Intersections International

News

Beyond the Inaugural Moment
By Founding Director, Rev. Robert Chase

On January 20, 2009 the US will inaugurate its first African American President. Huge crowds are expected; people all over the world will focus their attention on the mall in the nation’s capital as Barack Obama takes the oath of office. It is difficult for me as a white American to imagine the power that this moment has for so many people of color—especially older folks—who endured indignity upon indignity of both personal and institutional racism in this country and perhaps never thought they would see this day. We clearly have miles to go before there is full equality, but this inauguration begins a sea change that will shift America’s understanding of itself forever.

I have deep and profound hopes that, for the whole world, this day means that the phrase “the art of the possible” will now take on a new and deeper meaning. I hope we will be inspired to dream again, that we will begin rigorously exercising the muscles of our imaginations; that we will reach across boundaries and borders in new ways, ways thought unimaginable only a few months ago. Even the disturbing economic crisis, the true effects of which I believe are still ahead of us, will not be able to deter legions of fresh thinkers from developing new models in science, business, the arts, government, and the way we relate to each other.

But this moment—ripe with expectancy—does not mean there aren’t challenges ahead. Those of us committed to holding our government accountable to the highest of ethical standards still have work to do. For example, when looking through the lens of multi-faith cooperation, there is a real challenge for the Obama administration to give substantive voice to the hopes and expectations of Muslim Americans.

During the campaign, political realities dictated a delicate balance in relating to the five million Muslims in America, but now that Obama has been elected, it is incumbent upon the new President to include Muslim American voices in his administration. Justice demands it. And, it is good strategy. When decisions are being made that impact the whole of society, we need as wide a variety of perspectives as possible to find solutions to our pressing needs. We must not assume that we have arrived at the temple of inclusivity because we have a black president. Those of us concerned about justice, reconciliation and peace must continue to speak truth to power and must seek a wide and inclusive mosaic at all levels of decision making.

Still, when I flash back to standing on a long line outside an old Episcopal Church in the pre-dawn light of November 4, I will never forget the feeling. I watched people coming from every direction—students and factory workers, young people and old, in sweat suits and business suits, people of every color and ethnicity, forged in a singular purpose. There was a quiet confidence that, later that night the streets would erupt into jubilation from Times Square to Grant Park. It was a confidence that we as a society had truly looked beyond race and chosen the best candidate to lead our country.

The tears were close on that magical morning; hope was in the air. Now it’s time to get to work.

On October 23rd, Intersections continued its conversation series on the Cost of War at Home & Abroad with a panel discussion entitled Searching for America’s New Foreign Policy. This event explored the diplomatic opportunities and challenges the United States will face in the coming years as a result of the War on Terror, and looked for viable policy prescriptions for the new administration. The event, moderated by international affairs specialist Dalai Fazio, featured prominent panelists with vast experience in Foreign Service and academia.

A common thread expressed by all panelists was the need to shift the current political ideology and focus on rebuilding America’s global image through diplomacy. According to Ambassador John L. Hirsch, Senior Advisor at the International Peace Institute and former Ambassador of the United States to Sierra Leone, “the U.S. has been immersed for the last five years in the Middle East and living through the consequences that have neither brought peace to the region or additional security to the U.S.”

As a way to move forward, Dr. Roy Licklider, Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University and Adjunct Research Scholar at the Saltzman Institute for War and Peace Studies, suggested that the new administration should reach out to moderate Islamic groups, and send out a critical signal that the U.S. is not opposed to Islam.

The importance of engaging the global community through multi-lateral diplomacy at the United Nations was a point echoed by Dr. Michaela Hertkorn, Director for Transatlantic Relations at the Düsseldorf Institute for Foreign and Security Policy. Dr. Hertkorn, who also teaches at New York University, highlighted the prior American achievements in rebuilding Europe after WWII, and stressed the need for the U.S. to work with international organizations such as the United Nations and European Union.

