when one thinks about the palestinian-israeli conflict we think of
palestinian-israeli conflict we think of
palestinian-israeli conflict we think of politics and Wars and land and leaders
politics and Wars and land and leaders
politics and Wars and land and leaders but there is one very important aspect
but there is one very important aspect
but there is one very important aspect that is often missing the people and
that is often missing the people and
that is often missing the people and when we do hear about specifically the
when we do hear about specifically the
when we do hear about specifically the Palestinians in the media we are not
Palestinians in the media we are not
Palestinians in the media we are not shown images like this all of these
shown images like this all of these
shown images like this all of these people come from Palestinian descent my
people come from Palestinian descent my
people come from Palestinian descent my goal today is to humanize the
goal today is to humanize the
goal today is to humanize the Palestinians the history on both sides
Palestinians the history on both sides
Palestinians the history on both sides of the story are readily available on
of the story are readily available on
of the story are readily available on many sources for whoever is interested
many sources for whoever is interested
many sources for whoever is interested but I want to separate the conflicts and
but I want to separate the conflicts and
but I want to separate the conflicts and acts of violence from who the
acts of violence from who the
acts of violence from who the Palestinian people really are but if I
Palestinian people really are but if I
Palestinian people really are but if I am being honest I did find it difficult
am being honest I did find it difficult
am being honest I did find it difficult to completely separate the politics from
to completely separate the politics from
to completely separate the politics from the people because the politics and laws
the people because the politics and laws
the people because the politics and laws really do control the everyday lives of
really do control the everyday lives of
really do control the everyday lives of these people
these people
these people my name is Lilia Brooker and although I
my name is Lilia Brooker and although I
my name is Lilia Brooker and although I am half Palestinian I would like to
am half Palestinian I would like to
am half Palestinian I would like to assert that today I’m speaking here is
assert that today I’m speaking here is
assert that today I’m speaking here is an American I was born and raised in
an American I was born and raised in
an American I was born and raised in Massachusetts I do not speak Arabic and
Massachusetts I do not speak Arabic and
Massachusetts I do not speak Arabic and my perspective and knowledge of the
my perspective and knowledge of the
my perspective and knowledge of the Middle East is still developing however
Middle East is still developing however
Middle East is still developing however I hope that I can share with you a
I hope that I can share with you a
I hope that I can share with you a glimpse into what I see and introduce
glimpse into what I see and introduce
glimpse into what I see and introduce you to a variety of different faces
you to a variety of different faces
you to a variety of different faces stories and experiences that help
stories and experiences that help
stories and experiences that help broaden the way we view these 11 million
broaden the way we view these 11 million
broaden the way we view these 11 million people so last summer I went to summer
people so last summer I went to summer
people so last summer I went to summer camp with a girl named aya as you can
camp with a girl named aya as you can
camp with a girl named aya as you can see from our awkward mirror selfie and
see from our awkward mirror selfie and
see from our awkward mirror selfie and we were in New York for the day together
we were in New York for the day together
we were in New York for the day together we went shopping and Broadway musical
we went shopping and Broadway musical
we went shopping and Broadway musical and had lunch and aya was from Tel Aviv
and had lunch and aya was from Tel Aviv
and had lunch and aya was from Tel Aviv Israel
Israel
Israel so we asked aya how she’d like living in
so we asked aya how she’d like living in
so we asked aya how she’d like living in Tel Aviv and she said I love it there’s
Tel Aviv and she said I love it there’s
Tel Aviv and she said I love it there’s so much freedom and we live right next
so much freedom and we live right next
so much freedom and we live right next to the beach and it’s so safe I think go
to the beach and it’s so safe I think go
to the beach and it’s so safe I think go out with my friends and
out with my friends and
out with my friends and I have story was very different from
I have story was very different from
I have story was very different from what I knew to be true happening right
what I knew to be true happening right
what I knew to be true happening right next door and many regions of Palestine
next door and many regions of Palestine
next door and many regions of Palestine Israel and States curfews that can last
Israel and States curfews that can last
Israel and States curfews that can last days weeks and even months later in my
days weeks and even months later in my
days weeks and even months later in my day with aya it came up that I was half
day with aya it came up that I was half
day with aya it came up that I was half Palestinian and she couldn’t believe me
