Author Archives: Inez Amer

Can Peace Be a Profession?

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When I was first applying to college, it was an internal struggle trying to decide what I would major in and then what I would do with that degree. I started as many do, a communications major; but peace studies was always in the back of my mind. I knew I would either do a double major or a minor; I was certain it was going to be part of my education. After one semester, I knew communication was not for me and I quickly registered for all peace studies classes my second semester. It is safe to say that was the best decision I made. I was quickly immersed in courses that I truly cared about. I found them interesting and felt my knowledge expanding at a rapid pace compared to what I was experiencing the semester prior. I was happier because I knew that this was what I wanted.

Peace Studies Section (PEACE)

I did have the anxiety that most get when becoming a peace studies major; the “what am I supposed to to do with this degree?” fear. But the truth is, in my time of pursuing this degree I have learned that like many undergraduate degrees, you can truly do anything. I was simultaneously working on my political science degree, making me feel only more confident in my future. I have come to learn so many things about our world, but time and time again my interest has circled back to refugees. Both my parents are immigrants, with my mother from Poland and my father from Palestine, and so I have always been immersed in that world and seen the suffering that people endure while trying to escape those unfortunate realities. So to me, it always made sense to strive to help those people

UNHCR: The number of refugees has doubled in a decade. Why? | World Economic Forum.

Naturally I have kept up with current conflicts, ones that produce mass amounts of refugees and the refugee crisis in general. This has led me to stumble upon several agencies and organizations that do such work, both on an international scale and a more local one. I have come to understand in this time that important work does not always have to be done Internationally. I always thought to make big change I had to work for the United Nations or have a high position in government. But the truth that I have come to believe is that there are so many ways to make just as important change. In my opinion, some of the most effective change happens on a smaller scale. The way that I see improving people’s lives in the best way possible is to be able to form connections, and truly provide them with what they need, not what we think they need.

What I have also come to understand is that you can get involved anywhere, even in your backyard. There are opportunities just around the corner to become part of that change you want to see. It is not always the easiest work or position to get, but it is there to try. And it is important to try everything, not just the things you think you are interested in. Because just as important as it is to know what you like, it is equally as important to know what is not for you.

My understandings and goals have shifted over the years, I have continued to learn and gained the skills to be a critical thinker leading me to pursue a career wherever I want. Peace studies has given me a skill set that has taught me how to think and to be adaptable, rather than a specific skill that will excel in one place. My meetings with the career center have validated those points, telling me that I can really apply anywhere and try anything. That is what I wanted from my college degree, I wanted to be able to graduate and do anything, not be tied down.Peace Studies // Center for Peacemaking // Marquette University There are endless possibilities!

I want to feel good about what I am doing. I think that what this career path has, is people who are passionate. Everyone I have met through peace studies has always really cared about their niche subject area and that is very empowering. While I have learned a lot, I know there is always room for growth. That anxiety still remains, wondering where I will end up, but I no longer fear it won’t be anywhere; I know that there is something out there for me. Wherever I end up, I will always be a peace studies major, instilling what I learned into everything I do. So yes, peace can be a profession, without a doubt; peace can be any profession. At the end of the day, everyone should strive to promote peace.

Interview With An Activist

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The individual that I chose to interview was my cousin Anais Amer. She has always been one of those people I looked up to from a young age. She always did as she pleased, moved where she wanted, and never failed to speak her mind. Anais taught me what it means to be an activist. She is one of the most outspoken individuals I know, always speaking for and demanding justice. Anais has worked hard to connect with her Palestinian heritage and share her experiences with the world. She attended high school in Jordan, college in the United States, and soon after returned to teach at the very high school she attended.

I have witnessed Anais’s activism through the years. When she was just first learning to find her voice, when it was its loudest, and where it is today. Today, is where our interview mainly focussed. I wanted to see what it was like to be a high school teacher and where her activism fit into her life now. I was curious to see how she continued to practice and preach what she cared about most, the liberation of Palestine, while balancing her job. I wondered if this was possible? Could these two sides of her co-exist? Would she have to give one or the other up?

