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Seeds of Change: What motivates Revolutionaries?
Amy Randel
March 19, 2008
Chris Carey- On Democracy
Portland State University
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In the book Mountains beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder and The film the
Agronomist we see two snapshots of people who have given up everything for others.
While their pursuits took very different shapes, they were both driven by similar intrinsic
and intangible forces. (Kidder, 2004) (Demme, 2003)Beyond even these examples
there are millions driven by this idea of human obligation. This common denominator of
the idea of being compelled by something bigger than them links together
philanthropists and human rights workers worldwide. This idea of obligation transcends
social, geographical and cultural boundaries. Let’s take a look at these two remarkable
characters as well as what has motivated others to devote their lives, and try to get to
the center of this drive.
As we only begin to get a glimpse of in the Kidders portrait of Paul Farmer, his
life’s work has influenced the country of Haiti and the world health community forever.
(Cleavland, 2003) "To say that Dr. Paul Farmer is a life saver does not begin to describe
the impact of his work," said Teresa Heinz, chairman of the Heinz Family Foundation
while awarding him the Heinz Award for the human condition.
"Dr. Farmer and his extraordinary organization have been a force in making the
world confront the health care needs of those who historically have never had
access to proper care. Because of his dedication and compassion, critical health
care services are now being administered around the globe to people who
previously would have been left untreated." (Cleavland, 2003)
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This idea of understanding people’s motivations is a central theme in Tracy
Kidders portrait, Mountains beyond Mountains. Kidder first introduces us to Harvard
medical school graduate Farmer when he meets up with him in Haiti. He then goes on
to tag along through all of farmers many struggles bringing healthcare to the masses of
Haiti. As the story winds on, through kidders testimonial anecdotes we begin to get a
clear picture of what makes farmer tick.
One of the times where Farmer is most explicit in his motivations is a
conversation with Kidder where he is explaining how he justifies the extreme sacrifices
he makes, including being away from his family and home for great lengths of time.
“If you're making sacrifices, unless you're automatically following some rule, it
stands to reason that you're trying to lessen some psychical discomfort. So, for
example, if I took steps to be a doctor for those who don't have medical care, it
could be regarded as a sacrifice but it could also be regarded as a way to deal
with ambivalence. I feel ambivalent about selling my services in a world where
some can't buy them. You can feel ambivalent about that because you should
feel ambivalent. Comma.[24] (Kidder, 2004)
In this statement he states pretty explicitly that he believes that this obligation I
something he strongly believes everyone should feel. Throughout the novel he echoes
this sentiment that self sacrifice is something each person owes to those in need.
Kidder makes very clear the line Farmer draws between true, profound self sacrifice and
superficial charity:
“He is not very sympathetic even to those who might be considered allies,
especially the white liberals, or "WLs" as he calls them, who "think all the world's
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problems can be fixed without any cost to themselves." [40] He ridicules the
hippie liberals who dress in peasant clothing. "The poor don't want you to look
like them. They want you to dress in a suit and go get them food and water.
Comma." [100] (Kidder, 2004)
From the very beginning of his practice, or even from the time he decided
to study medicine, his mission of championing for the disenfranchised was pretty
set. His motivation to serve came from the very core of his being, and in his eyes
was his sole purpose in life.
Jean Paul Dominique’s journey to devoting his life to public service is in
many ways similar and contrasting the Farmers journey. Like farmer Jean
Dominique’s legacy in his field is one for the history books. The work of jean paul
in establishing the only independent media outlet in war torn Haiti, with his Radio
Haiti, and speaking out against corruption inspired a nation to learn. Through his
years of working to inform the people he was arrested and even exiled. His
bravery was even the cause of his ultimate demise. Jocelyn McCalla, NCHR
Executive Director, in a statement released shortly after his death says:
“Jean Dominique pioneered a revolution in mass media communication in
Haiti by embracing Haitian Creole as the medium of choice and giving
voice to the poor and the oppressed. Many came forward to follow in his
footsteps and champion basic liberties and freedom of the press. His
death is a great loss at a critical time for the country.” (About Jean
Dominique, 2004)
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Unlike Farmer however, Jean Paul did not originally intend to become a hero. He
started out his life as an agronomist, working to improve field and crop production. In
the 1950s, he studied plant genetics in Paris, and only upon his return to Haiti did he
become involved in politics. After inheriting Radio Haiti from the death of the stations
manager, the revolution began. (Bell, 2004)
Where as self sacrifice is the very fiber of Farmers work, it is something of a biproduct of Dominique’s work. “The only weapon I have is my microphone and my
unshakable faith as a militant for change, veritable change,” he once said. (About Jean
Dominique, 2004). Interestingly however they both viewed their work as a revolution.