Palestinian and she couldn’t believe me
Palestinian and she couldn’t believe me she couldn’t wrap her head around the
she couldn’t wrap her head around the
she couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that someone like me my mother or
fact that someone like me my mother or
fact that someone like me my mother or gigi hadid could be even somewhat
gigi hadid could be even somewhat
gigi hadid could be even somewhat Palestinian she said that her school
Palestinian she said that her school
Palestinian she said that her school takes her to see Palestine and said it
takes her to see Palestine and said it
takes her to see Palestine and said it was terrible and poor and violent now
was terrible and poor and violent now
was terrible and poor and violent now meeting aya was the first time I
meeting aya was the first time I
meeting aya was the first time I realized how narrow our view of the
realized how narrow our view of the
realized how narrow our view of the Palestinians are it’s not that she
Palestinians are it’s not that she
Palestinians are it’s not that she didn’t know about the Palestinians it’s
didn’t know about the Palestinians it’s
didn’t know about the Palestinians it’s not that she wasn’t aware of who they
not that she wasn’t aware of who they
not that she wasn’t aware of who they are it’s that she had only been exposed
are it’s that she had only been exposed
are it’s that she had only been exposed to a certain portrayal of Palestinians
to a certain portrayal of Palestinians
to a certain portrayal of Palestinians that left out a lot so I began to think
that left out a lot so I began to think
that left out a lot so I began to think how can I enable myself to begin a
how can I enable myself to begin a
how can I enable myself to begin a dialogue when I come across such
dialogue when I come across such
dialogue when I come across such instances so I did some research to
instances so I did some research to
instances so I did some research to uncover the varying truths of the
uncover the varying truths of the
uncover the varying truths of the Palestinian experience a boy named Sahib
Palestinian experience a boy named Sahib
Palestinian experience a boy named Sahib was 14 years old and lived in salon East
was 14 years old and lived in salon East
was 14 years old and lived in salon East Jerusalem he was in the ninth grade and
Jerusalem he was in the ninth grade and
Jerusalem he was in the ninth grade and enjoyed studying history
enjoyed studying history
enjoyed studying history one day in the middle of the night he
one day in the middle of the night he
one day in the middle of the night he was awoken by Israeli officers arrested
was awoken by Israeli officers arrested
was awoken by Israeli officers arrested and told he would be back home within a
and told he would be back home within a
and told he would be back home within a few hours he was taken to a detention
few hours he was taken to a detention
few hours he was taken to a detention center beaten and abused even though
center beaten and abused even though
center beaten and abused even though Sohaib did not know how to speak read or
Sohaib did not know how to speak read or
Sohaib did not know how to speak read or write in hebrew he was forced to sign a
write in hebrew he was forced to sign a
write in hebrew he was forced to sign a document in hebrew stating that he had
document in hebrew stating that he had
document in hebrew stating that he had not been physically abused his father
not been physically abused his father
not been physically abused his father was not called until late the next
was not called until late the next
was not called until late the next morning so habes interrogation period
morning so habes interrogation period
morning so habes interrogation period lasted for ten days where guards
lasted for ten days where guards
lasted for ten days where guards allegedly beat him with a chair and
allegedly beat him with a chair and
allegedly beat him with a chair and threatens him with a knife he was then
threatens him with a knife he was then
threatens him with a knife he was then moved to a prison cell where he recounts
moved to a prison cell where he recounts
moved to a prison cell where he recounts guards preventing him from sleeping by
guards preventing him from sleeping by
guards preventing him from sleeping by banging on the doors yelling and aiming
banging on the doors yelling and aiming
banging on the doors yelling and aiming laser pointers at his eyes he remained
laser pointers at his eyes he remained
laser pointers at his eyes he remained in prison for thirty days after his
in prison for thirty days after his
in prison for thirty days after his imprisonment he was sentenced to house
imprisonment he was sentenced to house
imprisonment he was sentenced to house arrest
arrest
arrest meaning that he could not attend school
meaning that he could not attend school
meaning that he could not attend school for the rest of the year
for the rest of the year
for the rest of the year I’m sad to say that’s a haip story is
I’m sad to say that’s a haip story is
I’m sad to say that’s a haip story is not an isolated occurrence according to
not an isolated occurrence according to
not an isolated occurrence according to the defense for children international
the defense for children international
the defense for children international Palestine whose mission statement is to
Palestine whose mission statement is to
Palestine whose mission statement is to promote and protect the human rights of
promote and protect the human rights of
promote and protect the human rights of Palestinian children the majority of
