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Poetry and Art

Synthesis of Poetry and Art from This Week's Readings

List of Items:

Mahmoud Darwish’s Memory for Forgetfulness – Poetic prose about memory, loss, and resilience.

Lena Khalaf Tuffaha’s Water & Salt – Poems reflecting on displacement, identity, and longing for home.

Artistic depictions of the Nakba – Visual art portraying the trauma and survival of Palestinians.

Political graffiti from occupied territories – Bold imagery and words as acts of resistance.

These pieces tell a story about displacement, resistance, and the enduring human spirit. Darwish's poetic observations and Tuffaha's expressive poems capture the emotional weight of exile and the longing for home. Art and graffiti graphically emphasize these concepts, serving as both testimony and opposition.

The shared story is one of survival, with individuals and groups reclaiming their humanity through remembrance, creativity, and resistance. These essays do more than merely narrate sorrow; they advocate for the right to exist, prosper, and remember. Together, they form a mosaic of stories, emotions, and actions of resistance that link personal and collective histories.

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Reflection on The Time That Remains

One of the most powerful scenes is Fuad's silent resistance, in which he pictures his neighbors and insists on remaining in his community despite the takeover. This simple act of chronicling life becomes a sort of defiance, echoing themes of perseverance found in Mahmoud Darwish's work. It serves as a reminder that resistance does not necessarily have to be loud; it can also be about maintaining identity and memory.

Another striking image is the mother's stoicism during an interrogation, which demonstrates the calm strength required to face everyday humiliation under occupation. This scene exemplifies the generational anguish shown in Al-Nakba: The Palestinian Catastrophe, in which personal accounts bring history to life.

The video complements the historical data by emphasizing intimate, personal experiences rather than large political storylines. Its blend of humor, sadness, and surrealism provides a unique perspective on the Palestinian cause, depicting survival as an act of resistance.

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Mahmoud Darwish's Memory for Forgetfulness

Mahmoud Darwish's Memory for Forgetfulness is a moving meditation on identity, grief, and resilience in the face of tremendous brutality. His creative work conveys the claustrophobia of being under siege, combining personal musings with larger political and historical comments. What struck me the most was his ability to express the complexities of exile—not only the physical relocation, but also the emotional fragmentation of being separated from one's birthplace.

One phrase that stood out was his comment on coffee as a simple yet significant act of resistance. In a world in disarray, the act of preparing coffee becomes a symbol of humanity, a way to restore normalcy in the midst of disaster. This reminded me of how simple rituals in our life, such as eating a meal with family or taking a quiet moment to blog, can become acts of survival in difficult times. While my own difficulties pale in contrast to the horrors Darwish depicts, his remarks reminded me of the value of cherishing small joys and moments of connection, no matter what the circumstances.

Darwish's writing also got me thinking about how memory influences identity. His work explores the tension between remembering and forgetting—a concept that seems especially timely today, as we manage global crises and shifting narratives about history and justice. It forces me to evaluate how memory works in my own life: what stories do I save and what do I choose to let go of?

Finally, Memory for Forgetfulness left me both motivated and troubled. It reminded me of the value of storytelling in preserving history and resisting erasure, as well as the weight of memory on people who have been displaced. Darwish's words ask us to bear witness to these stories, even if they make us uncomfortable, because they connect us to a common humanity that transcends borders and governments.

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Election results

Honestly the results pissed me off so much. I lost motivation to do any school work, especially screwed me over since I had a math midterm that Friday. I am scared for my rights as a women and also as a child of both immigrant parents. I fear for what project 2025 will do when it is implemented and also what he's planning on doing with those who do not have a visa or permanent residences. His threats scare even me because he is threatening to send anyone who doesn't have American citizen back to their country but also those with American citizenship. Even if I was born here, where would I go if he were to deport me? I am born here yet I wouldn't be welcome here. I also fear for the rights of women in other states where they don't have the right to their own human autonomy.

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The debate over Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis

The ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza is perhaps one of the most controversial news stories. Depending on the source, this problem is frequently presented differently, which results in serious inconsistencies in the accounts of the causes, accountability, and possible remedies.

Contradictory Source: Pro-Israel Perspective

Source: The Times of Israel Article Title: "Hamas Exploiting Humanitarian Aid for Terrorism."