Another way in which these men differ pretty fundamentally is the way they view
the world. In the case of Farmer the world community, and especially the developed
world, is something he views with contempt. (Kidder, 2004) Despite this contempt, he
views most of the problems he faces from a worlds view, such as the organization he
helps to found, Partner in Health, an organization that mobilizes the world health
community to fight issues. While he views the apathy of the masses as sickening he
understands the power in harnessing and collaborating collective resources. This
comes back to his very inward and personal motivation to create change.
While Farmer views individual countries and problems through the larger scope
of the world, Jean Paul views the whole world though the lens of how relates to Haiti.
The most striking example of this is in “The Agronomist” when he is discussing how
each of the US presidents has affected the situation in Haiti. While he is saddened by
this world influence, he understands and seems to accept that’s how the world works.
(Demme, 2003).
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Above all the thing that these two figures share is their unquenchable obligation
to making things right. “I can’t sleep. There’s always somebody not getting treatment. I
can’t stand that.” Says Farmer [24] (Kidder, 2004). Around the world people echo this
feeling of personal obligation in the field of public service.
So what drives other world leaders? We can see a fantastic example in one of
the twentieth century’s most influential figures, Dr. Martin Luther king. Similarly to
Farmer he viewed change as something each and every person was responsible for.
Like Jean Paul, Dr. King fought to give the disenfranchised a voice, and ultimately lost
his life, though his legacy lives on. “Three decades after King was gunned down on a
motel balcony in Memphis, Tenn., he is still regarded mainly as the black leader of a
movement for black equality” Says Jack E. White of Time Magazine. (White, 1998).
Similarly to jean Paul Dr. Kings work began with something of an epiphany.
As King told the story, the defining moment of his life came during the early days of the
bus boycott. A threatening telephone call at midnight alarmed him:
"Nigger, we are tired of you and your mess now. And if you aren't out of this town
in three days, we're going to blow your brains out and blow up your house."
Shaken, King went to the kitchen to pray. "I could hear an inner voice saying to
me, 'Martin Luther, stand up for righteousness. Stand up for justice. Stand up for
truth. And lo I will be with you, even until the end of the world.'" (White, 1998)
He saw himself as a champion for those without a voice. He also shared the
common denominator of contempt for apathy. “He who passively accepts evil is as
much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without
protesting against it is really cooperating with it.” Says Dr king in an early interview
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speaking on the oppositions within the black community to civil rights. (The Lost voice of
protest, 1997)
This idea of personal sacrifice, as well as an obligation to change is something
we see across all boundaries. When considering the obligation these people feel, we
can conclude that this quality is both intrinsic and intangible to these select few.
Whether they initially set out to change the world like Farmer, or sort of fell into it like
Jean Dominique and Dr. King, the vision and passion of these people have shaped the
world as we know it.
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Works Cited
About Jean Dominique. (2004). Retrieved March 10, 2008, from Haiti Surf:
http://www.haitisurf.com/jeandominique.shtml
Bell, U. (2004). 'The Agronomist' Life and Work of jean Dominique. Retrieved March 9, 2008,
from UN Chronicle online edition: http://www.un.org/Pubs/chronicle/2004/issue2/0204p30.asp
Cleavland, S. (2003, August). Social Medicine & Health Inequalities. Retrieved March 13, 2008,
from Brigham and Women's Hospital:
http://www.brighamandwomens.org/socialmedicine/aboutfarmer.aspx
Demme, J. (Director). (2003). The Agronomist [Motion Picture].
Kidder, T. (2004). Mountains Beyond Mountains. New York: Random House .
White, J. E. (1998, April 14). The Time 100- Martin Luther King. Retrieved March 14, 2008,
from Time Magazine.com: http://www.time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/king.html