We checked in on one another. As Palestinians, these past few months have been hard to live with. Continuing our every day lives while a genocide unfolds is not an easy task. Especially when not enough of the world is listening. “There have been moments of fear, sadness, and also strength and resilience” Anais says as she described the emotional roller coaster she has been one; one that many can relate to. Anais has come to learn over the years that you do not have to be not he front lines to be doing good work. All activism is important. Even as a teacher, teaching history and English, Anais has not pushed an agenda on students but she has rather taught them the truth. And more importantly, she has given them the tools to find the truth themselves. Anais acknowledged that she feels her role as an outward activist has lessened over the years and she really tries to make an impact through her teaching; she is an activist through her teaching. The beautiful thing is that her ways of teaching and truth telling are encouraged by her administration. She is not silenced by anyone. Most of her students are Arab, Palestinian, Jordanian, etc. This is all their history and their roots. Anais works hard to make sure her students know they have a voice that deserves and needs to be heard. Below is a poster that Anais has hung in her classroom. 

We lastly discussed her more personal feelings towards her own activism and not so much in the classroom. Sadly, Anais has had to censor herself over the years as she has faced backlash for much of what she has shared on social media. Her accounts are not private and her activism account BintFalisteen is only shared with her inner circle. She also shared with me that while she often tries to organize rallies in Jordan, it is difficult with her not being a Jordanian citizen. That however has not stopped her from conversation with those different from her and even changing the minds of “devout zionists”.

I walked away from this interview learning many things about my cousin and myself. But what most stuck with me was that activism can take shape in any form. It does not just mean protesting and marching with signs. And nice importantly what also stated out to me from this interview is that we must teach the generations below us to demand action. Every generation below will be the ones to carry on the movements that we care so deeply for now. What Anais does, by teaching her student to find the truth and demand justice, is what this world needs. She is raising the next generation of activists. Many times we see people care about a movement for a moment of time and once it leaves the news, everyone forgets. Anais’s approach is one that makes a struggling peoples problem, our problem. I think those are two of the most important things when it comes to peace, justice, and protest.

Anais continues to do the important work, and that is of teaching and guiding the generation below her to create a more well rounded and educated group of individuals and encourage them to make the change they want to see in the world. Anais has grown so much as an individual and hopes to continue to do so. She is a proud Palestinian, as am I, and even more proud to call her my cousin.

Reflection on Shared Humanity Event

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The talk on Monday night was both what I expected, and not. Having two, such different individuals on stage together discussing a topic as divided as this one was very fascinating to watch. A lot of why this conflict can not be resolved it because of the lack of trust between the two sides and the inability to form a relationship across sides; but Omar and Mira proved that it is possible. It is important to acknowledge though that these two individuals are not as immersed in the conflict as those living on the ground and so bridging the gap between the oppressed and the oppressor is not as easy.

One thing I do wish more from the talk was that it went more in depth into the conflict and got a little more real than it was. Some of the conversation felt a little bit on the surface and would touch on the topics that make individuals “uncomfortable”. But I think that is very important. The only way that we can start to move towards a path forward is to have those “uncomfortable” conversations and discuss the injustices or the misconceptions, whatever it may be, so that they can be corrected. This is the most important part of the discussion that people are so scared and hesitant to get into. But why? Why is this such an untouchable subject that most do not want to touch with a ten foot pole? We can not neglect a group of suffering people because of a stereotyped narrative our world has come to believe. Palestinians deserve us to at least have these conversations, to raise awareness, and make necessary changes. I will say that this moment is one that I am seeing the most attention and interest in this conflict than any time before in my life time; it is just sad to have a genocide be the reason why.

I found myself in a conversation with Omar, Professor Rangel, and two women who attended the talk and from what I was able to catch, discussed the usage of the word genocide and how it would’ve outraged some of their other friends if they were at the talk, to the point where they would have left. And in my mind I thought, this is the problem. We are not willing to listen to one another; and we walk away the moment someone says something that we don’t like. This can not be the case in this conflict. The sides are so polarized that if this is the case, then people are going to continue dying because of people’s sensitive, ill feelings.

Overall I think the talk was interesting, a good starting point. With the complexity of the issues I think it is important for individuals who may not be well versed on it to know that there is much more to unpack. Omar and Mira brought really interesting perspectives; and showed that a relationship and a conversation between people on opposite sides is possible, and necessary.