Remembering Dr. King: Countering Racism and Intolerance

This month, we celebrate Martin Luther King’s birthday and commemorate his legacy by doing service work.   Although the civil rights movement Dr. King championed was ultimately effective, many would argue the fight against racism and intolerance is far from over.

According to TIME magazine, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and other civil rights groups, there has been a dramatic rise in the increase of  hate groups and militias  in the past two years.  Last month, the department store chain Lowe’s was came under fire for pulling ads from the popular TLC show “All-American Muslim”.   The controversial immigration laws recently passed in Arizona and Alabama have created heated debates on issues of racial profiling. It seems as though everywhere we look, we can see flags of racism, intolerance and misunderstanding. But, pockets of tolerance and understanding do exist and one such place is our international summer camp in Virginia.

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains, Global Youth Village stands out as a place where racism and intolerance are openly discussed. These difficult and complex topics  often come up during our peace building and dialogue workshops where young people are encouraged to confront their own stereotypes or racist attitudes; they are then equipped with the tools to constructively address their issues.

After being forced by the Serbs to flee his home in Kosovo in 1999,  alum Kreshe Kacaniku P’03  says, “I had a lot of prejudice towards certain people groups before I came to GYV, but  I changed.  At GYV, I  learned not to hate, not to be prejudiced. ” During the past 33 years, Global Youth Village has trained young people from conflict-ridden countries like Cambodia, Israel/Palestine, Iraq, and Ireland and provided them with tools to become more conscious, tolerant and compassionate peace builders.

Most recently in our 2011 program, the stereotypes that lead to ignorance, intolerance and racism were shattered once again. Participant Jacob Trump P’11 said, “In American culture, when we look at Iraqis or anyone from the Muslim religion or faith, we generally think about a head covering, a suicide bombing or war. I think I had that stereotype. I really did, but it has genuinely been torn down for me at Global Youth Village.”

Against the backdrop of an increasingly intolerant world, Global Youth Village continues to be place that creates common ground among people of different backgrounds. The program demonstrates that universal  human values such  as peace, justice, tolerance and understanding can be a reality. Our 2012 programs hope to continue this legacy.

 I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality…. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.
— Martin Luther King, Jr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letters from Iraq

About 200 Iraqi youth have attended Global Youth Village since 2008.  Last week, the last remaining American troops left Iraq. How will their departure affect the situation in Iraq? What are things like on the ground now? Read letters from our  2011 Iraqi alums for some answers; they  reflect personal opinions from various parts of the country and the writers’ names have been withheld.

Young man from Baghdad:

” For the past two years, we haven’t been seeing American soldiers  in the streets.  The average Iraqi citizen in the street will not notice that the soldiers have left.  Security is generally in the hands of the Iraqi forces these days so I don’t think that there will be a lot of changes in security. Compared to three years ago, things in general are better. The recent bomb blasts are creepy.  Every time a bomb goes off we race to the phone to call our family members and make sure that everyone is OK.”

Young woman from Basra:

“I don’t have strong feelings about the troops leaving or staying.  The future of Iraq doesn’t depend on their presence or departure.  Iraq’s issues stem from our messed up government.”

A man from Anbar:

“I’m partially happy that the troops are leaving  because we are going to have our freedom back and our army will have a chance to take responsibility.  However, our army may not yet be to handle security.  I am afraid that the country will be divided or it will be controlled by Iran. The P.M. of Iraq is merely a toy in the hands of the Iranian government. The security situation is deteriorating.  Last week we had some kidnappings and assassinations along with explosions and bombings.  Around  250 people have been killed. My cousin decide to leave his school in Baghdad because three of his friends were kidnapped on Thursday because they are Sunni. Nobody knows where they are.   A professor from Baghdad university/ college of law was murdered last week too so it looks like we’re headed into a civil war.  This time, we will have no US troops to protect the civilians and to take  weapons away from the militias.“

Young woman from Hilla:

“I have mixed feelings about the situation in Iraq.  I’m happy for the American troops because they will go back to their families; they have suffered a lot. I’m sad because I don’t think that my  country can protect itself and our future is probably better with the American troops here. The security situation will become worse because our soldiers don’t honor their profession and if they receive bribes they will not pay attention to the country’s security.  In general, the  Americans soldiers carry out their duties loyally and faithfully compared to the Iraqi ones.”

Young man from Baghdad:

“I  feel very bad because the American soldiers were protecting us and their departure was premature.  We don’t have a strong army yet.  Iraq’s future would have been  brighter and better with American troops because of our army is not ready to protect  us and defeat the terrorists from other countries. I plead with the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad to work harder and process our papers. We are waiting for our U.S. visas and are receiving threats.”

Young man from Kurdistan (Northern Iraq):

“Currently our country is on the brink of a civil war – the Vice President has fled to the North (to Kurdistan where I am living) because he’s been accused of leading terrorist operations. A wave of bombings was targeted at Baghdad, the capital, along with the other southern cities right after the U.S troops left. Iran is also making things worse by interfering in our politics. The Iranian government, which is composed of the Shiites, supports Nuri Maliki who is now seen by the Sunnis as a dictator.  To sum it all up up: things do not look good. I am just hoping that things get better – especially in the South, where so many are dying due to lack of security.”

 

GYV Participants serve with Feeding America

This Thanksgiving, many of us have much to be grateful for and will be celebrating with a big meal. But did you know that 1 in 6 Americans may not have much of anything on their tables this Thanksgiving?  Participants at the Global Youth Village  international summer program grappled with the severe issue of hunger this summer and helped to prepare and serve a meal at a local soup kitchen operated by Feeding America. Feeding America is the country’s largest domestic hunger relief charity.  GYV youth  found their service trip to be a rewarding experience. Israel Ortiz  said, ” I had no idea that hunger was such a serious issue in our country.  I’m glad I’m more educated about it…and that I helped  cook and a serve a meal to my fellow citizens.”  In total, participants donated more than 100 hours of service to Feeding America.

