Two Truths

"It is true that society's [Jerusalem's] problems are deeply rooted in tradition. It is also true that solutions to these problems can grow from the same place."

                                                                                                  -Amy Horowitz    

This statement seemed to outline issues found in the readings over the past couple days the best. Hearing the story of the attempt by the Israeli and Palestinian women who came together to put on the Jerusalem festival for the Smithsonian Institute, showed if these truths could be the reality. From both sides of the table, the two ethnic groups (Jews and Arabs) were set forth with the task to display the cultural characteristics and traditions to put forth on the National Mall. What a feat that would be.

While it was so easy for me to see why these traditions were capable of dividing the two ethnic groups, it was much more difficult for me to understand why the author said it was able to solve the problems. From history, we have seen how cultural traditions have been a centrifugal force that has divided these groups. Traditions such as food styles, musical pieces, wedding celebrations and such were all spoken of throughout the texts as issues that the people designing the project had to overcome.

All that being said, the question still remained in my mind as to what could possibly be a tradition that brings people together in a situation such as Jerusalem. I first thought of it being as simple as a common goal for peace in the region. But as the writers of the article have stated, one cannot look at a modern outlook on life without first understanding the history behind that very outlook. That being said, while a Jewish person may want peace, they may also feel the need for security from what they see as a threat of violence from the Palestinians. On the contrary, a Palestinian may desire justice for the deeds done by the Jewish settlers more than they desire peace.

So now looking back at the statement of two truths, I realize that something has to be done in order for these two people groups to allow themselves to come together through their respective traditions. In the same way as the ladies putting together the festival did, I have struggled to come to understand how that issue can be solved. So while the above statement has two truths included in it, under the present circumstances there is only one reality. Until people allow themselves to respect the others traditions, they will only be capable of dividing them.