Argument: This viewpoint emphasizes how Hamas uses foreign aid for military objectives instead of meeting the needs of civilians. It emphasizes that the situation is a result of Hamas's leadership and militant activities and presents the embargo as an essential security measure to stop assaults on Israel.

Pro-Palestinian Perspective:

Source: Al Jazeera Article Title: "Gaza Blockade: A Decade of Collective Punishment."

Argument: According to this source, the Israeli embargo is the main reason for Gaza's humanitarian crisis and is a violation of international law because it is a form of collective punishment. It highlights the terrible circumstances—such as the lack of access to electricity, clean water, and medical supplies—and demands that the blockade be lifted in order to lessen suffering.

Neutral/International Perspective

Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Report: "Humanitarian Needs Overview: Gaza 2024."

Argument: This research emphasizes humanitarian data, claiming that more than 80% of Gaza's population depends on foreign assistance and that the embargo, problems with internal governance, and sporadic spikes in violence are all contributing factors to the catastrophe.

These sources offer wildly divergent accounts of the crisis:

Accountability: Al Jazeera emphasizes Israel's part in implementing the blockade, whereas the Times of Israel lays the full blame on Hamas. The UN presents a more impartial perspective, recognizing a number of contributing elements. Solutions: The Palestinian narrative calls for the rapid lifting of the blockade, while the Israeli narrative supports its continuation as a security precaution. The UN prioritizes tackling systemic problems and increasing humanitarian help.

While objective evidence and firsthand testimonials can help to pinpoint the truth, fully resolving the issue is significantly more difficult. The opposing narratives reflect broader political and historical divides that cannot be resolved only through media. However, recognizing and comprehending these discrepancies is a step toward more informed discussion.

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Al-Nakba; The Palestinian catastrophe

Bibliography:

The Balfour Declaration (1917)

United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine (1947)

The British White Paper (1939)

The Deir Yassin Massacre (1948)

Palestinian Oral Histories

The video and its sources present a full comprehensive historical narrative of the Nakba, giving both political and personal perspectives. The Balfour Declaration and the UN Partition Plan demonstrate how international powers influenced Palestine's trajectory with little consideration for its indigenous inhabitants, establishing a precedent for external intervention that continues to this day. The Deir Yassin massacre and oral testimonials highlight the horrific reality of this era, giving voice to Palestinian experiences that are typically overlooked in mainstream narratives. The British White Paper depicts colonial powers' inconsistent practices, juggling the demands of Zionist aspirations with Arab resistance, resulting in turmoil and bloodshed.

Watching this documentary helped me comprehend the profoundly rooted causes of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, particularly the systematic displacement and erasure of Palestinian identity during the Nakba. This historical backdrop is crucial for evaluating current events, including settlement debates and the ongoing refugee crisis. It emphasizes the need of elevating underrepresented perspectives and critically scrutinizing imperialist legacies in shaping today's reality.

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khalidi chapter 2 blog post 1

Bibliography:

The Making of Arab-Americans: From Syrian Nationalism to U.S. Citizenship. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2014, 239–95.

"Palestinians Fighting Against Nazis: The Story of Palestinian Volunteers in the Second World War." War in History, November 2017, 1–23.

Department of State Bulletin, XVI, 411, May 1947.

Our American Israel: The Story of an Entangled Alliance. Houghton Mifflin, 1999.

"On Albert Hourani, the Arab Office and the Anglo-American Committee of 1946." Journal of Palestine Studies, vol. 35, no. 1 (2005–6), 69–79.

These sources help us deepen our understanding of the historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as the importance of Arab-American identity in broader U.S. politics. For example, Hani Bawardi's work demonstrates how Arab-Americans established organizations that reflect complicated transnational linkages and are still relevant in diaspora communities working for Palestinian rights. The Alexandria Protocol and Abbasi's studies show how Palestinian nationalism and Arab state policies emerged alongside international events such as WWII, contributing to the current regional issues. Kaplan's analysis of US-Israel ties, as well as Hourani's investigation of intellectuals, illustrate how external influences shaped Middle Eastern narratives and policy. These works jointly contribute to a nuanced understanding of the past and give light on how historical intricacies impact current events, such as ongoing arguments over statehood and US foreign aid to Israel.