Palestinian children the majority of
Palestinian children the majority of Palestinian children who are detained
Palestinian children who are detained
Palestinian children who are detained are charged with throwing stones and
are charged with throwing stones and
are charged with throwing stones and three out of four experience physical
three out of four experience physical
three out of four experience physical violence during arrest transfer or
violence during arrest transfer or
violence during arrest transfer or interrogation in 2014 alone 1945
interrogation in 2014 alone 1945
interrogation in 2014 alone 1945 children were detained including 92 of
children were detained including 92 of
children were detained including 92 of those children being 12 years old or
those children being 12 years old or
those children being 12 years old or younger now I’d like to tell the story
younger now I’d like to tell the story
younger now I’d like to tell the story of a man who was really able to make a
of a man who was really able to make a
of a man who was really able to make a difference for many kids like Sohaib so
difference for many kids like Sohaib so
difference for many kids like Sohaib so Fatiha Gondor is one of my mother’s
Fatiha Gondor is one of my mother’s
Fatiha Gondor is one of my mother’s childhood friends he became very
childhood friends he became very
childhood friends he became very successful in his career but wanted to
successful in his career but wanted to
successful in his career but wanted to do something to help Palestinian
do something to help Palestinian
do something to help Palestinian refugees to briefly define who a
refugees to briefly define who a
refugees to briefly define who a Palestinian refugee is is that it’s a
Palestinian refugee is is that it’s a
Palestinian refugee is is that it’s a person who lost both home and means of
person who lost both home and means of
person who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948
livelihood as a result of the 1948
livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict so mister wanderer started a
conflict so mister wanderer started a
conflict so mister wanderer started a nonprofit called ruied that aims to
nonprofit called ruied that aims to
nonprofit called ruied that aims to encourage education child development
encourage education child development
encourage education child development youth organizing and community building
youth organizing and community building
youth organizing and community building if a student successfully graduates from
if a student successfully graduates from
if a student successfully graduates from high school
high school
high school mr. Condor funds the student with a
mr. Condor funds the student with a
mr. Condor funds the student with a scholarship to attend a local university
scholarship to attend a local university
scholarship to attend a local university Rwanda has many locations in Lebanon
Rwanda has many locations in Lebanon
Rwanda has many locations in Lebanon Egypt Palestine and Jordan in the summer
Egypt Palestine and Jordan in the summer
Egypt Palestine and Jordan in the summer of 2015 I decided I wanted to do
of 2015 I decided I wanted to do
of 2015 I decided I wanted to do something to help but also to better
something to help but also to better
something to help but also to better understand yet a different side of the
understand yet a different side of the
understand yet a different side of the palestinian experience so i volunteered
palestinian experience so i volunteered
palestinian experience so i volunteered at the roulade located in the muhammad I
at the roulade located in the muhammad I
at the roulade located in the muhammad I mean camp in Jordan and before I went I
mean camp in Jordan and before I went I
mean camp in Jordan and before I went I was expecting a refugee camp to look
was expecting a refugee camp to look
was expecting a refugee camp to look something like this not quite the
something like this not quite the
something like this not quite the refugee camp has a population of about
refugee camp has a population of about
refugee camp has a population of about 54,000 people so I worked in two of Rods
54,000 people so I worked in two of Rods
54,000 people so I worked in two of Rods many programs Bateson Sol and the
many programs Bateson Sol and the
many programs Bateson Sol and the children’s library Sol Sol Sol
children’s library Sol Sol Sol
children’s library Sol Sol Sol translates to clay and Arabic and the
translates to clay and Arabic and the
translates to clay and Arabic and the program hosts severely mentally and
program hosts severely mentally and
program hosts severely mentally and physically disabled
physically disabled
physically disabled members of the community and empowers
members of the community and empowers
members of the community and empowers them through art so a local artist comes
them through art so a local artist comes
them through art so a local artist comes to teach the children painting and I
to teach the children painting and I
to teach the children painting and I helped out with teaching basic sculpture
helped out with teaching basic sculpture
helped out with teaching basic sculpture painting and drawing here are some of
painting and drawing here are some of
painting and drawing here are some of the students showcasing some of the
the students showcasing some of the
the students showcasing some of the flower drawings that we did together the
flower drawings that we did together the
flower drawings that we did together the student is especially talented in art
