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TITLE: Human Steadfastness in 2001 - "A Man's Home is his Castle" |
AUTHOR: Leila Diab |
PUB: |
DATE: January 9, 2000 |
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"The greatest commodity the United States of American has to export is freedom." President-elect George W. Bush Throughout history, the preservation of land to its rightful owners has been associated with wars, conflicts over territorial rights and the incredible steadfastness of indigenous people to defend their rights and freedom. Young children, men and even women, have become heroes in their native land trying to defend their homes and castles. That is how the old adage, "A Man's Home is his castle," was derived. And in the new millennium, world freedom and ownership of land are still synonymous, unfortunately, with the griping effect of weapons of mass destruction, disintegration of families, and economic strangulation. In the 2001, the winds of change beckon a universal call for temperance and sobriety in foreign lands, such as Palestine. United Nations Resolutions, especially 242, 194 and 338, dealing with land for peace, territorial borders and the right of return of Palestinians to their home are all on record. However, these, as well as other UN adopted resolutions on the question of Palestine, have never been fully implemented. Then, the question arises, why are young Palestinians throwing stones again in a "new intifada (uprising)? Factually, without distortions, to defend their homes and land from an Israeli government occupying force that continues, after more than 50 years, to confiscate their land, disrupt their education, demolish Palestinian homes, uproot their trees, seal off their towns and villages and use rubber bullets to maim and disable their human soul and spirit? Is this what we Americans would allow to happen to us? America is a living democracy where all people are guaranteed the enjoyment of all rights as citizens in a nation where they were born and live. Americans fought many battles to ensure, "that the pursuit of life, liberty, property and happiness," be maintained and protected. Therefore, it is highly inconceivable that the average American's intolerance of injustice and the American government's influential role as a protector of human freedoms in global affairs, cannot put an end to the decades old Palestinian/Israeli conflict. The Palestinians continue to be steadfast (samed)...while holding on to their faith as Muslims and Christians, in their determination to savor the fruits of freedom, the fruits of life, just like the American dream of freedom which was won with the blood stained soil of its land and the wanton destruction of its property. Freedom in the 20th century, was also won and guaranteed to African Americans in their steadfast struggle and resistance to racism and discrimination. People's worldwide struggles for freedom, civil and human rights endured while they fought the battle with human sacrifices so that justice could and would prevail. Dr. Martin Luther King, (America) Mohatma Ghandi (India), Steve Bilko (South Africa), and Miguel Hildalgo (Mexico) are revered today because of their legendary perseverance, strong will and pursuit of peace with justice and freedom, in the face of adversity. The year 2001, another millennium, should usher in a new transitional beginning with a global human challenge for all people of good faith to preserve, support and protect the lives of people, god's children, the los ninos and the shabab, who struggle for human rights, freedoms, and the free enjoyment of "a home that is his/her castle...the tree of life." And yes, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of free at last, is also the same dream of Palestinian children, women and men. Leila Diab, Palestinian American Educator/writer END |