I rather enjoyed the two chapters from Suad Amiry's diaries. Assuming that these stories are true, I admire Amiry's effort in retelling her stories in a more positive, humorous tone. Even with the dark backdrop, the people in her memories seem to reflect a sense of empowerment. Though they are second class citizens in the Israeli state, the characters joke through their circumstances and do not let it drag them down. The chapter "A Dog's life," shows Suad It seems rather unbelievable that dogs are given citizenship where else their owners, as human beings, do not. Even passing through checkpoints is easier for Suad's Jerusalem dog. In the "Promised Gas Masks," the Palestinians made a pointless outing to receive gas masks. Though they are the ruling power, the Israeli soldiers are depicted as incompetent people who use their power in ridiculous ways. Though these stories does not have an ominous, fearful tone, it does not change the fact that these unequal treatment is part of their everyday lives. How the story is told kind of seems like they just go with the flow. This does not mean that the people are indifferent to their situations, but make the best they can out of it. It seems that even though they are restricted in doing certain ways, their strength still shows through.
"Not the Mother of All Cities," gave me a different perspective on how to view the city. As a female, Jerusalem has been coveted and adorned by men that have overpowered her. I kind of imagined Jerusalem as a wife of a controlling husband. She is yearning to be free and show her true self, but is limited to what her husband wants her to be. Jerusalem as a "widowed or bereaved mother," makes it sound like the city is a hopeless woman, who is in need of a man to survive. The land is not deprived nor does it need help of one's view to make it better. What is needs is for all it's cultures to be allowed to flourish.
Questions
1. How are Israeli and Palestinian woman treated? How are they the same and how do they differ?
2. How do your feminist views affect your views on peace?
3. If woman had more say in political issues, what would their stance be?
Regarding Not the Mother of All Cities, I wonder what other cities are--if not "coveted and adorned by men"?
ReplyDeleteI mean, is Jerusalem any different from other cities? Maybe in terms of how much it is coveted (and contested), but aren't all cities--all territory, too--coveted and conquered?
So how is Jerusalem special, in this manner of thinking?