qualities that have allowed her to persevere through so much adversity. Her story is already the subject of various news articles, but none that delve into the depth of her character the way I intend to. I hope that by recording her thoughts on this and her life’s story, I will be able to inspire others just as I was inspired. In addition to the learning that can come from the process of recording her story, there is the added benefit of being able to explore the project’s effects of my own ideas and experiences through my weekly journal. I didn’t want the fact that choosing this topic would be far more enjoyable work to be the deciding factor, but I believe there is merit in going with the first instinct and doing work that is both enjoyable and gratifying, which is how I have arrived at this conclusion for a project.
For anyone that is interested I will provide links below to some articles have already written about her compelling story:
http://nypost.com/2004/06/17/shields-of-honor-survivor-ex-cop-among-nypd-medalists/
http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/sacrifice-not-forgotten-article-1.582527