student is especially talented in art
student is especially talented in art and I really admired a lot of his other
and I really admired a lot of his other
and I really admired a lot of his other art work so in the children’s library I
art work so in the children’s library I
art work so in the children’s library I think the kids just loved the
think the kids just loved the
think the kids just loved the companionship and attention they would
companionship and attention they would
companionship and attention they would fight for who gets to sit next to me in
fight for who gets to sit next to me in
fight for who gets to sit next to me in the circle or hold my hands just longing
the circle or hold my hands just longing
the circle or hold my hands just longing for that affection that they so often
for that affection that they so often
for that affection that they so often laughed at home in the library they
laughed at home in the library they
laughed at home in the library they would learn reading writing and play
would learn reading writing and play
would learn reading writing and play games one thing that I think is really
games one thing that I think is really
games one thing that I think is really really special about robot is that
really special about robot is that
really special about robot is that graduates of the program come back to
graduates of the program come back to
graduates of the program come back to teach the children so I saw how a young
teach the children so I saw how a young
teach the children so I saw how a young man now in university came and taught a
man now in university came and taught a
man now in university came and taught a theater to the kids and their eyes were
theater to the kids and their eyes were
theater to the kids and their eyes were just light up when they saw him and they
just light up when they saw him and they
just light up when they saw him and they hung on to every word that he said it’s
hung on to every word that he said it’s
hung on to every word that he said it’s really really unique and special Howrah
really really unique and special Howrah
really really unique and special Howrah WOD not only benefits the individual but
WOD not only benefits the individual but
WOD not only benefits the individual but empowers the entire community after my
empowers the entire community after my
empowers the entire community after my experience at reward I did some
experience at reward I did some
experience at reward I did some reflecting I think what disturbs me most
reflecting I think what disturbs me most
reflecting I think what disturbs me most was the continuing generations of
was the continuing generations of
was the continuing generations of Palestinian refugees still living in
Palestinian refugees still living in
Palestinian refugees still living in refugee camps I asked myself why has it
refugee camps I asked myself why has it
refugee camps I asked myself why has it been like this for so long will there
been like this for so long will there
been like this for so long will there ever be a way to fix this but so far my
ever be a way to fix this but so far my
ever be a way to fix this but so far my questions have not been answered now I
questions have not been answered now I
questions have not been answered now I would like to tell the story that I
would like to tell the story that I
would like to tell the story that I think really illustrates the resilience
think really illustrates the resilience
think really illustrates the resilience among hardships that Palestinians face
among hardships that Palestinians face
among hardships that Palestinians face so two women named my seeds and Raavan
so two women named my seeds and Raavan
so two women named my seeds and Raavan live in the Gaza Strip and they recently
live in the Gaza Strip and they recently
live in the Gaza Strip and they recently graduated from an engineering University
graduated from an engineering University
graduated from an engineering University in the area and they came across a
in the area and they came across a
in the area and they came across a problem construction materials are
problem construction materials are
problem construction materials are extremely difficult to access in Gaza
extremely difficult to access in Gaza
extremely difficult to access in Gaza due to the Israeli blockade so they
due to the Israeli blockade so they
due to the Israeli blockade so they engineered a way to make bricks out of
engineered a way to make bricks out of
engineered a way to make bricks out of ash from coal and wood rather than the
ash from coal and wood rather than the
ash from coal and wood rather than the traditional sand and stone bricks the
traditional sand and stone bricks the
traditional sand and stone bricks the bricks are flameproof lighter in weight
bricks are flameproof lighter in weight
bricks are flameproof lighter in weight and traditional bricks and also cheaper
and traditional bricks and also cheaper
and traditional bricks and also cheaper their invention even received approval
their invention even received approval
their invention even received approval from labret
from labret
from labret in Japan last August the bricks were
in Japan last August the bricks were
in Japan last August the bricks were used in the construction of a building
used in the construction of a building
used in the construction of a building and are now in high demand this story is
and are now in high demand this story is
and are now in high demand this story is a great example of how someone can take
a great example of how someone can take
