My blog lounge

I think what the discussion in the comments section of Evacuation from Gaza has reinforced for me is the fact that life is complex, and which is why I thought Chaim Yavin's documentary was so well done.

For we have seen with these events how gentle and compassionate an army can be. It can be done. We all see the tragedy for children who have no choice as they learn from horrific life experiences and the adults who teach them right from wrong.

All of a sudden "good guys" become "bad guys" and vice versa. Boundaries become blurry and we are confused. People we were taught to hate, now we are told to love.

How then, can one man (and, sadly, it usually is a man) tell us who is evil and who not? Who are sinners and who not? And we follow blindly without constantly asking difficult and uncomfortable questions over and over again?

When we declare an Axis of Evil first we wipe out millions of individual people (and, by the way, children are included in that definition) in our minds, and then allow ourselves the physical act killing of them.

I am moved and grateful that some of you felt safe enough to comment and share the complexity with all of us in what one of you, in a private e-mail to me, termed my blog lounge. The beauty of the blog is the ability to include all our voices.

Here's a thought I have: does the anonymity of the blog, the fact that we are not sitting face to face, allow us to express views we might usually keep to ourselves for fear of the discomfort?

Thanks so much to Huw, Mark, Jean, Adriana, Aine Livia, and Sue for joining with me on this journey. For even as I live far away, I hold Israel close to my heart and my thoughts are there, lately, so much.

Comments

[Joel]

I hold back on some personal matters. At times my blog may seem serene, but the life beyond the blog may be troubled or at least "interesting".

One reason why I tend to steer clear of politics is because of its contentiousness. I will not keep silent on freedom of expression issues. Those should matter to any blogger.

[ainelivia]

I agree with Joel, especially on politics, which increasingly I feel is often just a duplicitous game. Freedom of expression and the maintenance of those freedoms is vitally important to our humanity.

Interesting thought Tamar. To which right now I feel my answer is yes, which brings to mind the theme of your book, confronting our discomfort.

And I realised when I read your post that this is something that operates within me. I have a blog, apart from the main one, the blog behind the blog, I have not made public. When I reflected on your thought, I realise there are aspects of me, very vital and important aspects like my vulnerability which I often find very difficult to share.

The idea of the blog within the blog is a kind of recurring theme, and reminds me when my therapist asked me to keep a journal, that I did, though I also kept the journal within the journal; which I suppose if I am going to face it (what's the it?) was about my unacceptable self even in therapy!

I suppose ( I'm kind of realising this as I write) that not being able to say some things face to face is about all kinds of fears and discomforts. Fear of not being heard, fear of being misunderstood; also learning to speak of deep feelings and emotions in a way that is not accusatory or blaming, (for it's all to easy to point the finger and disown or offload the responsibility, that eases the discomfort) and in being able to speak and face our discomfort.

And now I think, have I said too much? is this far too long for a comment response? who am I saying it to? (apart from Tamar) and god what will they think? Ooooops. what the heck. Thanks Tamar, once again you have stimulated a lot for reflection, something I think about often.

[Tamar]

Aine Livia, I appreciate that you feel safe enough to share your vulnerabilities in this comment section. I am happy to accomodate self-reflections and soul-searchings as you have permitted yourself to do here. While talking with my son on the phone yesterday I remarked to him that I am more comfortable on the blog or via e-mail than even on the phone. Through blogging, I have realized that. I guess part of my reason is that I feel I "take up too much time and space" when I am face to face. It's part of my lack of confidence "stuff." On the blog or via e-mail I feel that others have the option to opt out ... and then I feel less anxiety.

Joel,
I agree, political subjects do bring up a lot of emotion, passion, anger and disagreement. It makes so many people defensive and sore. But, yes, free speech, human rights, and inclusion versus exclusion are terribly important for me, and I will always speak out about them via the blog or in person even though it might cause me and others discomfort.