Conflict Collage

Conflict Collage
Originally uploaded by raise my voice

Conflict Collage
I made this collage when I was 14 to illustrate an essay I was writing, which used the conflicts in Northern Ireland and Israel/Palestine as case studies. The theme of the essay? "Walls." I am serious. Must have stuck with me. The separation wall in Israel had not even been built yet.

For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, I wrote a song called "Walls." I wrote this song in February of 2008 during one of Israel's previous sieges on Gaza. It is about being Jewish and starting to critically examine what is going on in Israel and Palestine. I had a choice to make, and I chose the side of peace. But not without a cost.

The song is the backdrop for a slideshow from various peace demonstrations that I have taken, as well as images of the Qalqilya Wall in Israel.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DlCd8BIFlo

Walls

Been going through my mind, lately a lot
Have many questions about what I’ve been taught
Nothing’s as clear as it used to seem
As I stand idly by while humanity screams

I can’t sit on the fence anymore
When I have to choose between peace and war
And object to oppression where it arises
No matter what else it is disguised as

Something has to be done
Don’t know where to begin
Walls are meant to frame houses
Not trap people in

I’ve been told I should be ashamed,
I answer, “don’t do this in my name.”
I will acknowledge we’re of the same tribe
But in this case, I must step aside

I can’t sit on the fence anymore
When I have to choose between peace and war
And object to oppression where it arises
No matter what else it is disguised as

Something has to be done
Don’t know where to begin
Walls are meant to frame houses
Not trap people in

I cry for the children, the women, the men
Who face the same hardships again and again
Generations spent under a regime
Where freedom exists only in a dream

I can’t sit on the fence anymore
When I have to choose between peace and war
And object to oppression where it arises
No matter what else it is disguised as

Something has to be done
Don’t know where to begin
Walls are meant to frame houses
Not trap people in

We share the same blood
So I can’t understand
Why we have to keep killing
Over a piece of land
(We’re the sons and the daughters of Abraham)

I can’t sit on the fence anymore
When I have to choose between peace and war
And object to oppression where it arises
No matter what else it is disguised as

Something has to be done
Don’t know where to begin
Walls are meant to frame houses
Not trap people in

Not trap people in
Not trap people in
And it’s time to begin

© 2008 Paula E. Kirman