Project update

So I totally switched gears I'm focusing on the concept of holy sites. I'll be interviewing an Israeli Jewish immigrant, Christian Student at Ohio State, and I'm still working on finding someone who could give an Islamic perspective (so if anyone knows of someone I could interview that would be great...thanks). I will be asking all participants: What makes a site holy/How does a site become holy? Why or why not is it important to have/preserve holy places? What should be done with a holy area? Is there an area that you consider holy? Why or Why not? Can a place considered to be holy/spiritual be shared? (if it cannot be shared who should get control over the area and why?) With the conflict in Jerusalem what do you think will be the fate of the holy places there? I am open for any suggestions in this examination on Holy places....

Response to reading 10

PYALARA is a wonderful idea where quite literally children are seen as the future. This program is similar to programs offered in the United States and several other countries to under-privalaged youth. I think that is sometimes important to note that children have the uncanny ability to grow and build in places where it is simply sometimes impossible for an adult to. I like how it fosters self pride through the programs giving a space for development of an independent and confident attitude. These are the seeds needed for change and in situations such as these I think sometimes it is best action of attack to foster change through the youth hoping that those lessons are things that are not forgotten and instilled into them through adulthood. I love how these children are given a voice a voice for their community. As an adult is most times to late and hard to change individuals steeped in their ways but through the children lives hope and I truly do believe that. This is a great glimmer of hope in an atmosphere of deprivation as depicted in the Overview of the Political Contexts and Developments. As youth rights are often violated and their voices and opportunities stifled. More money should be funneled into ventures such as these by the Palestinian government and make them more inculsionary for the disabled and females. Investments in children and the youth are definitely key in the changing and evolution of a community.

Response to Reading 9

The poem A City of Stone by Ali Qlibo is a beautiful depiction of the multifaceted city of Jersualem. He illustrates how the past has an influential nature to the present because of the diverse and rich history that the city is steeped in. This connection between history and the present is made with the ever present historical edifices that engulf the city as they are an identifying character of the cultures that make up Jerusalem. Also reading the Wounded Spirits in a Promised Land by David Shipler there is an illustration of that the parties in Jerusalem are sort of one in the same as all of the devote rise in early in the morning to praise their God. The article also reiterates the cultural complexities and identity of the city through the swinging pendulum of extremes. The author makes a very powerful and poignant statement that through all the history of the city and wisdom cultivated there, that there is nothing but bloodshed that has stemmed. To a point this is true Jerusalem is an old city whose wisdom has given rise to eternal violence and rage that permeates in from the past to the present.

Response to Tuesday

I thought it was a great experience to be able to talk with individuals who are living in Jerusalem and give us an inside perspective. There was a very conscious effort to avoid politics and kind of this sweeping ideal that the issues in the city all stem from political extremists on both ends. This is a contrasting ideal to Professor Salim who views the issue as a deeply entrenched issue within the people on both sides of the conflict. I also thought it was interesting that one of the students did bring up that certain groups of people including some Arabs are discriminated against, it was a very real statement made in a very politically conscious discussion. Another thing that was interesting was their perspective on U.S. Americans, and our disconnect with the region and conflict. I did thoroughly enjoy the experience and enjoyed the opportunity to use such technology as a mechanism to bring us closer together through this great communication.

Response to Readings 8

After reading chapters 7 and 9 I cannot help myself from seeing the parallels of the Palestinians with that of Africans of South Africa. Suad Amiry conveyed a sense of second class citizenship that was experienced in a lighter form by the Africans of South Africa. Both governments in power implemented policies used to stifle and control the minority population. This parallel can be drawn from the imposed curfews and check points which were used to constrict the maneuverability of the minority populations and allowing the governments to have the ability to always have a constant eye on their activity. Home invasions too were also common place for Palestinians and Africans as a way to curb any terrorists and terror attacks. In the reading the most perturbing thing that both oppressed party's share is this tragic injustice and blatant discrimination. This is highlighted in the reading as Palestinians were not given gas masks as they had been promised to protect themselves from the threats of the War and how the dog was able to gain an ID for Jerusalem but it was almost impossible for a Palenstian to gain one. I find that the difference between these two is the severity of oppression experienced by the African population. "Jerusalem: Not the Mother of all Cities." compares the city to a woman which I feel is an accurate depiction of the dilemmas in the city as women are often the objects of conflict...(hmm Helena of Troy)...as is the city.

Channels of Rage

I have found it extremely difficult to find any reviews on the film "Channels of Rage" online. At most there are a few synopsizes that are online that give a very brief description of the movie. I do find that the movie does seem to be interesting as it shows the expressive nature of hip hop from a global perspective, a feature all to often drowned out by the mundane sound of the mainstream. Watching this film I think will illustrate the empowerment that music brings to people and the change that it can help bring forth. Art like rap gives people who normally wouldn't have a voice an opportunity to speak to the world and be heard on some level so to see this action work in Israel is a true testament to the power of music. I find it interesting that the group Subliminal has been able to collaberate with some of the biggest rap names in the United States Wyclef Jean and Wu-Tang clan. The collaboration with Wyclef Jean is amazing because this is a highly decorated and respected musician whose music often times has a political undertone, so I wonder how much influence if any did he have on the recording that he and the group did together. Music has allowed all the groups featured in the movie to take their struggle to the world stage spreading it not only in the affected area of Israel and Palentstine but also the United States and Europe. This link gives great insight to the movie and it's goals http://www.azm.org/AZM_MovieGuide_ChannelsOfRage.pdf another link that I found to be useful was http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117925365.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 illustrating some poignant scenes in the documentary. I'm excited to see this film. As for my project I have two avenues that I'm leaning towards one doing a compare and contrast of soldiers from Israel and American soldiers in the Iraq war with the Israeli public (both perspectives) and the American public (both perspectives) feel about their effectiveness and so forth. The other project I was thinking of doing was comparing the influence of hip hop in America with Israeli hip hop and the political change it may ignite.