Last week I created a facebook event for the upcoming celebration of Israel's 60th birthday, Israelpalooza. Over the weekend I received a facebook message from a student criticizing our event, calling it "delusional and disrespectful." I encourage anyone reading my blog to review her comments and then my response. I further invite you to continue this discussion and comment on my blog.
"I know this is random, but it said you were creator of the Israelpalooza event so I thought you'd be the right person to message. If not, I'd appreciate it if you could forward the message to whoever is in charge of advertising for the event.
I just wanted to say that I think it is delusional, disrespectful, not very tactful, and bordering on cruel to say that Henna, Bellydance, Falafel, Hookah, etc. is "Israeli Culture."
It's common knowledge that these things are Arab culture, to which people from eastern Europe, etc. have no connection or claim. (No I'm not Arab but the absurdity of it struck me pretty hard.)
I was in Israel last weekend and made a plain point of telling it to a man who tried to sell me Shwarma as Israeli food. He didn't have a retort and actually apologized in the end.
I mean, can you imagine being a displaced Palestinian and then hearing those who displaced you claim your cultural heritage as you own?
Eastern Europe (and the other places that Israeli citizens have migrated from, but a lot are from Eastern Europe) has it's own cultural traditions.
Tell me why it is necessary to do this? Because from an outsider's perspective, it looks like either deliberate agitation, delusion, or a combination of both."
MY REPLY:
"I appreciate you voicing your concern and bringing into question such important issues as multiculturalism in the modern democratic country we both know as Israel.
When you stated “it’s common knowledge that [henna, bellydance, falafel, hookah, etc.] are Arab culture” you failed to take into consideration other countries and non-Arab people who too claim these cultural practices as their own. Henna, for one, has been used not only by Arab Muslims but also finds deep historical roots in non-Arab countries like India.
As we have both set foot in Israel, we both have seen with our own eyes the multicultural practices that weave throughout the nation. It is also evident that Israel is not the only multicultural country who has adopted foods and various practices into its make-up. When we go to an American style restaurant, for example, we expect to see hamburgers and pizza on the menu. By your logic, America too is “absurd” for “claiming [another’s] cultural heritage as [their] own.”
Israelpalooza is an opportunity to invite students to celebrate 60 years of Israel’s history by learning about this Middle Eastern country by showcasing its multicultural livelihood. If you were to look at Israel’s population you would see that it is made up primarily of Ashkenazi Jews (from Western Europe) and Mizrahi Jews (originating from the Middle East and North Africa). Similar to America, Israel’s population draws from several cultures, not just Eastern Europe as you claimed.
As I wrote in my guest column that printed in the IDS last week, as university students, we have an obligation to become aware and educated of the world around us. Just as the last Friday’s event “A Taste of Asia” showcased dances and foods of various Asian countries and peoples, Israelpalooza too shows several facets of Israeli culture.
I encourage you further this conversation and advance your own knowledge of Israel and its culture. Check out websites like http://loolwa.com/archive/jmcp/index.html that educates about Jewish heritage in Africa and the Middle East. Before making claims about “displaced people” implying Jews have never before been displaced from their homes, know your history, and know the facts."
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3 comments:
Becca,
I find it really interesting that people would find Israelpalooza offensive. It's obvious that you were caught off guard by this message and I would have been too--the event is basically just an innocent way for jewish students to connect and truly celebrate the existance of Israel. I like your response, and I think you answered the message well--like you said, the event is relly just another way for IU students to attempt to experieince a little culture and the program was never meant to offend anyone.
I thought your response to the individual was better thought out and coherent than her message. Furthermore, the fact that she appears to ignorantly state that it is "common knowledge that these things are Arab culture" when they really aren't (as I knew and you also stated) I believe just shows that she has a general dislike for the State of Israel and all things that can possibly be associated with it.
I agree with Michael. I was very impressed with your response to the individual. I also find it interesting that, like you, I associate Henna with an Indian more than with an Arab heritage. I obviously cannot look at Israelpalooza from any view other than as a Jew, but I cannot imagine it being offensive. However, I am not new to these thoughts. I have a friend whose family is from Lebanon, and she uses Lebanese Independence Day as an excuse to have a big party. We always end up arguing about the differences between Israeli and Lebanese food, which are basically the same. I think what we need to remember is that, in spite of feuds stemming mainly from religion, the Middle East shares the same culture because it a small geographical area. I think that Israelpalooza is a great way to introduce individuals who have never visited Israel to the culture, even if other places may share the culture. We are not saying it is unique to Israel. But, it IS Israel.
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