The Foreign Service Journal, September 2015

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2015 33 L et’s just call a spade a spade. Shortly after I got news of receiving the W. Averell Harriman Award for Construc- tive Dissent, I went running with our consul general at post. I go running a few times a week around a dusty old field in front of the consulate. I find the hot midday sun in Baja California somewhat more pleasing than adjudicat- ing visas in my cubicle. And when the CG has the time, he likes the opportunity to exercise and mentor entry-level officers. “So, not to take away anything from your achievement,” he starts, as we round the curve near the carcass of a dead dog. “Sir?” I manage to pant as I trip over the curb. (Our CG is twice my size; my short legs have to move twice as fast to keep up.) “Your article. Well written.” He sails over some trash. “But it seemed like too easy a win. Nobody dissents anymore. I won- der if anyone else was even nominated.” Now, some people might have taken offense at that. I just took it on the chin. I’ll take honesty over platitudes any day. Amelia Shaw joined the Foreign Service (public diplo- macy cone) in 2014 after careers in journalism and public health. She is currently doing consular work in Tijuana, her first post. She is the 2015 recipient of the W. Averell Harriman Award for Constructive Dissent. FOCUS ON AFSA AWARDS AND DISSENT DECONSTRUCTING Dissent At heart, dissent is about integrity, speaking up on issues that matter, regardless of whether or not we think we can actually change anything. BY AME L I A SHAW