a great example of how someone can take the rubble around them quite literally
the rubble around them quite literally
the rubble around them quite literally in this case and turn it into something
in this case and turn it into something
in this case and turn it into something that can rebuild what they have lost my
that can rebuild what they have lost my
that can rebuild what they have lost my seeds and Raavan were not only able to
seeds and Raavan were not only able to
seeds and Raavan were not only able to help her community but have set an
help her community but have set an
help her community but have set an example for what future innovators can
example for what future innovators can
example for what future innovators can accomplish now I would like to tell the
accomplish now I would like to tell the
accomplish now I would like to tell the story of my own family my
story of my own family my
story of my own family my great-grandfather was a man who spoke
great-grandfather was a man who spoke
great-grandfather was a man who spoke five languages fluently including
five languages fluently including
five languages fluently including Russian and French my great-grandmother
Russian and French my great-grandmother
Russian and French my great-grandmother was a homemaker as my mother put set but
was a homemaker as my mother put set but
was a homemaker as my mother put set but her love of good manners and preserving
her love of good manners and preserving
her love of good manners and preserving the Palestinian tradition was drove her
the Palestinian tradition was drove her
the Palestinian tradition was drove her everyday life
everyday life
everyday life my grandfather pictured here attended
my grandfather pictured here attended
my grandfather pictured here attended law school in England and my great uncle
law school in England and my great uncle
law school in England and my great uncle once University in America my mother’s
once University in America my mother’s
once University in America my mother’s aunts all played piano in their
aunts all played piano in their
aunts all played piano in their Jerusalem home this is my grandma in the
Jerusalem home this is my grandma in the
Jerusalem home this is my grandma in the middle and my grandparents wanted to
middle and my grandparents wanted to
middle and my grandparents wanted to make a better life for themselves and
make a better life for themselves and
make a better life for themselves and their daughters which they couldn’t do
their daughters which they couldn’t do
their daughters which they couldn’t do anymore due to the occupation in
anymore due to the occupation in
anymore due to the occupation in Jerusalem so they had to leave and some
Jerusalem so they had to leave and some
Jerusalem so they had to leave and some of the places they lived included Kuwait
of the places they lived included Kuwait
of the places they lived included Kuwait and North Africa my mother remembers
and North Africa my mother remembers
and North Africa my mother remembers that their daily lives were consumed
that their daily lives were consumed
that their daily lives were consumed with listening to the BBC radio for any
with listening to the BBC radio for any
with listening to the BBC radio for any glimmer of hope that they could one day
glimmer of hope that they could one day
glimmer of hope that they could one day return home to Jerusalem but the years
return home to Jerusalem but the years
return home to Jerusalem but the years passed and this never happened so
passed and this never happened so
passed and this never happened so eventually my mother came to America for
eventually my mother came to America for
eventually my mother came to America for university during her beginnings at
university during her beginnings at
university during her beginnings at college here she worked part-time
college here she worked part-time
college here she worked part-time waitressing at Cafe Algiers in Cambridge
waitressing at Cafe Algiers in Cambridge
waitressing at Cafe Algiers in Cambridge Massachusetts when she was serving
Massachusetts when she was serving
Massachusetts when she was serving people they would detect an accent and
people they would detect an accent and
people they would detect an accent and often ask her where she was from she
often ask her where she was from she
often ask her where she was from she would challenge them to guess and all of
would challenge them to guess and all of
would challenge them to guess and all of their guesses were said with such
their guesses were said with such
their guesses were said with such excitement and awe France Austria
excitement and awe France Austria
excitement and awe France Austria Germany Argentina and on and on and told
Germany Argentina and on and on and told
Germany Argentina and on and on and told the moment my mother said I’m actually
the moment my mother said I’m actually
the moment my mother said I’m actually Palestinian and their shoulders would
Palestinian and their shoulders would
Palestinian and their shoulders would hunch it would squinted her and
hunch it would squinted her and
hunch it would squinted her and confusion and lose all interests of
confusion and lose all interests of
confusion and lose all interests of continuing any conversation up until now
continuing any conversation up until now
continuing any conversation up until now due to her Western demeanor
due to her Western demeanor
due to her Western demeanor my mother is still faced with the
my mother is still faced with the
my mother is still faced with the questions but what do you mean your
questions but what do you mean your
