tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7106276119700837306.post6979617883681424918..comments2011-03-22T01:01:45.792-07:00Comments on Double Negative: A Not Unwelcome BeginningArtful Aid Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234446198270330641noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7106276119700837306.post-83586475216608466522010-01-13T17:48:14.115-08:002010-01-13T17:48:14.115-08:00What you are missing here is the evolution (or dev...What you are missing here is the evolution (or devolution, depending on your point of view) of Donor Aid workers. Lets take the example of Development worker Barbie. She starts out as the committed bright eyed and bushy tailed female. Loads of education, disillusioned (or so she believes) with western values and materialism. She decides to do something noble. The toughest job you’ll ever love, go “understand” people, whatever. For a while, as her armpit hair grows longer and she gives up deodorant, she may even succeed in approaching an approximation of the “real aid worker”. She can speak the local language, thow back the local brew, has learned to dance (rhythm! Its not exclusive to the developing world!) and can squat with the best of them in the pit latrines. But it’s all an illusion. Development Barbie can always go back to Gotham city, with flush toilets, hordes of people in cafes ignoring each other,chocolate cake and taxes (And yes, foie gras. I love the stuff myself). And most Barbies do go back. But those who don't end up slowly but surely transforming into Donor aid Worker or Well Paid Implementing Aid Worker for reasons varying from pressure (whaddya mean you don't have a landcruiser and you eat in local stalls? and when are you going to stop wearing dolls of the world clothing and cut your hair?) to the simple fact that given the opportunity, most of us like to make more money. Do we lose something in the gentrification process? I don't think there is any doubt.Rank and Filenoreply@blogger.com