These perspectives influence my perception of current events by giving me an emphasis that present conflicts have deep rooted history, that it didn't just come out of no where and that comprehending this history is necessary for informed participation.

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Around the world and politics

This class is a nice way to relax and not be super stressed. This class for me is in between my three major classes and it's nice that you as a professor understand us and understand that we have other classes and midterms to study for. Your class is interesting because you aren't afraid to speak up about politics or what's happening in the middle east. Since Tuesday, I have not really been able to focus on studying, as a result I did really bad on my second calculus midterm and I am not happy my score and I'm now close to failing. I'm not happy with the results of the election and I fear about how my life and people around me will be affected in the next 4 years. And how our lives will change because of project 2025, I fear for my aid for school because they plan to cut funding for education.

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Intersectionality

Intersectionality is how many systems of oppression and discrimination are combined to create unique experiences for every individual.

I personally haven't experienced anything challenging because of my intersectionality but I know people around me have.

Problems that we face that can stem from other problems/ stuff we can't change or control. For example when covid hit and people started being racists towards Chinese people just because the pandemic originated from that region. They started hurting others in a lot of different countries even though those people had nothing to do with it. You can't lump one person into a group of people.

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going to Canada and eating out with friends ( ˘▽˘)っ♨

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Journalism

First video:

Its very surprising to me that he sounded so nonchalant about genocide happening in Syria while saying that we would have to join Russia to get it to stop. I personally have never heard of either Aleppo nor Gary Jonson but I am glad he didn't win the presidential election in 2016. What's happening in Aleppo is very sad and shouldnt be dismissed like that.

Second video:

You can’t generalize one group of people with another just because they share a religion. I like how he defends not just one country but also all the other ones. He wasn't able to talk about his book but he brought up great points about countries like Indonesia, Pakistan and other christian countries. He also brought up statistics that match his argument. 

Third video:

He speaks up for palestinian voice because no other news outlets were speaking about the stuff happening in that county. Why support a country that has tiers like everyone that isn't israelian get all the rights but everyone that isn't is below and doesn't get the rights. Apartheid system…

Fourth video:

Shows the aftermath of the bombing in Aleppo, there was no mainstream news coverage on this so it was probably unknown to a bunch of people. It reminds me a lot about what's happening in Palestine right now and the bombings that are happening. Even if you weren't close to your neighbor or dont know them, you still mourn them.

Overall, the videos create a mosaic of perspectives, balancing subjective opinion, data-driven arguments, and strong primary sources. Videos that include concrete facts, such as images of Aleppo or statistics, tend to increase believability and quality, whereas opinion-heavy clips may resonate more emotionally but lack supporting details. These videos contribute to the story of Middle Eastern conflict, exposing both media biases and the resilience of impacted populations.

Bibliography:

These were the first four videos we watched in call on October 25th, 2024 that I can't find the link too.

CNN. “Gary Johnson: What Is Aleppo?” YouTube, 8 Sept. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcj8yJk87cs. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

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Where Do We Go Now? and Lebanon history

Using humor and a small village as a microcosm, the film highlights Lebanon’s long standing conflict between religions and demonstrates how women used creative ways to intervene and prevent violence. It portrays Lebanon's social and political struggle and brings out the fact that citizens were highly resistant  and the fact that people weren't able to see eye to eye conflict.

Bibliography:

Arab Film Days. “Where Do We Go Now?” Arabiskefilmdager.no, www.arabiskefilmdager.no/en/film/2012/where-do-we-go-now."On the Ideological Narrative of Nadine Labaki's Where Do We Go Now?.” CineJ Cinema Journal, vol. 4, no. 1, Cinema Escapist, www.cinemaescapist.com/where-do-we-go-now-review/.Ng, David. “Nadine Labaki Uses Humor to Bridge Lebanon’s Divisions.” Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2012, www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2012-may-05-la-et-mn-nadine-labaki-20120505-story.html.Shufro, Cathy. "Lebanon’s History Seen Through Film." Cinema Escapist, www.cinemaescapist.com/where-do-we-go-now-review/.