questions but what do you mean your Palestinian you have light skin and blue
Palestinian you have light skin and blue
Palestinian you have light skin and blue eyes what do you mean you’re from
eyes what do you mean you’re from
eyes what do you mean you’re from Jerusalem so she now feels that she is
Jerusalem so she now feels that she is
Jerusalem so she now feels that she is in an emotional die spora that nowhere
in an emotional die spora that nowhere
in an emotional die spora that nowhere ever is truly home nowadays she feels
ever is truly home nowadays she feels
ever is truly home nowadays she feels she has to add another elements to her
she has to add another elements to her
she has to add another elements to her Palestine Palestinian ISM to have
Palestine Palestinian ISM to have
Palestine Palestinian ISM to have someone’s ear or respect she has to draw
someone’s ear or respect she has to draw
someone’s ear or respect she has to draw upon some old Turkish ancestor or her
upon some old Turkish ancestor or her
upon some old Turkish ancestor or her life in Europe to feel respected and
life in Europe to feel respected and
life in Europe to feel respected and human and being Muslim well that was a
human and being Muslim well that was a
human and being Muslim well that was a whole nother story now by telling you
whole nother story now by telling you
whole nother story now by telling you these stories I’m not trying to make all
these stories I’m not trying to make all
these stories I’m not trying to make all Palestinians the victims nor am I trying
Palestinians the victims nor am I trying
Palestinians the victims nor am I trying to say that everything’s fine and it’s
to say that everything’s fine and it’s
to say that everything’s fine and it’s all right because it’s not home trying
all right because it’s not home trying
all right because it’s not home trying to do is broaden the perspective we have
to do is broaden the perspective we have
to do is broaden the perspective we have of Palestinians in the media on the rare
of Palestinians in the media on the rare
of Palestinians in the media on the rare occasion that we are faced with the
occasion that we are faced with the
occasion that we are faced with the image of a Palestinian it is either of a
image of a Palestinian it is either of a
image of a Palestinian it is either of a violent angry one or have a victimized
violent angry one or have a victimized
violent angry one or have a victimized helpless one but what we’re missing is
helpless one but what we’re missing is
helpless one but what we’re missing is the third side Palestinians living
the third side Palestinians living
the third side Palestinians living normal lives all over the world this
normal lives all over the world this
normal lives all over the world this third side is what I saw growing up I
third side is what I saw growing up I
third side is what I saw growing up I saw people like my friends in my family
saw people like my friends in my family
saw people like my friends in my family and I was immersed in the culture I
and I was immersed in the culture I
and I was immersed in the culture I would like to conclude with one last
would like to conclude with one last
would like to conclude with one last story about how learning is not static
story about how learning is not static
story about how learning is not static rap but rather dynamic just last month I
rap but rather dynamic just last month I
rap but rather dynamic just last month I was speaking to one of my friends over
was speaking to one of my friends over
was speaking to one of my friends over FaceTime and I’d been sharing some of
FaceTime and I’d been sharing some of
FaceTime and I’d been sharing some of the research I’ve been doing for this
the research I’ve been doing for this
the research I’ve been doing for this talk and he had been raised and exposed
talk and he had been raised and exposed
talk and he had been raised and exposed to a very different perspective
to a very different perspective
to a very different perspective regarding the palestinian-israeli
regarding the palestinian-israeli
regarding the palestinian-israeli conflict than I had
conflict than I had
conflict than I had so we began sharing experiences and the
so we began sharing experiences and the
so we began sharing experiences and the experiences of others relating to the
experiences of others relating to the
experiences of others relating to the conflict we shared articles and YouTube
conflict we shared articles and YouTube
conflict we shared articles and YouTube videos and by the end of our call which
videos and by the end of our call which
videos and by the end of our call which lasted roughly five hours we slowly
lasted roughly five hours we slowly
lasted roughly five hours we slowly began to understand each other
began to understand each other
began to understand each other regardless if we agreed or not we as
regardless if we agreed or not we as
regardless if we agreed or not we as humans are too often surrounded by our
humans are too often surrounded by our
humans are too often surrounded by our similarities and disengage or get
similarities and disengage or get
similarities and disengage or get defensive when our differences arise but
defensive when our differences arise but
defensive when our differences arise but from aya I learned about a different
from aya I learned about a different
from aya I learned about a different perspective than my
perspective than my
perspective than my from Sahib I learned about a reoccurring
from Sahib I learned about a reoccurring
