Submitted by Frieda Becker on Thu, 09/04/2009 - 19:33.
Dear Falastine,
Hi! My name is Frieda and I am a sophomore student at Ithaca College in New York. I am a member of a special topics politics class about Witness Occupation and Displacement and one of our areas of focus is the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Our class has worked several times with RJI; we've had a video conference (and will be having another this coming week), and Jennifer came to speak at our school a few weeks ago. We actually read some of your poems which were incredible!
As a part of the class, we are putting together a presentation illustrating the daily lives of Palestinians, focusing on the human story with the hope of creating an emotional connection to motivate our audiences to create change in this issue.
Jennifer spoke very highly of you and I was hoping that you might be able to answer some questions for us for our documentary.
The following are some of our questions which, if you're willing, you can respond via this site or e-mail me at frieda.becker@gmail.com
1. What do you and your friends/family like to do for fun or in free time?
2. How is your access to a variety of food and other necessities impaired by the occupation?
3. How does reading/television come into play in the lives of Palestinians? Are these used more for news or pleasure reading? Are there any restrictions (such as limited access or bans on imports etc)? (This can also include videogame as a form of entertainment; are there cinemas?)
4. What seems to be the most frustrating aspect of everyday life in Palestine?
5. When there are curfews, what are they like?
6. Do you feel language education plays an important role in Palestine? What sort of value is placed on homework and political education? What are the general attitudes and dedication of Palestinians to these areas?
We have several other questions for you, but I don't want to overwhelm you at the moment with too many questions. I'd rather hear your views more in-depth about a few questions at once than a scattering of thoughts on too many questions. I hope you're interested in having this conversation as I'm very excited for it.
Thank you so much; i'm looking forward to hearing from you,
Frieda
Submitted by Falastine on Sun, 12/04/2009 - 07:33.
Dear Frieda,
Thank you for your kind letter. I'm glad and honored to take part in this conversation, so please feel free to ask any questions, I'll be more than glad to help.
Q.1. What do you and your friends/family like to do for fun or in free time?
My time with friends and family is just like everyone around the world, because after all these are human relationships that become shared values in a way or another. I usually meet up with friends to hang out, have fun, and talk about our worries, experiences, dreams, music, movies, and everything else friends can talk about. The different thing probably is that we usually end up talking about politics no matter where we start that conversation; because after all its an essential part of our daily life and experiences.
2. How is your access to a variety of food and other necessities impaired by the occupation?
My access to food and other necessities is not impaired by the occupation at the moment, but it was so during manytimes when an israeli invasion or curfew took over the city of Nablus where I live. Nevertheless, many Palestinians are suffering from this problem especially in Gaza, where the Israeli seige impaired people's access to very essential things such as children milk and medicine. Overall, being impaired from having your freedom and dignity, which is to me no less of a necessity for life, is the worst part of all.
3. How does reading/television come into play in the lives of Palestinians? Are these used more for news or pleasure reading? Are there any restrictions (such as limited access or bans on imports etc)? (This can also include videogame as a form of entertainment; are there cinemas?)
I grew up in a house where the only permenant thing we watched daily on TV is news and political shows, and I know from my friends that this is case almost in every Palestinian house. We do watch movies and series etc., but politics takes over the scene. I believe things are different with reading though - people tend to read in a variety of topics, politics is a major theme, but it doesn't take over the scene completely. Are there any restrictions? Not as far as I know. Palestine is one of the few countries in the Middle East where we have full access to all kinds of book and internet materials.
4. What seems to be the most frustrating aspect of everyday life in Palestine?
I think that the most frustrating aspect in everyday life in palestine is definitely associated with ones age, gender, and interests. As a 23 years old liberal Palestinian woman, the most frustating thing for me is the social and cultural redlines that I'm not allowed to cross. Women in Palestine realized a meaningful chunk of their potential in the sense that they are usually granted university education and they are wanted in the work market. But we definitely still have a way to go towards our equality and freedom.
5. When there are curfews, what are they like?
They are one of the worst experiences, because when a curfew happen it's taken for granted that someone innocent will be murdered, innocent people will be used as human shields, and the daily normal life is simply paralyzed because breaking the curfew trying to get to school or job or university could have a high price, probably life.
6. Do you feel language education plays an important role in Palestine? What sort of value is placed on homework and political education? What are the general attitudes and dedication of Palestinians to these areas?
Language education is vital in Palestine, and thats why students start studying English and sometimes French at the age of 6. We are isolated from the rest of the world, and language is a vital method to bridge tha gap with the world around us and voice our feelings, experiences, and cause.
Feel free to ask any other questions. I'm here to help :)
Submitted by Peter Jones (not verified) on Thu, 06/03/2008 - 23:19.
I am an American college student, and I feel like letting you know that your objective attitude is what we need as a world community for progression. There is so much hate in the world, and both sides in this conflict have problems, but it is good to see your honest reflection, and it gives me hope for a future solution in the world.
Submitted by Falastine on Sat, 08/03/2008 - 01:08.
Hi Peter,
I'd like to thank you for your comment. I'm also a university student and it pleases my heart to hear such a positive and an objective perspective from someone who is on the toher side of the ocean :)
Your objective attitude and will to hear different perspective is what will make our world a better place,,, all we need is people like you Peter... People wo open there eyes wide and dare looking at truth.
Discussions
research questions
Submitted by Frieda Becker on Thu, 09/04/2009 - 19:33.Dear Falastine,
Hi! My name is Frieda and I am a sophomore student at Ithaca College in New York. I am a member of a special topics politics class about Witness Occupation and Displacement and one of our areas of focus is the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Our class has worked several times with RJI; we've had a video conference (and will be having another this coming week), and Jennifer came to speak at our school a few weeks ago. We actually read some of your poems which were incredible!