Here are some shocking facts about hunger in America:

-In 2010, 48.8 million Americans lived in food insecure households, 32.6 million adults and 16.2 million children.

-In 2010, 4.8 percent of all U.S. households (5.6 million households) accessed emergency food from a food pantry one or more times.

Test your knowledge to see how much you know about hunger in America by taking the following quiz.

(Source: www.feedingamerica.org)

You Believe

Discussions have an important place at the Global Youth Village international summer program. Participants are encouraged to speak freely about their thoughts, learning more about  about each other’s beliefs and cultures. In 2011, youth engaged in  the exercise “I Believe”.  Below is an engaging compilation of their thoughts by workshop instructor Elliot Leffler.

 

You believe in diversity, in humanity, in life.

You believe in forgiveness, equality, and freedom.

Many of you believe in God.

You believe that when we look at the sky and the ground and the morning and the night you can know that there is a great power to make all of this.

Some of you believe that we are all equal in God’s eyes, that all religions lead to peace.

Some of you believe that God created us to worship him.

Some believe that life is an exam.  You believe that humans are tested by God on a daily basis, and that we will never go through some difficulty which we will not be able to handle.

Some of you believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Some believe in the Virgin Mary and her miracles.  Others specified that God works alone, without partners.

Some of you believe in the prophet Mohammad, and in the Holy Quran.

Some believe in Love.

Some believe that the world is a wet mud in which you can create whatever you want –

But some of you believe that it takes more than one person to make a difference.

Some of you believe in holding fast to community and to tradition.

But you believe that you don’t have to go to church every Sunday to have God with you.

Some of you believe that there is no God.

You believe (some of you) that the Old Testament is not always true, that it’s different from the New Testament.  The old stories, you believe, are just symbols.

You believe that every religion has their own rules and beliefs, and that all religions have equality before God, but that you have chosen the right choice.

You believe that the words found in Quran are God’s words, and they are the only valid laws for the human race.

You believe that it is everyone’s job to save the planet.

You believe that in every thing and every moment there is a truth to be learned.

Many of you believe that all religions see the same God from different perspectives.

Some of you believe that a person is born good.

Others believe that human beings are bad, that when we are born in this world we are destined for hell.

Others believe that every man has the power to be good or bad.  Some believe in two types of human beings: good and bad.

One of you believes that everyone ends up going to heaven.

You believe in miracles – some of you.

You believe everything is connected.

You believe in equality between men and women, and between races.

Some of you believe that Jesus died on the cross, to save you from your sins, in order for you to go to heaven.

Some believe in praying five times a day, in fasting for Ramadan, in expressing your faith in your God and his prophet, in making pilgrimage, and in giving money for poor people.

Some believe that our purpose on earth is to leave a positive impact on the lives of others.

You believe in the pursuit of happiness.

You believe that your country will be better one day.

You believe that someday all war will end.

You believe that some day all people will live together.

You believe nothing is impossible.

You believe in dreams.

You believe that you have to believe.

 

Being a global citizen

Participants in the 2011 Global Youth Village international summer program were asked:“What does it take to be a Global Citizen?”

Here are some of their thoughts on “What does it take to be a Global Citizen?” :

1.  Realizing that if we are creative we can find better ways to share natural resources

2.  Really listening to others and even if you don’t agree with their point of view realize you gain something from giving people the space to share perspectives

3.  Remembering that change is constant  and at the same time  traditions and our heritage are  important elements to maintain

4.   Experiencing others through  travel and if you can’t travel, then communicate with people via the web

5.  Recognizing that a  global citizen has to take responsibility not only for him or herself but for others.

6.  Cultivating confidence, serenity and contentment.

7. Having an expansive mind and understanding that there are universal  values that underlie all cultures.

During different Morning Workshops each summer, youth from around the world actively engage in discussing compelling questions.  Through practicing deep listening skills, critical thinking  and using  techniques for effective dialogue, you  return  to your own community with new abilities to promote change – that is part of the GYV philosophy and goals.

Identifying Universal Values and Building Common Ground

At first, one would think Iraqi and US teens would have little in common since their life experiences are so different. However  during GYV’s  Peace-building Program, there has been incredible connection, integration, and appreciation between the youth from the U.S. and from Iraq. Friendships have become so strong and people have bonded over open discussions of cultural differences.

A moment that brought us all together came from a speech GYV founder, J.E. Rash, gave the first day the youth arrived. He pointed out that there are certain universal human values that transcend cultures and continents. The young people from both countries added compassion, honesty, integrity, respect, courage, family, community, strength, open-mindedness, humility, and the ability to listen to a list of universal values.  Recognizing that we all aspire to and agree upon the same ideals created a foundation for open communication and respect that was perfect for living in cabins together, participating in our peace-building workshops, and engaging in all of the other fun activities around the Global Youth Village.

One 16-year-old Iraqi participant described her experience at GYV this way:

The Americans were so nice. I learned a lot of stuff here – to be responsible for myself, to care for myself and my friends in hard times, and it was a great experience for me to meet the Americans and talk with them. My thought about Americans changed when I came here and met them. The way I talked to them, we talked about a lot of stuff we have in common, and the workshops were great and fun. Yesterday we were all dancing.

Despite diverse cultural practices, variations in religion, and differences between our governments, recognizing the universal human values we all share transcends these separations and provides hope for a peaceful world community.

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