[WCUSP] [Belovedcommunity] A Poem to Americans by A Palestinian Youth

Tue Aug 1 10:12:29 CDT 2006

thanks for the poem....thanks for the thinking about what to do.....not being very creative myself but wiill cheer you on as you try to formulate ideas and effective actions.............meanwhile write letters galore...........e-mail or the old fashioned way..............have you heard Fisk on Democracy Now.?...when the IRA bombed places in England.....absolutely terrorists....the response was not to bomb Northern Ireland....no destruction of intrastructure....no killing of innocents...............what's the difference now?   We know.......sheer racism, utter contempt for the lives of Arabs.........The fact of it being my paid for weapons of course, extra salt in the wound.....so keep thinking away and thanks for being.............Joyce
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Sha'an Mouliert 
  To: C.J. Minster ; wcusp at wilpf.org ; program at wilpf.org ; belovedcommunity at wilpf.org 
  Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 6:23 PM
  Subject: Re: [Belovedcommunity] A Poem to Americans by A Palestinian Youth


  My dear CJ and BBC sisters,  
      You are an answer to a few queries and requests.  I've been in such agony as a result of the events in the Middle East and Bush's response.  I was just about to e-mail the BBC asking for help.  How could the BBC support the WCUSP campaign in these horrific times?  
      Art is such a powerful means of expression...a catalyst for social change.  Perhaps, that's why I'm a creative arts specialist :-)  We are fortunate to be involved with an organization that has so many creative people.  I'd like to explore a collaborative initiative between the BBC and WCUSP that would involve creative expression, i.e. Theater of the Oppressed workshops, performing arts/theatrical performances, visual art workshops/exhibits, creative writing workshops, book/poetry readings, etc.  I'd also like to propose the two-day Creating Caring Communities*,  retreat/training for members of the BBC and WCUSP who are interested in using creative expression as a medium for healing, community building and social change as well as opening it up to WILPF's membership.  
      The BBC has supported me and others in our efforts to build a beloved community and our commitment to racial justice...that's a valuable asset and resource.  How can we expand and share our work to enrich WILPF and support our efforts for social change?  I'm looking forward to your replies.   
      Thanks again CJ for sharing the poem and providing a vehicle for understanding and hopefully, lead to compassion. 
  with gratitude, peace and sisterhood,
  Sha'an
  P.S.  The poem gave voice to my pain...I'd like to share it with my listservs along with newspapers in Vermont
  *http://wilpf.org/issues/uforje/UFO_actions.htm

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: C.J. Minster 
    To: wcusp at wilpf.org ; program at wilpf.org ; belovedcommunity at wilpf.org 
    Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 4:24 PM
    Subject: [Belovedcommunity] A Poem to Americans by A Palestinian Youth


    This poem speaks to both the ethnic and political differences between Palestinians and Americans, which is why I feel it is appropriate to forward to the BBC committee as well as the WCUSP list. Program Committee members - I just think it's important to share alternative forms of expression in addition to our important statements, letters, and articles. Plus if you're on more than one WILPF list, you'll only get this once. Apologies if you've already received this via the WILPF Intl listserv.

    with prayers for a ceasefire,
    c.j.

    ---------- Forwarded message ----------
    Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2006 19:49:29 +0300 (EEST)
    From: Samira Khoury <sk05 at aub.edu.lb >
    To: Samira Khoury <sk05 at aub.edu.lb>
    Subject: Fw: A Poem to Americans by A Palestinian Youth

    ----- Original Message --- 

    Eye to Eye
    By: Gihad Ali

    Look into my eyes
    And tell me what you see
    You don't see a damn thing,
    'cause you can't possibly relate to me.

    You're blinded by our differences.
    My life makes no sense to you. 
    I'm the persecuted Palestinian.
    You are the American red, white and blue.

    Each day you wake in tranquility.
    No fears to cross your eyes.
    Each day I wake in gratitude.
    Thanking God he let me rise.

    You worry about your education
    And the bills you have to pay.
    I worry about my vulnerable life
    And if I'll survive another day.

    Your biggest fear is getting ticketed
    As you cruise your Cadillac.
    My fear is that the tank that just left
    Will turn around and come back.

    America, do you realize,
    That the taxes that you pay
    Feed the forces that traumatize
    My every living day?

    The bulldozers and the tanks, 
    The gases and the guns,
    The bombs that fall outside my door,
    All due to American funds.

    Yet do you know the truth
    Of where your money goes?
    Do you let your media deceive your mind?
    Is this a truth that no one knows? 

    You blame me for defending myself
    Against the ways of Zionists
    I'm terrorized in my own land
    And I'm the terrorist?

    You think that you know all about terrorism
    But you don't know it the way I do. 
    So let me define the term for you.
    And teach you what you thought you knew.

    I've known terrorism for quite some time,
    Fifty- four years and more.
    It's the fruitless garden uprooted in my yard.
    It's the bulldozer in front of my door. 

    Terrorism breathes the air I breathe.
    It's the checkpoint on my way to school.
    It's the curfew that jails me in my own home,
    And the penalties of breaking that curfew rule.

    Terrorism is the robbery of my land. 
    And the torture of my mother.
    The imprisonment of my innocent father.
    The bullet in my baby brother.

    So America, don't tell me you know about
    The things I feel and see.
    I'm terrorized in my own land 
    And the blame is put on me.

    But I will not rest, I shall never settle
    For the injustice my people endure.
    Palestine is OUR land and there we'll remain
    Until the day OUR homeland is secure.

    And if that time shall never come, 
    Then they will never see a day of peace.
    I will not be thrown from my own home,
    Nor will fight for justice cease.

    And if I am killed, it will be for Falasteen.
    It's written on my breath.
    So in your own patriotic words, 
    Give me liberty or give me death.


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