Mödlareuth

It's Monday morning, and today we're all visiting the tiny, 50 resident village of Mödlareuth. This town is referred to at Little Berlin, because of the way it's been divided throughout history. In 1810, the kingdom of Bavaria and the principality of Reuss split it right down the center, setting up boarder markers that still stand today. After WW1 the towns loyalties were divided but they still shared the pub, school and church. After WW2 when Germany was divided into four occupation zones, the boundary lines followed the ones from 1810, once again dividing this minute town between the US and the Soviet Union. As time passed and the two different governments developed (capitalist va socialistic), a 9 foot wall was constructed along the boarder, keeping citizens on their respective sides with land mines and barbed wire. Neighbors who used to be able to see one another from their yards were no longer allowed to even wave at each other over the wall. One could only pass if given special permissions and paperwork. Families were divided and the towns cultural life suffered greatly as a result. In 1990, the wall in Little Berlin fell along with the wall in "big" Berlin, and once again the citizens of this microcosm of Germany were able to interact with freedom. As our tour guide told us stories from his childhood in the town, I was once again reminded what a difference personal accounts make when learning about history in order to create a sense of true and thorough understanding. It also made me question the logic of the decisionmakers at the times following the war. Why couldn't the boarders just be adjusted slightly to avoid dividing a town with such a small population? Were they totally devoid of rational reasoning? There's so much that is hard for me to wrap my head around about the war and the resulting measures that were implemented.

After the tour and museum, we sit outside and debrief with the professors. Someone compares what happened in Mödlareuth with what is currently happening in Mexico and the new Arizona law. I disagree, pointing out that the historical context surrounding each place is vastly different. Especially because no one was trafficking guns, drugs and people and across the boarder between either side of Mödlareuth, nor were the citizens of the small town inciting violence. I'm immediately criticized before I can get my point across - I'm not talking about the AZ issue, I'm talking about clear differences in the history and the historical context between the two. Annoyed and frustrated, I'm done with the discussion. I feel this is the ugly side of social work - an almost self righteous indignation whenever a popularly accepted belief is challenged.

On the way home I ask Ashely, who's been a valuable source of feedback for me about the way I present my perspective, what I can do differently to avoid immediate criticism and still be heard. Her answer? I can't. My ideas are so different from that of a typical social worker. Infused with patriotism, emphasis on the value of small business in the community and the economy, and some less-than-liberal perspectives on the size of government, I'm going to face criticism wherever I go. BUT while people may disagree right away, she says, I still get them thinking. She tells me that I've changed her perception of certain issues and policies, particularly concerning small businesses, as I share the impact some recent measures have had on my entrepenurial family and friends. Food for thought. If I want to get my point across and have my voice heard, I better let go of my need to be liked and accepted by everyone. I'd rather get them thinking. I have enough friends who love me for me, no matter what my opinions are. I didn't get into this profession to meet the status quo. I came to change it.

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