Occupation 101

This post covers the documentary about the occupation of Palestine. The documentary is very extensive, it covers the roots of the problem (clip bellow), why this is a military and a settler occupation, the role of the USA (US gives 1/3 of their anual aid to Israel), the apartheid regime (roads for jews only, the check points), the impact on Palestinians (lack of freedom of movement, expropriation of their land, trauma on children), the Peace Negotiations, the suicide attacks and their context, and the Intifadas.

This conflict has lasted for more than 60 years.  The documentary is divided in 11 youtube clips, they are all in this post!

A thought-provoking and powerful documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unlike any other film ever produced on the conflict — ‘Occupation 101’ presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the never ending controversy and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions.

The film also details life under Israeli military rule, the role of the United States in the conflict, and the major obstacles that stand in the way of a lasting and viable peace. The roots of the conflict are explained through first-hand on-the-ground experiences from leading Middle East scholars, peace activists, journalists, religious leaders and humanitarian workers whose voices have too often been suppressed in American media outlets.

The film covers a wide range of topics — which include — the first wave of Jewish immigration from Europe in the 1880’s, the 1920 tensions, the 1948 war, the 1967 war, the first Intifada of 1987, the Oslo Peace Process, Settlement expansion, the role of the United States Government, the second Intifada of 2000, the separation barrier and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as well as many heart wrenching testimonials from victims of this tragedy.

Part 1/10:

Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias (also called confirmatory bias or myside bias) is a tendency for people to favor information that confirms their preconceptions or hypotheses regardless of whether the information is true. As a result, people gather evidence and recall information from memory selectively, and interpret it in a biased way. The biases appear in particular for emotionally significant issues and for established beliefs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias

More about confirmation Bias in the following paper: http://psy2.ucsd.edu/~mckenzie/nickersonConfirmationBias.pdf.

Chan Chan

Dealing with an occupation

Jimmy Carter on the Israel Apartheid

Documentary: Fado

I just saw Carlos Saura’s concert-film/documentary about the portuguese indigenous music genre, Fado. The documentary presents Fado from its roots to today.

(If this is the first time you hear about Fado, it will help that you scroll down to listen and watch some of  my favourite Fados. Please note that Fado is usually sung by one person that is accompained by a portuguese guitar and a classical guitar. Also, one word about the themes of the songs:

Inspiration for Fado can come from almost any source. Although there are predominance of themes like: destiny, deep-seated feelings, disappointments in love, the sense of sadness and longing for someone who has gone away, misfortune, the ups and downs of life, the sea, the life of sailors and fishermen, and last but not least “Saudade” (one of the main themes used in fado, that means a kind of longing).

http://fado.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=27&lang=en )

I had difficulty  in identifying the different styles that make up Fado and how they influenced today’s Fado. Carlos Saura goes beyond showing the roots just before Fado was born, he shows their evolution until and after Fado came to life. Sometimes the new version of the root is so different from the predecessor (for example, it starts to include voice and new instruments) that the untrained eye and ear can think there are more than a dozen styles that influence Fado.

This post will cover additional information about Fado’s origins and share some videos of my favourite fado songs and artists.

Short Video to raise awareness of the challenges deaf people can face everyday

Speaking about education: Documentary 2 million minutes

There was no distinction between Maths, Science, English, literature or whatever else, you were supposed to do well enough in everything. If you failed in one, you failed the whole year. (…) The expectation was that you would do well in all subjects!

Speaking about childhood in India;  Minute 3.15 onwards on the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eZi-eXDw54&feature=related

Hello South Africa: Nomfusi & The lucky charms

Fado “Foi Deus” by Amália Rodrigues

All the great songs out there should be listened at least once in one’s life!

Lyrics:

Não sei, não sabe ninguém
Por que canto o fado
Neste tom magoado
De dor e de pranto
E neste tormento
Todo o sofrimento
Eu sinto que a alma
Cá dentro se acalma
Nos versos que canto