Here’s a video depicting a struggle very similar to that in Israel. The conflict is between Indian and Pakistani people. It very similar to the situation Carole Zabar described today, where two groups of people have developed aggression towards each other. Moreover, the separation between these two group caused an even greater increase in tension. The goal of the project in the video was to show how similar these groups are and that there is nothing to fear when trusting their neighbor. Overall, this was just a creative way to connect people and tear down ethnic barriers of the past.
The Arts in New York City
Professor Judell / MHC @ CCNY / Fall 2013
I love the idea of bringing people together this way. It is truly sad when you have a divide in a group of people who are the same in pretty much all aspects. However, as nice as the thought behind this way of “togetherness” is, I dislike how extremely commercialized even the concept of brining people together is; let’s thank coca cola for the sponsorship, but is this really what it takes for people to put aside their differences and communicate with people just like them – a free coke and a machine that won’t even allow you to meet people on the other side in person? Still, it is a step closer to closing the divide so this action should be commended.
Why can’t we all get along?! We are the same after all.
No matter how many handshakes and compromises are exchanged between leaders, the inside psychology of different ethnic groups towards each other will hardly ever change. No matter how many commercials and indirect campaigns are made to unify people, opinions will remain at a stagnant standpoint. Some humans do not understand that folks of different ethnic groups or religions are also humans who deserve the same rights and freedoms as everyone else. There are many historical moments when the majority of a certain population or ethnic group is silent while the corrupt minority is loud. This is when other ethnic groups classify that group with very derogatory characteristics that do not justly include the gems present in that group. While it might be cumbersome to change people’s opinions of others and break any existing psychological barriers, it is never too late to prove the opposite. No matter how long it takes, good always prevails (even after a very long time).
Does good always prevail? Look at the world’s past history and then open The New York Times today? How much progress are we making? Additionally, while the Coca Cola ad is indeed moving, I wonder how much of it was staged? Also, was the footage broadcast on TV in India and Pakistan? And if so, with what reception was it met?
Well, I have to agree that bullies usually get their way by their overwhelming voice and/or body size. However, there has to be a time when they fall into an unimaginably trifle mistake that downgrades them from their power. No matter how strong a group may think they are, a stronger group or at least one of equal power will arise to stagnate their “power.” I am sure the saying “what goes around, comes around” is very well-known. Figuratively speaking: If you plant a good seed, then a healthy plant will eventually grow. If you plant weeds, then you should not expect much good to come on the long run. Although this reasoning makes more sense in an individual scale, a more complicated scale also qualifies to follow this reasoning. Perhaps, it just takes a longer time in certain situations than others.
There has always been a divide and hatred among Indians and Pakistanis for years, although, they were considered brothers once and they share borders. This commercial connects to the situation among Palestinians and Jews which was described by Carole Zabar through the Israeli short films. Like the little Israeli boy who plays ball with a Palestinian on the other side of the wall in one of the films, the concept of “joining hands” relates to this situation. The beginning of the commercial also indicates that people in Pakistan are same as in India; they both have common lives and are the same types of people as the Jews and Palestinians shown in the films. While the person can not communicate with the other on the end in this project of Coca Cola Co., there is this connection between the two which signifies the cliche saying that “actions speak louder than words.” While this commercial does illustrate a deep message of togetherness rather than divide and bitterness, this hatred between the two groups would be difficult to eliminate. The sad part is that this commercial was most likely acted and staged for business purposes and these small initiatives might not really be taking effect.