Comments for Rachel Brown http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown Alternative Information Center in Israel Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:44:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 Comment on Interview with Elise (Part 1) by Interview with Elise (Part II) | Rachel Brown http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/blog/2009/07/27/interview-with-elise-part-1/#comment-54 Interview with Elise (Part II) | Rachel Brown Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:44:06 +0000 http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/?p=595#comment-54 [...] Last month I had the chance to interview Elise, the former coordinator of the AIC’s Jerusalem Project and a teacher of sociology at Bethlehem University. In Part II of the interview Elise discusses how teaching can bring about social change, and the role youth can play in this transformation. As several experts on youth and development have noted, all too often internationally funded programs for marginalized youth operate on the premise that idle youngsters are dangerous, and that the sooner they become employed, the sooner society will avert the threat of conflict. As one might expect, without taking the hopes, opinions, and recommendations of youth into account, including what kind of employment they, themselves want, and what kind of an education would be most relevant to their involvement in conflict resolution, such programming can be less than effective at best, and can deepen conflict at worst. Elise’s thoughts on educating under occupation provide an example of how to better involve youth in conflict resolution processes. On a personal note, her thoughts also provide me with ideas for how to teach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to youth living miles away in the U.S.   [...] [...] Last month I had the chance to interview Elise, the former coordinator of the AIC’s Jerusalem Project and a teacher of sociology at Bethlehem University. In Part II of the interview Elise discusses how teaching can bring about social change, and the role youth can play in this transformation. As several experts on youth and development have noted, all too often internationally funded programs for marginalized youth operate on the premise that idle youngsters are dangerous, and that the sooner they become employed, the sooner society will avert the threat of conflict. As one might expect, without taking the hopes, opinions, and recommendations of youth into account, including what kind of employment they, themselves want, and what kind of an education would be most relevant to their involvement in conflict resolution, such programming can be less than effective at best, and can deepen conflict at worst. Elise’s thoughts on educating under occupation provide an example of how to better involve youth in conflict resolution processes. On a personal note, her thoughts also provide me with ideas for how to teach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to youth living miles away in the U.S.   [...]

]]> Comment on Israeli Leftists Say “No” to Mike Huckabee by Herb http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/blog/2009/08/23/israeli-leftists-say-no-to-mike-huckabee/#comment-53 Herb Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:19:03 +0000 http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/?p=777#comment-53 Hi Rachel, I got behind in my reading, hence my long silence. I continue to be "smartened up," and am grateful for your broad perspective. Best, Herb (and Cristy) Hi Rachel,

I got behind in my reading, hence my long silence. I continue to be “smartened up,” and am grateful for your broad perspective.

Best, Herb (and Cristy)

]]> Comment on Sheikh Jarrah Tells Obama: “Yes You Can” by Israeli Leftists Say “No” to Mike Huckabee | Rachel Brown http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/blog/2009/08/03/sheikh-jarrah-tells-obama-yes-you-can/#comment-52 Israeli Leftists Say “No” to Mike Huckabee | Rachel Brown Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:33:29 +0000 http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/?p=623#comment-52 [...] Sheikh Jarrah Tells Obama: “Yes You Can” [...] [...] Sheikh Jarrah Tells Obama: “Yes You Can” [...]

]]> Comment on Pride! by Anna Veeder http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/blog/2009/07/19/pride/#comment-49 Anna Veeder Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:39:04 +0000 http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/?p=450#comment-49 Hi Rachel, about the pictures...are they yours? I would be interested in contacting the photographer for possible publishing. Best regards, Anna Hi Rachel,

about the pictures…are they yours? I would be interested in contacting the photographer for possible publishing.

Best regards,

Anna

]]> Comment on Sheikh Jarrah Tells Obama: “Yes You Can” by Rangineh Azimzadeh http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/blog/2009/08/03/sheikh-jarrah-tells-obama-yes-you-can/#comment-45 Rangineh Azimzadeh Sun, 09 Aug 2009 07:49:44 +0000 http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/?p=623#comment-45 Rachel, Great job of capturing the mood and feeling that comes with these evictions. This is a VERY sensitive and important issue to get the word out about and you've done it here quite well. Keep up the great work and by the way, the video was a wonderful way to make the audience feel like we were right there with you. :) Rachel,

Great job of capturing the mood and feeling that comes with these evictions. This is a VERY sensitive and important issue to get the word out about and you’ve done it here quite well. Keep up the great work and by the way, the video was a wonderful way to make the audience feel like we were right there with you. :)

]]> Comment on Sheikh Jarrah Tells Obama: “Yes You Can” by Ruth http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/blog/2009/08/03/sheikh-jarrah-tells-obama-yes-you-can/#comment-44 Ruth Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:21:09 +0000 http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/?p=623#comment-44 Hi Rachel Just to reassure you...we heard all about the two evictions on the Australian news...but not that settlers had moved in...We are all waiting to see if the new mood for change means 'no you can't' (be moved) for the majority in Sheikh Jarra. In solidarity,Ruth Hi Rachel
Just to reassure you…we heard all about the two evictions on the Australian news…but not that settlers had moved in…We are all waiting to see if the new mood for change means ‘no you can’t’ (be moved) for the majority in Sheikh Jarra. In solidarity,Ruth

]]> Comment on Pride! by Rachel Brown http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/blog/2009/07/19/pride/#comment-39 Rachel Brown Sun, 02 Aug 2009 06:09:20 +0000 http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/?p=450#comment-39 Thanks Adam and Erin for your comments! To update everyone, there was a shooting at a gay youth center in Tel Aviv yesterday, the first of its kind (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1104506.html). The tragedy underscores that while Israel may be a liberal place for the GLBTQ community in comparative terms, there is still vehement opposition to those fighting for civil rights, including among members of the ultra-orthodox Shas party in the Knesset. In a sobering and tragic way, it highlights (again) the importance of the pride parade in Jerusalem. Thanks Adam and Erin for your comments!

