Editor’s Note: The following article was written in response to a commentary by Bruce Kesler criticizing the WorldBeat Center for showing the film, Tears of Gaza.
By Makeda Cheatom
SAN DIEGO — Part of our mission statement at the WorldBeat Center is to promote peace through consciousness raising. In our long history we have presented a great variety of cultural viewpoints and we welcome dialogue and communication. We have presented events on the conflicts between Blacks and Mexicans, between Somalian Africans and African Americans, between Native Americans and Mexicans. Fallbrook High School invited WorldBeat Center to present Conflict resolution using Music Dance and Culture for 5 years. We do not discriminate or take sides. We believe Peace is about balance and harmony so there is no conflict. We have presented both Arab and Israeli Music artists including the International Hasidic Reggae Star – Matisyahu – who preformed at the WorldBeat Center Fundraiser “Bob Marley Day” He was interviewed and defended by Director Makeda Dread in 2006 when he was under attack by the Reggae community for being a practicing Orthodox Jew.
At WorldBeat Center we are not anti- Israel. The Israeli flag is hanging along with flags with of the Nations of the World. We are Anti-hatred, Anti-Violence, and Anti-Intolerance. We want to see everyone come together for the sake of the the Children. In any conflict, no matter who is right or wrong, it is the Children, Elderly, weak and sick who suffer terribly. We are aware there has been suffering on both sides and that is a painful and emotional issue. We know the oppression the Jewish People have endured, we know their contribution to the United States and the World, and we admire greatly their example of strength and determination in the face of unthinkable adversity.
We met with Audrey Jacobs – Director of San Diego Chapter of “ Stand With Us” and J.J. Surbeck of TEAM. We had a healthy and enlightening conversation which provided greater clarity and as a result we are looking forward to presenting an event to show the Israeli side of the conflict. We also are planning to present an exhibit of the Ethiopian Jews and the African American Black Hebrew Community living for the past 20 years in the Negev Desert in Israel. We feel it is important for Americans to become educated about the history of Jews in Africa. We are also planning in October to present Israeli and Palestinian Music Artists performing together in a Peace Concert.
As an African American, I understand suffering and hatred and have chosen to transform myself through spiritual work so as not to hate my so called- enemy that has brutalized African people for centuries. We have to turn that pain into compassion and close the door to hatred. One day, it is our intention for peace to prevail on Earth.
We recently planted a Peace Pole in our Children’s Garden reaffirming our commitment to World Peace. Peace Poles have the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in 8 languages. The Message was authored by the Japanese writer, poet and philosopher Masahisa Goi. The Planting of the Peace Poles was started in Japan as a grass roots project and has grown to an international movement. There are over 200,000 Peace Poles that have been dedicated to every country in the world. Now the WorldBeat Center has a Peace Pole. Planting a Peace Pole is a way to bring people together to inspire, awaken and uplift the Human Consciousness the World over. When you plant a peace pole, you are imprinting a positive thought form in the hearts, minds and existence of all creation. May Peace Prevail on Earth is an all inclusive message and prayer, it is a meeting place of the heart bringing together people of all faith, backgrounds and cultures to embrace the oneness of our Planetary family.
This experience has been important to reaffirm our commitment to Peace, Education and Diversity. We look forward to meeting you and your family and your children. It is the children who will change the world, and it is the children who will end the suffering and divisions between us.
At the WorldBeat Center we are students of Jewish teacher Marshall Rosenburg and his philosophy of Non-Violent communication.
Nonviolent Communication is based on the principles of nonviolence– the natural state of compassion when no violence is present in the heart. Nonviolent Communication begins by assuming that we are all compassionate by nature and that violent strategies—whether verbal or physical—are learned behaviors taught and supported by the prevailing culture. Nonviolent Communication also assumes that we all share the same, basic human needs, and that each of our actions are a strategy to meet one or more of these needs. People who practice Nonviolent Communication have found greater authenticity in their communication, increased understanding, deepening connection and conflict resolution.
Shalom- May Peace Prevail on Earth
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Makeda Cheatom is executive director of the WorldBeat Cultural Center
Ms. Cheatom similarly wrote this in an email to me. I replied:
“Thank you for writing Ms. Cheatom. I very much appreciate it.
All that you wrote I agree with and have and do applaud.
However, this program was contrary to all of that, a message of hate, brought by haters, and not only one-sided but also manufactured to exaggerate and inflame.
With your open heart, I’m sad to say, you’ve been taken by hate hucksters peddling this program.”
I’d add to that: Presenting this scurrilous exhibit indicates either a failure to vet what was presented, a failure of responsibility, or the above apologia indicates a well-sounding coverup.