In remembrance: rise up.
30 years ago today, began the start of a three-day massacre at Shatila and Sabra refugee camps in Beirut which killed 1,700 Palestinians. A massacre in which to this day, has never found justice for the crimes committed.
This past summer brought much insight into this tragedy as I lived, conversed and worked with Palestinian refugees in the Shatila camp. Over the summer, people shared their own personal story and perspective of that day. I walked down their streets and watched them point out certain buildings and places while listening to their stories of what happened in those exact spots 30 years ago. I witnessed the pain of grief, the frustration of injustice and struggled in my own understandings of a conflict that was more complex and intricate than I could ever imagine.
Although the situation is complex and there are two sides to every conflict, there is one truth that is constant: no human life should ever be considered more valuable or worthy than another.
And although I am not Palestinian or Lebanese and personally have no tie to this massacre or conflict, there is still responsibility to bear. I am an American citizen but I am also a citizen of this world. I have the responsibility to care for humanity of any race, of any culture, of any religion. Not just because it is an interest of mine, or a passion rooted in my heart but because... I am human. If we can not take any responsibility as fellow humans, how can we hope for peace in this world?
Now pan over to America, back to life in DC.
This year, my motto for my students is "Congress Heights is on the rise." I have talked to my students about the reality of their situation living in their community; a community full of conflict, frustration, poverty and anger. We have discussed the reality of their future, of their reputation, of the expectations others have for them...all which does not put their neighborhood in a good light. But I remind them that they have the potential and the possibility to change that. It is their choice. Do they want their community to get better? Do they want the children in their neighborhood to have a safe home with a warm meal? Do they want for themselves and their classmates a future full of choices and options to pursue? Do they want to break the cycle and not live the same life as their parents? If so, then it is their choice.
I truly believe that Congress Heights is on the rise. I have seen with my own eyes, the potential these children and people have despite the challenges they face. Now, it's up to my students and their community. Each action they make, each fight they get into, each punch they throw, each time they give up on learning a skill: that is their choice, not mine. I can believe in them and teach them, but I can not hold their hand. If they want their community to be on the rise then they need to rise up and meet the challenge.
The past week has seen an uprising of violence in the world, continued conflict in Syria, a commemoration of an attack on our country 11 years ago, increasing bi-partisian and polarization in our own country's political parties and the anniversary of Sabra and Shatila. It may feel hopeless and overwhelming at times to work for peace, to hope for peace. But now more than ever, as citizens of this world, we should feel a call to action to take care of humanity.
What does that call to action look like?
Well, that's not up to me, that's up to you. Each of us has a choice, just as I have told my students. We can break the cycle; in our own community, in our nation or even across the world in a region far remote from our own.
We can let the responsibility and the call to protect humanity, peace and quality of life slip through our fingers or we can grab onto it.
But it's up to you. And to me. As we continue to watch the news, remember tragedies and commemorate heroes, let us not just sigh, move on with our life and maybe use it as a topic of conversation during our weekly happy hour. Let us use it as a reminder and an inspiration to do what we can to make the world more peaceful and more humane. Let us do this for the future and for the sake of those who can't anymore.
For me, I keep in mind those families in Shatila, the pain they hold onto, the frustration they are trying to get past. For all of those in Lebanon and many other countries still working to overcome sectarian violence. This week, when I feel hopeless in the conflict across the world, I will work for progress in my own community, with my students. Even if it is helping students resolve a simple "playground conflict", it will be one step closer to a peaceful world.
For more information on the Sabra and Shatila massacre, read this article by Robert Fisk (one of my favorite journalists, excellent informative writing and insight).
The article concludes with this quote:
"The forgotten Massacre": Robert Fisk
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/the-forgotten-massacre-8139930.html
This past summer brought much insight into this tragedy as I lived, conversed and worked with Palestinian refugees in the Shatila camp. Over the summer, people shared their own personal story and perspective of that day. I walked down their streets and watched them point out certain buildings and places while listening to their stories of what happened in those exact spots 30 years ago. I witnessed the pain of grief, the frustration of injustice and struggled in my own understandings of a conflict that was more complex and intricate than I could ever imagine.
Although the situation is complex and there are two sides to every conflict, there is one truth that is constant: no human life should ever be considered more valuable or worthy than another.
And although I am not Palestinian or Lebanese and personally have no tie to this massacre or conflict, there is still responsibility to bear. I am an American citizen but I am also a citizen of this world. I have the responsibility to care for humanity of any race, of any culture, of any religion. Not just because it is an interest of mine, or a passion rooted in my heart but because... I am human. If we can not take any responsibility as fellow humans, how can we hope for peace in this world?
Now pan over to America, back to life in DC.
This year, my motto for my students is "Congress Heights is on the rise." I have talked to my students about the reality of their situation living in their community; a community full of conflict, frustration, poverty and anger. We have discussed the reality of their future, of their reputation, of the expectations others have for them...all which does not put their neighborhood in a good light. But I remind them that they have the potential and the possibility to change that. It is their choice. Do they want their community to get better? Do they want the children in their neighborhood to have a safe home with a warm meal? Do they want for themselves and their classmates a future full of choices and options to pursue? Do they want to break the cycle and not live the same life as their parents? If so, then it is their choice.
I truly believe that Congress Heights is on the rise. I have seen with my own eyes, the potential these children and people have despite the challenges they face. Now, it's up to my students and their community. Each action they make, each fight they get into, each punch they throw, each time they give up on learning a skill: that is their choice, not mine. I can believe in them and teach them, but I can not hold their hand. If they want their community to be on the rise then they need to rise up and meet the challenge.
The past week has seen an uprising of violence in the world, continued conflict in Syria, a commemoration of an attack on our country 11 years ago, increasing bi-partisian and polarization in our own country's political parties and the anniversary of Sabra and Shatila. It may feel hopeless and overwhelming at times to work for peace, to hope for peace. But now more than ever, as citizens of this world, we should feel a call to action to take care of humanity.
What does that call to action look like?
Well, that's not up to me, that's up to you. Each of us has a choice, just as I have told my students. We can break the cycle; in our own community, in our nation or even across the world in a region far remote from our own.
We can let the responsibility and the call to protect humanity, peace and quality of life slip through our fingers or we can grab onto it.
But it's up to you. And to me. As we continue to watch the news, remember tragedies and commemorate heroes, let us not just sigh, move on with our life and maybe use it as a topic of conversation during our weekly happy hour. Let us use it as a reminder and an inspiration to do what we can to make the world more peaceful and more humane. Let us do this for the future and for the sake of those who can't anymore.
For me, I keep in mind those families in Shatila, the pain they hold onto, the frustration they are trying to get past. For all of those in Lebanon and many other countries still working to overcome sectarian violence. This week, when I feel hopeless in the conflict across the world, I will work for progress in my own community, with my students. Even if it is helping students resolve a simple "playground conflict", it will be one step closer to a peaceful world.
For more information on the Sabra and Shatila massacre, read this article by Robert Fisk (one of my favorite journalists, excellent informative writing and insight).
The article concludes with this quote:
Dr al-Hout ends her investigation with a quotation from Rabbi Abraham Heschel who raged against the Vietnam war. "In a free society," the Rabbi said, "some are guilty, but all are responsible."
"The forgotten Massacre": Robert Fisk
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/the-forgotten-massacre-8139930.html
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