I sat behind the counter with the shop owner, talking about politics, religions and cultures, sipping the drink of choice in Jordan: Nescafe. I walk by his shop everyday going to class, saying "marhaba!" as I pass. With classes off for Eid Al-Adha, I was able to finally have our promised conversation over coffee. It was the second conversation of the day about Israel, Palestine, and American politics in the region. Jordanians certainly have their opinions. And if they're Palestinian, they hold tightly to their wounds and cling to their memories. "We have been here for fifty years, and everyday I have heard my father talk about his home in Palestine. Everyday." Many say they just don't understand why the land can't be shared, why Israel wants it all, why Hamas keeps killing. "There are no differences between the Arabs and the Americans - except that America decided to support Israel. That is the only reason for trouble. Arabs do not understand why America takes the side of Israel."
I have to choose my responses carefully, mostly I resort to nodding my head, listening and saying, "it is sad," from time to time. It's not my goal to argue - I want to listen. At some point in almost every conversation like this, I am asked, "Why are you studying here? Why politics? It is so complicated and politicians are liars everywhere." I tell them I am here because I don't understand, but want to. There is too much ignorance and I wanted to learn the stories here and not just be taught the American perspective.
There is a lot of ignorance in the States. I came here so that I would not have to be influenced solely by the perspectives of my American professors, peers and family. As much as I respect those opinions, there is another side to the story that I don't hear. In Jordan, I have found another ignorance. They tell me that they know what it is like in America. I am told that we are all blinded by the Jewish influence on the media. That we only see it one way and will never take the side of the Arabs. I am told what we Americans think and why we think it. (I am talking only about politics here, but their ideas about our culture and lifestyles are as great and broad as our perception of the Arab culture and lifestyle.) They then tell me what the Israeli government thinks and why they continue their settlements. The Jordanians inform me of the Palestinians desire to take over in Jordan and the Palestinians tell me of the Jordanian persecution of Palestinians. There is a lot of animosity between Jordanians and Palestinians, between Arabs and the American government (I have been told countless times that they love the American people, they just don't agree with the government), and obviously the animosity between Arabs and Israelis. And ignorance feeds this animosity on the local level.
So, I continue to have these conversations. Sometimes their perceptions about America or their neighbors make me frustrated and upset. But their opinions are tied to their emotions and what they feel in this conflict. Whether it is sparked from their family having to become refugees in their homeland, or having to see their country absorb these refugees and host the tensions that arise from this land sharing - in the end, it is an issue that is part of their life everyday. And it is their life that is important, sah?
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