Questions for Mariam Said:
1. What has been the most dramatic change in the process for the struggle for peace that you have witnessed throughout your work?
2. How have your perspectives changed from the beginning, when you first started on the project, compared to where you stand now?
The Power of Music...
It is amazing to be how this exchange between two very important figures in today’s culture is so carefully documented. Barnboim, being an Israeli from Argentina, and Said who is a Palestinian American—are able to be such close friends and relate to one another in such a unique way. I think it’s a beautiful idea that people from such opposing viewpoints can come together and find a commonplace in the art of music; on the other hand, I don’t think this can be any type of solution. It is a very temporary attempt at a solution to an argument that has been going on for way too long. If for some reason this shared passion has to be taken away, what are they left with? How can one translate their thoughts through something more concrete? Don’t get me wrong, the fact that they are doing something together such as this is so beautiful and meaningful, yet it is not something that has the capability to withstand direct conflict that is happening in the area. Music is something that all types of cultures enjoy—and if it is only the beginning to the path for peace, so be it. I’ll take that over anything else. Music does have the capability to bring people together.
With that being said, this conflict runs so much deeper than anything that music would ever have the ability to solve. It’s going to take a lot more than organized workshops to solve a conflict that’s been going on for so long. I am not sure I am optimistic to there ever being a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but I can only hope.
In Noura’s article, "Homeland Redefined: Spaces of National Belonging", it was made clear to the reader the difference between Israelis and Palestinians was made very clear; I think that’s important because it allows somebody who doesn’t know a lot about the conflict to really understand more. The article makes it very clear to the reader that both groups of people are fighting over something that they both want; in doing so, it describes various definitions and perceptions of a homeland, holiness, and sacred space. The article also does a very good job of highlighting information about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and in doing so, we are able to see the conflict presented in a different way. After reading this article, I can definitely say that anybody who wasn’t familiar with the conflict prior to reading it, will have a decent idea of what is going on. Of course there is so much more to the conflict, but it does a great job of sorting through the main points.
I like how you blog because you tend to speak your mind, that's kind of how I blog as well... but while reading this post it seems like you really don't know where you stand on the situation it's self... you say that you want to see peace between the two sides but then you say that you don't see a solution ... I don't know, I mean I could be wrong but I think that if you want to believe in peace you must believe in a solution... that solution might not work but one thing always leads to another. I guess what I am trying to say is that we can not give up so easily. :)
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