Soooo the conference! I ended up going. And it was awesome. I learned a lot, and made some really good contacts. Pretty much everyone who was there was either a politician, founder of an NGO, a professor, religious leader, entertainer, or someone who's done something great in their lives. People like the former US Ambassador to the Netherlands, the producer of 24, directors from Yale University, a famous egyptian actor and so much more! These were just a few of the people I got to know. So it was kind of intimidating being there but at the same time I felt like I was in the presence of greatness.
Here's a little memo about what I took away
i thought it was interesting how they were really focused not so much on the political rhelm of collaboration but rather on individuals like people to people connections and organizations for business and education but the conference recognized art...because it's something shared everywhere and is something that bonds us within a culture and cross culturally...whether through music and movies or through dance
Something they also focused on we the different types of stereotypes that middle eastern countries have about americans that they gvt has given them through censorship in the school systems. All the Muslim culture knows about Americans is what they see on tv. Complicated and sometimes crooked political figures--which something that is common everywhere, promiscuity in digital media and in music, that we are all self centered and have ulterior motives in the things that we do, and pretty much not a good a people. Instead of the Iraq war...they call it the Iraq invasion...its interesting the different dynamics
But at the same time, we are both blinded. I think we have more stereotypes--perhaps worse ones about them. I know I did when I first came. I thought everyone was out to get me. that every man was dying to "take" me away and i'd end up like the girl in Taken. Scary right? Because our media portrays Muslims as Islamic extremists, terrorists. When in reality most of them are not. It's just a group of people ruining the reputation of their people. Terrorism is not part of the Islamic faith, nor is part of any faith <--at least I think.
and in the case of women--how sorry we a of there that they have to wear a hijab, when it's actually their full out choice to wear one at all. It isn't because their homelands say to wear, it's part of their faith. They see their bodies as sacred and thus feel the need to protect, and keep it sacred in all aspects. ...and all we here about muslims is terrorism when terrorism isnt even part of the islamic faith or any faith for that matter
One we talked about the differences, we mentioned a lot of talked about our similarities. Basic neccessities of life, employment, food, a roof over your head, education. Things that are common to us all. We all want equality--and in the case of women, in some places it takes longer to develop. They talked about how often times (primarily in the Middle East for this example) society is shaped by the culture and not by the religion because in the Qua-ran, men and women are supposed to be equal, but that's obviously not being played out in real life.
So western culture and middle eastern culture are both being misrepresented whether it be through the media, or education. It wasnt we started talking about education i realized how true it was. the conference focused a lot on youth and as a student in grade school the middle east wasnt even mentioned until college really. Sure it was mentioned after 9/11 but that was about it. So all I knew was the people in the Middle East wanted to kill our people...sure it was one group of people, but as young as I and many of my friends were that was the image that we were given.
Since I've been here, all my stereotypes have been dismissed. Not everyone is out to get me, and women do not feel tied down because they have to cover their bodies--its a choice that they make because they treasure them so. The people are here are so welcoming and so friendly and they love Americans. And they love Obama. He's really been a beacon of hope to the people in this area. As he tries to bridge the gap and break down the stereotypes that we have for one another. Because God knows feelings have been hostile and a little iffy since the attacks.
So the conference focused on different countries working together to improve education and share technology, so that they too can progress towards a better tomorrow. I thought it was pretttttty goood :) There were many proposed projects--perhaps I will share those later, or you can just ask me!
Alright enough for now...! bye bye
No comments:
Post a Comment