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Where Do We Go Now and Brothers of the gun comparison

Where do we go now is a Lebanese film from 2011 about a village that deals with religious distrust and violence within the village. It uses humor and solidarity between the women in the film, embracing the resistance through preservation of social cohesion. Even though this story is fiction, it suggests that peace can be made through shared humanity. Brothers of the gun is a memoir about the Syrian civil war. The author's narrative talks about the toll of extremism on his family and friends, telling us a story about the resistance. Both works highlight the people's ability for resistance, perseverance and an attempt to maintain humanity through the toughest parts of their life despite the brutality of war and violence.  

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Latin Literature

Reviewing ancient texts through the POV of writing, political disclosure and visual representation and how it contributed significantly to the modern understanding of Roman Literature. By giving us multiple examples of different genres written in Roman Literature where they talked about things that weren't (to my knowledge) "normalized" for example gender, a woman's grief or a woman's affair. These books help with ancient geography and gave us a better understanding of the culture.

Bibliography:

Walter A. Latin literature. Greece and Rome. 2024;71(1):127-136. doi:10.1017/S001738352300027X

Erzählen der Macht – Macht des Erzählens. Eine Analyse der sog. Sulpicia-Elegien (Corpus Tibullianum III 8–18). IPHIS – Gender Studies in den Altertumswissenschaften, Bd. 13. By Eva Werner. Trier, Wissenschaftlicher Verlag Trier, 2022. Pp. 236. Paperback £25.70, ISBN: 978-3-868-21941-8.

Healing Grief. A Commentary on Seneca's ‘Consolatio ad Marciam’. By Fabio Tutrone. CICERO 6. Berlin, de Gruyter, 2022. Pp. x + 365. Hardback £73.00, ISBN: 978-3-111-00742-7.

Analysing the Boundaries of the Ancient Roman Garden. (Re)Framing the Hortus. By Victoria Austen. Ancient Environments. London, Bloomsbury Academic, 2023. Pp. xii + 211. Hardback £85.00, ISBN: 978-1-350-26518-9.

Maximianus’ ‘Elegies’. Love Elegy Grew Old. By Vasileios Pappas. Beiträge zur Altertumskunde 46. Berlin, de Gruyter, 2022. Pp. viii + 246. Hardback £103.50, ISBN: 978-3-110-77037-7.

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Fun time with friends

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Korean Trot music

A Korean genre of music known for the repeated beat and vocals. It originated during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the early 20th century. Its influenced by many genres of Asian, European and North American music. (I also realized that this is not an unknown cultural group and I misread the prompt.)

Some of the most popular, well known trot music include:

Love Battery by Hong Jin-young

Amor Fati by Kim Yon Ja

Oh My! by Jang Yoon-jeong

Unconditional (무조건) by Park Sang Chul

동반자 (Partner For Life) by 태진 (Tae Jin Ah)

Bibliography:

RIAK OFFICIAL. “[Official Audio] 태진아(Tae Jin Ah) - 동반자(Partner for Life).” YouTube, 7 Dec. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RTvvdWklCA.

fortunekidvonhong. “Korean Trot - Unconditional (무조건) by 박상철.” YouTube, 23 Aug. 2008, www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxB8BNvtlPk.

1theK (��더케이). “[MV] Jang Yoon Jeong(장윤정) _ Oh My!(어머나!).” YouTube, 8 Nov. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3Gde3RwTzA.

KBS WORLD TV. “Kim Yeon Ja + All Casts - Amor Fati | 김연자 + 전 출연진 - 아모르 파티 [2018 KBS Song Festival / 2018.12.28].” YouTube, 28 Dec. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3BxCdaCjE0.

MBCkpop. “Hong Jin-young - Love Battery, 홍진영 - 사랑의 배터리, Music Core 20090627.” YouTube, 6 Feb. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkCXsFBjCMw.

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Binti

While reading Binti I found it kind of confusing. A lot of the words are italicized and you kind of have to read between the lines because the words aren't explained. To me, the setting changes were confusing with the jumps to different places. I think I would like this book more if I had more background knowledge of the culture and people of which this book was written based of off. I personally am not a fan of reading 1st person books. The random mentioning of equations: "V-E + F = 2, a^2 + b^2 = c^2". There was also part of the book where her heart beat faster because of some guy she just met and then he died? I felt like it was useless information. This book is okay but I probably would not read it if I were to choose a book to read. But I did like how at no point in the book could I predict what would happen next.