peace?

Last week, i joined a coworker on his first presentation to a small audience of college students for a discussion on peace and film. A sector of Drishti's work, that is quickly expanding, aims to engage the youth of Ahmedabad by creating space for them to artistically think about the topics they discuss in the classroom- to humanize ideas and concepts. Yesterday's talk was directly aimed at films ability to address conflict resolution and peace building. the talk started with- what is peace? The hindi fluttered all around me as the answers poured in but the few english words exchanged gave me a slight idea of the greater conversation. for the most part people (all men except one very timid woman) kept saying tolerance and acceptance. being at peace with what is around you. tolerating what is around you. a dream.

since arriving here i have read amartya sen's identity and violence. the book speaks to the way we simplify our identities and categorize too narrowly. he aims to remind us that people are mosaics- not singular identities. i think of this often as an AMERICAN JEWISH world partners fellow. when i have to introduce myself as such my mind floods with all the other adjectives i would chose to label myself as. one of the first things i learned to say in hindi is "i am not american, i am russian"- in part to open dialogue and encourage questions, but it is also a reflection of how i truly feel. I am very american- but that is not all i am. (I should probably note that i am not russian either, the soviet union crumbled in 1991 and I should learn the hindi word for Belorussian soon) Sen integrates fresh examples and writings to support his ideas creating a work that gives a fresh voice to the optimists of this world. his book makes perfect sense to me (expect and appreciate the diversity of ideas/identities) and his ability to express it in such detail amazes me.

simple enough yea? but good to be reminded. anyway here is my ramble...

when ateet was giving the talk i started to create a diagram in my mind... peace isnt an end goal we (not sure who the we is- so you decide) are rushing towards but rather a lifestyle we are preaching to resolve conflicts (both present and future). what does this lifestyle entail? appreciating the depth of those around us and within ourselves. how? by asking the RIGHT questions and not assuming that we always ask the best questions. To find the good in others, and our commonalities, we must enjoy the experience of asking rather than indulging our need to develop conclusions (engrained in us by our classroom educations- so whats your conclusion? start with the conclusion...). Cross-cultrual exchanges (accomplished through film or by strapping on a backpack) help you realize that the problems you face as an individual, couple, family, city, or nation are also faced by someone, somewhere else. this isnt to normalize the problem but rather to open an exchange of ideas to offer a fresh perspective on an old dilemma. words, pictures, images, faces, interactions send our minds racing- they challenge us to think.

maybe if we all thought a little bit more and bounced our ideas off of one another with the goal being to talk rather than to conclude we would have a much more peaceful society and a lot less of a dream. Warning: expect more on this topic and please contribute your thoughts.

TODAY is the start of our 3 day- Nazariya (our college student division) Films for PEACE Festival. This event, completely organized and run by college students, aims to promote and encourage awareness, appreciation and understanding of peace through films. During this festival, some of the most powerful films produced in various parts of the world will be presented. This Festival also promotes youth to raise their concerns for PEACE.