As a part of the class, we are putting together a presentation illustrating the daily lives of Palestinians, focusing on the human story with the hope of creating an emotional connection to motivate our audiences to create change in this issue.
Jennifer spoke very highly of you and I was hoping that you might be able to answer some questions for us for our documentary.
The following are some of our questions which, if you're willing, you can respond via this site or e-mail me at frieda.becker@gmail.com
1. What do you and your friends/family like to do for fun or in free time?
2. How is your access to a variety of food and other necessities impaired by the occupation?
3. How does reading/television come into play in the lives of Palestinians? Are these used more for news or pleasure reading? Are there any restrictions (such as limited access or bans on imports etc)? (This can also include videogame as a form of entertainment; are there cinemas?)
4. What seems to be the most frustrating aspect of everyday life in Palestine?
5. When there are curfews, what are they like?
6. Do you feel language education plays an important role in Palestine? What sort of value is placed on homework and political education? What are the general attitudes and dedication of Palestinians to these areas?
We have several other questions for you, but I don't want to overwhelm you at the moment with too many questions. I'd rather hear your views more in-depth about a few questions at once than a scattering of thoughts on too many questions. I hope you're interested in having this conversation as I'm very excited for it.
Thank you so much; i'm looking forward to hearing from you,
Frieda
Unregistered user
Dear Frieda, Thank you for
Submitted by Falastine on Sun, 12/04/2009 - 07:33.Dear Frieda,
Thank you for your kind letter. I'm glad and honored to take part in this conversation, so please feel free to ask any questions, I'll be more than glad to help.
Q.1. What do you and your friends/family like to do for fun or in free time?
My time with friends and family is just like everyone around the world, because after all these are human relationships that become shared values in a way or another. I usually meet up with friends to hang out, have fun, and talk about our worries, experiences, dreams, music, movies, and everything else friends can talk about. The different thing probably is that we usually end up talking about politics no matter where we start that conversation; because after all its an essential part of our daily life and experiences.
2. How is your access to a variety of food and other necessities impaired by the occupation?
My access to food and other necessities is not impaired by the occupation at the moment, but it was so during manytimes when an israeli invasion or curfew took over the city of Nablus where I live. Nevertheless, many Palestinians are suffering from this problem especially in Gaza, where the Israeli seige impaired people's access to very essential things such as children milk and medicine. Overall, being impaired from having your freedom and dignity, which is to me no less of a necessity for life, is the worst part of all.
3. How does reading/television come into play in the lives of Palestinians? Are these used more for news or pleasure reading? Are there any restrictions (such as limited access or bans on imports etc)? (This can also include videogame as a form of entertainment; are there cinemas?)
I grew up in a house where the only permenant thing we watched daily on TV is news and political shows, and I know from my friends that this is case almost in every Palestinian house. We do watch movies and series etc., but politics takes over the scene. I believe things are different with reading though - people tend to read in a variety of topics, politics is a major theme, but it doesn't take over the scene completely. Are there any restrictions? Not as far as I know. Palestine is one of the few countries in the Middle East where we have full access to all kinds of book and internet materials.
4. What seems to be the most frustrating aspect of everyday life in Palestine?
I think that the most frustrating aspect in everyday life in palestine is definitely associated with ones age, gender, and interests. As a 23 years old liberal Palestinian woman, the most frustating thing for me is the social and cultural redlines that I'm not allowed to cross. Women in Palestine realized a meaningful chunk of their potential in the sense that they are usually granted university education and they are wanted in the work market. But we definitely still have a way to go towards our equality and freedom.
5. When there are curfews, what are they like?
They are one of the worst experiences, because when a curfew happen it's taken for granted that someone innocent will be murdered, innocent people will be used as human shields, and the daily normal life is simply paralyzed because breaking the curfew trying to get to school or job or university could have a high price, probably life.
6. Do you feel language education plays an important role in Palestine? What sort of value is placed on homework and political education? What are the general attitudes and dedication of Palestinians to these areas?
Language education is vital in Palestine, and thats why students start studying English and sometimes French at the age of 6. We are isolated from the rest of the world, and language is a vital method to bridge tha gap with the world around us and voice our feelings, experiences, and cause.
Feel free to ask any other questions. I'm here to help :)
best wishes,
Falastine
Falastine
hello
Submitted by Julia (not verified) on Fri, 18/04/2008 - 16:25.i am trying to see what exactly you wrote. I am interested in your perspective on the middle eastern conflict and village life for women.
thanks.
julia
Unregistered user
Dear Julia, I'de be glad to
Submitted by Falastine on Wed, 11/06/2008 - 10:41.Dear Julia,
I'de be glad to asnwer you. But what do you mean by " Village life for women"? Do you mean tribal traditions that affect women in the Middle East?
Falastine
Well Said
Submitted by Peter Jones (not verified) on Thu, 06/03/2008 - 23:19.I am an American college student, and I feel like letting you know that your objective attitude is what we need as a world community for progression. There is so much hate in the world, and both sides in this conflict have problems, but it is good to see your honest reflection, and it gives me hope for a future solution in the world.
Unregistered user
Thank you Peter
Submitted by Falastine on Sat, 08/03/2008 - 01:08.Hi Peter,
I'd like to thank you for your comment. I'm also a university student and it pleases my heart to hear such a positive and an objective perspective from someone who is on the toher side of the ocean :)
Your objective attitude and will to hear different perspective is what will make our world a better place,,, all we need is people like you Peter... People wo open there eyes wide and dare looking at truth.
Falastine