IS IT TIME WE STOPPED INSISTING ON DUAL NARRATIVES?

The common story strategy for Israel- Palestine’s struggle for peace and justice is to invite the sharing of the dual narratives. What one side calls “nakba” catastrophe, the other side calls Independence Day, and so on. Let these two voices speak- we are assured,  from their shared yet divided reality, to allow compassion to grow. Now that sounds so logical, but what if its dangerously naive, and largely a myth told by outsiders who, as facilitators, don’t have to relive any of the trauma?

What if the dual narratives are incompatible and part of the problem, not the solution? In a bitter divorce, there are dual narratives- does anyone say, let the two sides listen to one another and it will forge common ground? No way! Each side’s story is armed and dangerous, told to discredit and blame the other. Their stories of hate and betrayal only fuel the battle. Why would Israel and Palestine be any different?

NSL believes that the past can only divide us and only the future can unite us, if both sides own their shared responsibility NOW, for choosing to shape it differently. No matter our tortured history, what do we choose now? Otherwise, we let the present remain hostage to the past and the future no longer exists save as a pitiful replay of the past. That is the choice Abbas and Netanyahu are making now. Not peace or occupation but the past versus the future. The stakes could not be higher.

Stories are as dangerous as weapons-sometimes more so- they are never neutral. To invite the retelling of those stories of our greatest pain is to risk remaining united in hate. To share stories of “What if”, to work together on a program to create an alternative reality, to dream together about ways to heal and to innovate, opens the chance for being united in hope.

Fragile, yes, fleeting, yes, uncertain as to its lasting impact, for sure, but never underestimate what gives birth to hope, that slither of light that comes through that crack in the wall, one that suggests that things can be different, that another world can exist if we continue choosing to create it, as we are doing now on NSL.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NSL ON TURNING FIVE
Today, on the eve of selecting our next class,  we celebrate our fifth birthday. Team 2014 will notch up our 50th graduate. It may not seem a huge cohort, but class by class, year by year, the network of inspired and innovative change makers grows, until one day, that proverbial tipping point is reached, and the towers of the old world will come toppling down, to make way for a new world rising from the ashes. Happy Birthday NSL, and a candle each for all our amazing students and our supporters and families who have stuck by us.

REMEMBERING ONE OF OUR FOUNDERS
And a special remembrance to Diane Halley, that inspired force of nature, alum of the Irish peace program we ran in 2001, tireless worker for human rights in Jerusalem and Ramallah, co-founder of NSL in 2009, and lost to us March 30th 2013, way too soon. We feel your presence Dee and promise to keep your legacy strong.

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