March 16, 2002

The University ex-pats have been such a gift of community for us.

Day two of an actual weekend. We invited the ex-pats over for a party/get-together/potluck gathering. Now that our numbers have been depleted by six (including a couple who were, in many ways, the glue for the group), and given the absolute chaos of the death tolls of the last few weeks, it seems absolutely vital to get together. We did so not only to give each other a break and some support, but also to talk about what - if anything - more we could be doing to participate in peace-making and justice issues in our immediate area. Most people are writing a great deal now, but trying to find Western newspapers willing to publish a view "outside the mainstream" is much like beating your head against a wall. Particularly for teachers, the unreliable situation makes planning an impossibility. But we gained much strength from hearing how others were coping and brainstorming about other possibilities. Fruitful.

We also watched a short spot which is currently in heavy rotation on Lebanese TV which shows scenes of Israeli and Palestinian funerals as well as Israeli soldiers and Palestinian civilians while Bruce Springsteen's version of "War" plays in the background. It ends powerfully with the message "Arabs Want Peace." So do we, my friends, so do we...