To update everyone, there was a shooting at a gay youth center in Tel Aviv yesterday, the first of its kind (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1104506.html). The tragedy underscores that while Israel may be a liberal place for the GLBTQ community in comparative terms, there is still vehement opposition to those fighting for civil rights, including among members of the ultra-orthodox Shas party in the Knesset. In a sobering and tragic way, it highlights (again) the importance of the pride parade in Jerusalem.

]]> Comment on Interview with Elise (Part 1) by Ruth http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/blog/2009/07/27/interview-with-elise-part-1/#comment-38 Ruth Sun, 02 Aug 2009 05:31:23 +0000 http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/?p=595#comment-38 Hi Rachel I have just been catching up with your blogs from Hebron, Women in Black, Panthers and now this one with Elise. I am struck, as I see others have been too, by the parallel that your cab driver mentioned--that the description of living in an occupation is one that anyone who has lived in a ghetto or across a demarcation line like in Cyprus--understands. And yes, I think about segregation in America and apartheid in South Africa. I wonder how we learn from history? I want to be optimistic that we can wake up and change the historical structures that oppress and that as Elise implies, there can be a triumph of understanding and a birth of tolerance. But I read Elise's story and I feel ashamed that individuals don't stop to look at each other and listen to each one's story but assume that if you speak Arabic, you are no good--at least in an Israeli store. Sorry to be a bit down after all your good writing. I do appreciate your effort to bring it all home to us--and you are doing that brilliantly! Stay safe and well. Ruth Hi Rachel
I have just been catching up with your blogs from Hebron, Women in Black, Panthers and now this one with Elise. I am struck, as I see others have been too, by the parallel that your cab driver mentioned–that the description of living in an occupation is one that anyone who has lived in a ghetto or across a demarcation line like in Cyprus–understands. And yes, I think about segregation in America and apartheid in South Africa. I wonder how we learn from history? I want to be optimistic that we can wake up and change the historical structures that oppress and that as Elise implies, there can be a triumph of understanding and a birth of tolerance. But I read Elise’s story and I feel ashamed that individuals don’t stop to look at each other and listen to each one’s story but assume that if you speak Arabic, you are no good–at least in an Israeli store. Sorry to be a bit down after all your good writing. I do appreciate your effort to bring it all home to us–and you are doing that brilliantly! Stay safe and well. Ruth

]]> Comment on To Hebron and Back by Rachel Brown http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/blog/2009/07/20/to-hebron-and-back/#comment-37 Rachel Brown Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:12:17 +0000 http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/?p=539#comment-37 Thanks so much for this, Herb. One thing that has rung very true to me since I've been here: the tension between those who see the "fix-it" to the conflict as simply a matter of needing more dialogue, like the event you mention above, and those who see it in terms of power asymmetry and power politics. In reality I think it is both, and I think the wikipedia clip illustrates this. On the one hand, we do need dialogue that helps each side feel they are heard. But as we saw at places like Camp David II, when the dialogue, whether it be grassroots and impromptu or among formal leaders, reinforces an existing asymmetry, or continues to give voice to those who already have a voice, the dialogue can do little to improve the situation, or can even make it worse (aka making Erdogan ever frustrated with and less invested in the process). More broadly speaking (here goes a tangent!) I find on the one hand these dialogue groups and encounter programs in Israel and Palestine and the States incredibly important, because they help the Jewish kid who has never before met a Palestinian or vice versa begin to understand "the other," for lack of better cliches. On the other hand, dialogue forums can also stop short of highlighting the power asymmetry that perpetuates conflict. All of this is to say while dialogue, whether between Erdogan and Peres or between a Palestinian and Israeli throwing frisbees in the name of EU funding, can build bridges so to speak, it is important that it also doesn't undermine or worsen existing power asymmetries. Perhaps slightly unrelated, but something I've been thinking a lot about. Thanks so much for this, Herb. One thing that has rung very true to me since I’ve been here: the tension between those who see the “fix-it” to the conflict as simply a matter of needing more dialogue, like the event you mention above, and those who see it in terms of power asymmetry and power politics. In reality I think it is both, and I think the wikipedia clip illustrates this. On the one hand, we do need dialogue that helps each side feel they are heard. But as we saw at places like Camp David II, when the dialogue, whether it be grassroots and impromptu or among formal leaders, reinforces an existing asymmetry, or continues to give voice to those who already have a voice, the dialogue can do little to improve the situation, or can even make it worse (aka making Erdogan ever frustrated with and less invested in the process).

More broadly speaking (here goes a tangent!) I find on the one hand these dialogue groups and encounter programs in Israel and Palestine and the States incredibly important, because they help the Jewish kid who has never before met a Palestinian or vice versa begin to understand “the other,” for lack of better cliches. On the other hand, dialogue forums can also stop short of highlighting the power asymmetry that perpetuates conflict. All of this is to say while dialogue, whether between Erdogan and Peres or between a Palestinian and Israeli throwing frisbees in the name of EU funding, can build bridges so to speak, it is important that it also doesn’t undermine or worsen existing power asymmetries. Perhaps slightly unrelated, but something I’ve been thinking a lot about.

]]> Comment on Interview with Elise (Part 1) by Herb http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/blog/2009/07/27/interview-with-elise-part-1/#comment-36 Herb Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:51:34 +0000 http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/rbrown/?p=595#comment-36 Rachel, what a perfect follow-up to your previous blog. You're continually offering a moving, sane, sobering narrative. Thank you so much. Rachel, what a perfect follow-up to your previous blog. You’re continually offering a moving, sane, sobering narrative. Thank you so much.

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