from Sahib I learned about a reoccurring problem from fatty Condor I learned that
problem from fatty Condor I learned that
problem from fatty Condor I learned that it’s possible to make a difference on a
it’s possible to make a difference on a
it’s possible to make a difference on a large scale from volunteering at reward
large scale from volunteering at reward
large scale from volunteering at reward I learned how to make a difference on
I learned how to make a difference on
I learned how to make a difference on even a small scale from a seeds and
even a small scale from a seeds and
even a small scale from a seeds and Raavan story I learned that resilience
Raavan story I learned that resilience
Raavan story I learned that resilience in the face of adversity is a first step
in the face of adversity is a first step
in the face of adversity is a first step to solving any problem from my own
to solving any problem from my own
to solving any problem from my own family story I learned about how diverse
family story I learned about how diverse
family story I learned about how diverse the Palestinian experiences and from
the Palestinian experiences and from
the Palestinian experiences and from facetiming with my friends I learned
facetiming with my friends I learned
facetiming with my friends I learned that we all have the power to enlighten
that we all have the power to enlighten
that we all have the power to enlighten someone or be enlightened yourself for
someone or be enlightened yourself for
someone or be enlightened yourself for my humble experience living only a mere
my humble experience living only a mere
my humble experience living only a mere 16 years on this planet I among others
16 years on this planet I among others
16 years on this planet I among others believe that the first step to
believe that the first step to
believe that the first step to rekindling humanity is understanding
rekindling humanity is understanding
rekindling humanity is understanding with which compassion and empathy will
with which compassion and empathy will
with which compassion and empathy will follow it may sound vague and simplistic
follow it may sound vague and simplistic
follow it may sound vague and simplistic but through finding compassion for
but through finding compassion for
but through finding compassion for others we truly can make a difference
others we truly can make a difference
others we truly can make a difference but come on we’ve all heard this make a
but come on we’ve all heard this make a
but come on we’ve all heard this make a difference talk but what has always
difference talk but what has always
difference talk but what has always stumped me was well how what I’ve
stumped me was well how what I’ve
stumped me was well how what I’ve learned is that it doesn’t always
learned is that it doesn’t always
learned is that it doesn’t always require travelling across the world it
require travelling across the world it
require travelling across the world it can begin by reading an article or
can begin by reading an article or
can begin by reading an article or watching a video on the little machines
watching a video on the little machines
watching a video on the little machines in our pockets it can begin by chatting
in our pockets it can begin by chatting
in our pockets it can begin by chatting to the person next to you it must begin
to the person next to you it must begin
to the person next to you it must begin by stepping out of our comfort zones and
by stepping out of our comfort zones and
by stepping out of our comfort zones and into somebody else’s shoes in this day
into somebody else’s shoes in this day
into somebody else’s shoes in this day and age with news events and tragedies
and age with news events and tragedies
and age with news events and tragedies being thrown at us every day our daily
being thrown at us every day our daily
being thrown at us every day our daily lives are becoming reduced to only the
lives are becoming reduced to only the
lives are becoming reduced to only the facts of the situation but what we need
facts of the situation but what we need
facts of the situation but what we need to do in addition it’s knowing the facts
to do in addition it’s knowing the facts
to do in addition it’s knowing the facts is to hear the stories see the images
is to hear the stories see the images
is to hear the stories see the images and feel the emotions to truly
and feel the emotions to truly
and feel the emotions to truly comprehend the impact or importance of
comprehend the impact or importance of
comprehend the impact or importance of any world event before we can construct
any world event before we can construct
any world event before we can construct solutions to any of our problems in this
solutions to any of our problems in this
solutions to any of our problems in this world we need to see eye to eye we need
world we need to see eye to eye we need
world we need to see eye to eye we need to recognize that we all have the power
to recognize that we all have the power
to recognize that we all have the power to share to listen to engage and to
to share to listen to engage and to
to share to listen to engage and to question it is an hour
question it is an hour
question it is an hour and more importantly with our
and more importantly with our
and more importantly with our responsibilities that we use these
responsibilities that we use these
responsibilities that we use these powers to change the way we think thank
powers to change the way we think thank
powers to change the way we think thank you
”
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