Name: Devon Beechley
Instagram: @Devon_Beech_
Major: Global studies and a minor in French
Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska.
Year: Junior.
Favorite Book and Why?
My favorite book of all time is “Giovannis Room” by James Baldwin. It follows the story of a man named David living in Paris in the 1950s and falling in love with a man named Giovanni. The story follows David as he falls in love with this man all the while waiting for his girlfriend who has left for Spain in order to contemplate marriage. The story is about love lost, longing and guilt while it discusses tragedy and pain. It was a full length mirror watching David make poor decision after poor decision, being the upmost naive and selfish (in parts) about his life. David did his best, in the end his best left him alone. David and Giovanni are both escaping great pain and suffering from their home countries and found each other at the wrong time in the right place. Both men confront each other with their feelings of love and shame for being homosexuals. And that internalization of shame will, as I feel Baldwin was trying to show me, always lead to more suffering; both in isolation and heartache. This novel broke my heart and made me reflect on who I was and who I needed to be in order to be happy.
Baldwin as a writer is intoxicating, and though “Giovannis Room” is my favorite book, it isn’t my favorite book by James Baldwin. Baldwin writes with such fire and poetic flow that it is as if sailing across an ocean, a mixture of literary climates with it’s crashing highs and serene calm lows. This book was my first step in accepting who I was, and helps be who I want to be.
Favorite Movie and Why?
Wes Anderson’s movie, “The French Dispatch” follows four journalist as they contribute stories to the final issue of the magazine of the name of the film. An anthology about the fictional city of Ennui France, how it is formed and what little secrets its held; a story about an unhinged and animalistic painter locked in prison becoming the best painter in France; a love story in the throws of revolution, the naivety of youth and their stubbornness in pursuit of liberty and its cost; finally ending with a story of famous police chef, and the kidnapping of the commissioners son Gigi. This is a movie about a time now lost, an ode to the free press, and to the people who make them. Fashioned like an issue of the New Yorker, I fell in love with the presentation, the color, dialogue, music and overall layers stacked onto this wonderful film. Anderson’s humor is dry and nuanced, his acting troops containing several Oscar winners and notable figures. I love this film because I love books. I love literature and the stories of those who make it. I always wanted to be a writer and this movie shows me the commonality between these diverse writers and their stories: loneliness. Each writer of the stories are alone in their own, unique way. It is that separation, from family, friends and their profession that binds them together at the end of the story. I loved this movie because it made me feel pride, joy, heartbreak, and loss. But as Baldwin once wrote: it is that loss that is a bridge to love and through pain.
Why Global Studies?
I study global studies because I believe in diplomacy, and I believe in cooperation. I apply myself to these principles in my global studies courses because I have seen the power that diplomacy and shared problems can bring. I chose to study policy because as an American, we have a duty to help other nations with our extensive wealth. The baggage of the United States and her military historically have lacked ethics in the global south and today still have problems that are causing havoc. My dream is to work on behalf of that government and bring change to the institution, change it from within to bring more compassion and cooperation to the countries we have negatively effected. It is more than a calling, it is the responsibility of the United States to take account of their failings and help with solutions to save lives and make them better. I will be an agent of that change with my education.
I chose to study French because my dream is to live and work in Sub-Saharan Africa. I study both French and Swahili as well as regional politics and history of the region of the continent. I chose these field of study because change is more than just possible, it is assured when we actually do that work.
Some of my favorite classes have been my special interest ones. For instance my intro to African studies class taught by Dr. Dawne Curry was by far the best way to introduce myself to the histories and politics of the continent. Dr. Curry gives context on the modern day by informing you through a series of events that influence the modern world. For instance analyzing ethnic diversity on the continent influences the modern politics after colonization. This class was incredibly important to get the first steps into policy specific to Africa. Another class was my class on Israel and the Middle East with Dr. Ari Kohen. The region is complex, the politics are difficult and delicate but Dr. Kohen teaches in a way that lets the student challenge their ideas of learning and come to their own conclusions. Policy classes are the most important to take as they inform people on the system that lets them operate in the world. I suggest that anyone who wants to work in government take a wide range of class with diverse subject matter. Special interest classes are fun and provide new perspectives on complex issues.
When I was 18, I travelled to Kenya alone to live and work with my friend who had started his own charity. We did beach cleanups, donated food and water to people in need and worked with journalists to shoot a documentary about climate change in the region. I was my first time on a plane, and the first time leaving the country. I learned a lot from that trip, including some Swahili language, but the most important thing I took away from that trip was a desire to go back and learn more about the country and the continent. I worked with programs like USAID and international organizations that were geared towards helping people. I have seen first hand the good work that diplomats can do on the ground.
When I returned to the US for college, I also received an opportunity to study at the University of Bourgongne in France. I learned French language and about the international coalitions that provide aid to areas of need. I was more excited to go out in the world and solve problems with the skills I learned and the opportunities I’ve had. Saint Agustine once wrote that: “life is a book, and those who do not travel only read one page.” I take my education to heart with travel and learning about culture
first hand. I was able to work with people who have been in the diplomacy business for sometime and learn from experts in their field. The most important thing I learned from that time was this: It is very easy to think of a solution in an office thousands of miles away, but one can only solve an issue when on the ground and present.
Post Graduation Plans:
My plan after education is to work with the Peace Corps and help build my resume and skills. I would like to be deployed to Sub-Saharan Africa, and preferably a country that lets me practice my language skills. I believe that water will become the most valuable resource in the next 20 years and especially in Africa. My goal is to work with water and agricultural reclamation for a few years before going to grad school. My dream job would be to work at an embassy in Africa, get on the ground and help as many people as I can. One day, I hope to be an ambassador, or even someone who advises on policy decisions at the State Department. There are so many problems in the world, the first step is acknowledging how and why it is a problem, then working to solve it.