A world not quite fatal

“Have we fallen into a mesmerized state that makes us accept as inevitable that which is inferior or detrimental, as though having lost the will or the vision to demand that which is good?”

On Tuesday I sat in the shop owned by Raghida, one of the Nazareth mamas who has taken me in, who regularly fills my social life with introductions to her children and acquaintances, and fills my plate with delicious food. I was gluing rhinestones onto the front of a dress Raghida was preparing for a customer, as Raghida finished sewing a shawl to match. Rhinestones are an essential part of fashion here, and Raghida discovered that I have a small weakness for shiny things as well.

As we worked, Raghida wheezed a huge sigh and looked at me, through eyes heavy with black eyeliner and lack of sleep. She nodded to the TV above her desk, and explained her worry over the news of the last couple of days. In the nearby Arab city of Umm Al Fahm, right-wing Israelis had been marching and “demanding loyalty to Israel,” resulting in counter-protests and violent clashes. I hadn’t heard about it. So I shared with her the news I had been following, about the celebration for Arab culture that had been banned this past weekend in Jerusalem, resulting in clashes, protests and arrests.

“I don’t want to live with this violence all the time,” Raghida said after a pause. I didn’t know how to respond. This is a successful and wealthy entrepreneur, with a strong role in the lives of her doting children, who travels all over the world for business. And yet, she feels powerless in this situation. Can you blame her for feeling frustrated? But life has to go on, what else can you do?

As I read the news every day, I find a few signs of hope, reconciliation, or moves toward a better future for Israel. But most things indicate exactly the opposite: steps if not leaps and sprints in the wrong direction. There are not words to express the increasing desperation and heartbreak.

But people just want a normal life as far as possible. Humans are remarkably adaptable—what is one more breach of human rights? What is one more violent clash in a city nearby? What is one more report of continuing violence in Gaza? The frustration is internalized and life goes on.

If it’s this easy to get used to close up, it’s no wonder we have trouble feeling moved by the stories far away, let alone standing up against it, and finding ways of standing with the people here.

“Have we fallen into a mesmerized state that makes us accept as inevitable that which is inferior or detrimental, as though having lost the will or the vision to demand that which is good? Such thinking, in the words of the ecologist Paul Shepard, ‘idealizes life with only its head out of water, inches above the limits of toleration of the corruption of its own environment… Why should we tolerate a diet of weak poisons, a home in insipid surroundings, a circle of acquaintances who are not quite our enemies, the noise of motors with just enough relief to prevent insanity? Who would want to live in a world which is just not quite fatal?’ ” Rachel Carson, Silent Spring