Some of the great things that I have from my memories, from growing up, is learning things, different disciplines, that went hand in hand with the fantastic liberal arts education that I received as a citizen of the United States and a product of the 70s and 80s public school system. What a fantastic time!
Every day seemed to be filled with discovery, capturing frogs, riding my bike, learning to play baseball, listening to my mother’s records like the Beatles and Elvis. This propelled me to learn guitar and take voice lessons.
In my studies, I came across Pavarotti, Freddie Mercury, and Paul Rodgers. Then I found Luther Vandross – what a voice, what great songs and he sang them with feeling and intensity. I bought a ‘best of’ CD and I believe the first song was, “A House Is Not a Home”. The song was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Vandross was just covering it. But he nailed it, what a song! It’s so beautiful!
That song came to my mind when I was thinking of the plight of the Kurds and the Palestinians. As of late, they both have houses but not homes. Home has a sense of stability, an eternal like vibe, an air that says that this is yours and nobody else’s. A home is a place of permanence, a place where you can envision a future and become nourished! Blessed in and bless others in.
We have these two people groups in this world, that keep coming across our collective radar, with a lack of what most people, you and I enjoy: a home! How long will we turn a blind eye to this truth? How long will we turn a deaf ear, to this fact? That is really what we all want: a home!
How can we deny a combined population of 40 million people to not have homelands of their own? It’s time for the countries of the world, with help from the United Nations, to carve out a country for each of these people groups with well defined and respected boundaries.
For both the Palestinians and Kurds, violence continues to happen in their houses. There are wars being fought because of old grievances, and they are both wars that will continue to be fought unless we get together to solve the problems. Both conflicts fuel hatred and bigotry and allow other nations to take advantage and abuse these great peoples.
It is time to get beyond the obstacles, the rhetoric, the distractions, and the ploys of each conflict and finally come to a conclusion. This is a message of mercy, love and justice! Everyone deserves a house, everybody needs a home!
Carolyn JONES says
Excellent article. Well thought & clearly stated. I thoroughly agree with the views & opinions stated.
Jack Jones says
I appreciate that you liked it . Thanks again for reading, the feedback, is what enables me to write!
David Anderson says
Nice piece but I see two problems attendant to the legitimate grievances and needs of both displaced people –
1. Its a pretty good idea that in the post war period “borders” have been fairly fixed, imperfect and antiquated as they are. There’s an argument to suggest that changing borders can screw things up big time. Well think of it – a Kurdish state, by necessity, would have to dismember Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Iran. How many millions would die, how many militias flourish to torment everybody, how many unethical geo-political powers would light the powder key (hideous Putin, criminal narcissis, the hopelessly incurious Trump, authoritarian Erdogan, and whoever is holding the gun in Syria and Iraq, and…. of course…. the Ayatollahs. All would have a “say”). Perhaps its a region that shouldn’t be massively realigned, the liberty of the Kurds notwithstanding.
Of course, reasonable people can differ on this.
2. With the Palestinians and their often unjust treatment: Its hard to make peace with, say, a Hamas whose public and shouted objective is to drive the Jews into the sea, and Fatah. All voted for by the locals who are infected with one of the 3 worst diseases on earth, one of the toxic monotheisms which is a death cult that idolizes martyrdom. It puts Israelis, however unreasonable and ill-lead by that Bibi-fool, in a difficult position. I’m no right winger, but I think we should look at the realities of change as we have sympathy of those caught in the current moment and attendant injustices.
Good article on your part, though. all the best, David Anderson, NYC
Jack Jones says
Thank you for reading, I agree with all of you’re points. Some times I think like a gen x hippie and I just go with what I feel, they’re are awful realities to all dreams but I know you are a good man who cares as well !
Jack Jones says
Sorry for misspelling there are .
Jack Jones says
Sorry for misspelling there are .