In reading 'The Blog of Jerusalem Open House' article on openness, I couldn't help but wonder about the attributes mentioned there as important to resolving differences. The author mentioned understanding, conversation, and acceptance of one another as prerequisites for creating better lives for the people of their community. But what jumped off the page for me was how much we all need to consider understanding, conversation, and acceptance of one another. Whatever we are promoting - our religion, our personal identity, our community, our political stance, or our part in conflict of any nature - how much further could we move toward common ground with these attributes? How do we get there? How do we find the open-mindedness to begin this journey? Is it there waiting to be cultivated? Waiting to be enlightened? Waiting for open-mindedness to allow understanding, conversation, and acceptance of one another?.....
The 'City of Borders' further opens the mind to the need for acceptance. While understanding is not necessary perhaps, acceptance of one another is. Understanding would make life easier many times, but I think it is not to be expected; It is so core to an individual's identity. Rather, acceptance that is challenged daily throughout conflict - nationality, religion, political orientation, individual orientation - is basic to achieving conflict resolution and a peaceful community. Acceptance is not an easy attribute to achieve, but vital. Is it a left-over "I'm OK, you're OK?" ... I don't know..... Does it mean agreeing with the point in question? I don't think so.....But I do think that acceptance is a prerequisite for conflict resolution with respect as a foundation block, and that neither seem to have happened.
It is interesting how the sometimes subtle...sometimes unspoken witness...the wall, the music, the people and their choices... cry for freedom, for understanding, for acceptance...I had not considered that gender differences also could or need cry as well.
With the many conflicts within conflicts within THE conflict, where ever to start....where is the beginning of the raveled thread of resolution that needs acceptance?.....It is no simple task and there is no simple answer.....
Barb,
ReplyDeleteI can't express enough my support for acceptance. I feel that people are so judgmental, especially on issues that do not pertain to them. Whether in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Bloomington or Chicago, people can learn from others' experiences. I enjoyed the past week and feel it was a new angle to our discussion this semester.
Ethan
I also agree that acceptance is a big part of society and has a big impact on many people's lives. There is no harm in accepting people due to their thoughts and opinions. It is a very interesting thing that many people cannot handle and after talking with the speaker it really makes you put yourself in one's shoes.
ReplyDeleteYa know Barb, I'm glad you bring up the point about acceptance, because all too often we settle for tolerance. Maybe it is just a semantics difference, but the philosophy of acceptance is of receiving a situation with open arms, versus tolerance, which is gritting and gnashing one's teeth through a situation. Regardless, acceptance requires a self-reflexively realistic approach to all circumstances. This obviously impossible, since we are subjective beings. But aren't we necessarily objectively subjective?
ReplyDelete