A point that resonated very well with the audience was the need for the U.S. to “reclaim its position as a champion of human rights,” as stated by Ambassador S. Azmat Hassan, former Ambassador of Pakistan to Malaysia, Syria, and Morocco. Ambassador Hassan, currently a Professor of International Relations at Seton Hall University, also emphasized the need for the next president to repair badly frayed relationships as a way to “restore the American position of prominence and primacy.”

After a question and answer session, the evening’s discussion concluded and a short reception followed. Those in attendance had a unique opportunity to speak with the panelists, who shared further insight on the topic. The panel discussion,which was open to the public, was aimed at exploring the hidden costs the war has had on different sectors of our society.

As Jack Campbell, a New York-based international relations specialist, said, “As you saw here today, people are very concerned about social justice. Events like this help us identify what to hope for, what to push for, how we can get involved—these issues are occupying people’s thoughts more now than maybe ever in my lifetime.”

To view a video of the panel discussion or hear the complete podcast of the discussion, click here.

Intersections and Art for Refugees in Transition (A.R.T.) co-hosted a fundraising event in November for A.R.T.’s new program in Cali, Colombia. This program, which will benefit internally displaced people (IDPs), will focus on the reconstruction of their local history and customs, such as weaving, dances, and folklore. Colombia has suffered an armed conflict as a result of the violent actions of narco-terrorist guerrillas. This conflict has displaced many people, who often flee the countryside for the country’s major cities. Since they become essentially “urban refugees,” many lose the rich customs, folklore, and family and social cohesion that are important pillars in their lives.

IDPs are essentially refugees in their own country, but refugees are only classified as such once they have crossed an international border. “Because IDPs stay in their own country, their plight receives less international media coverage, and are many times denied ‘refugee’ benefits and classified as internal migrants,” according to Intersections’ C. Eduardo Vargas, a Colombian national. A.R.T.’s programs are aimed at helping IDPs and refugees rebuild their individual and community identity, which is essential to helping them cope with the trauma, terror, and dislocation caused by armed conflict.

Intersections’ commitment to raising awareness of often overlooked refugee crises and social justice issues, led it to sponsor and co-host the fundraiser, which featured typical Colombian cuisine, a salsa music dance instructor, and a live band that provided much entertainment that evening. Over $3,500 was raised by the more than 60 people who attended the event.

On November 13th, Intersections hosted its fourth conversation exploring the cost of war, at home and abroad. Iraqi Voices featured three Iraqis who have been recently resettled to the United States. All three had worked with the US government during the early stages of the war, a choice that later marked them as targets, forcing them to leave family and country in order to seek safer ground. Moderated by Anisa Medhi, an award-winning journalist and filmmaker, the conversation provided an in-depth look at the many “costs” of the Iraq War, both personal and political.

To protect the identities of the Iraqis participating in our discussion, only their first names were used. Assad was a translator in Iraq, now living in Ithaca, NY, where he teaches Arabic at Ithaca College. Ameer has a Bachelors in English and is currently living with his family in Dearborn, MI. Ehab, who made it to the US with the help of the List Project to Resettle Iraqi Allies, now works with one of the law firms handling the immigration cases of Iraqi refugees.

All three shared stories of their desire to work with the Americans in 2003, as they believed they were helping to build a new life and brighter future for Iraqis. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned and as the occupation wore on with little of the promised improvements to infrastructure materializing and a continuing escalation of violence, Ehab, Ameer and Assad were in ever growing danger. “The Americans inherited Saddam’s position in the minds of the Iraqi people. So whatever happened in Iraq the Iraqi people blamed the United States for it, but then they couldn’t see the Americans, the Americans were behind the green zones, they could see me Ameer and Assad and we were very obvious…we were the collaborators, we were the ones making the Americans work in Iraq… So we were the ones to be blamed.”

Eventually all three made it safely out of Iraq, but not without significant hardship. Ehab’s journey took him more than a year and took him through India, Syria and Egypt before he made it to Arizona. Assad is still getting used to the snow in Ithaca, but is grateful for the warm reception he has received there. “I think they understand we have suffered a lot, we were very welcomed.”

While the future of Iraq is uncertain, all three Iraqis shared their hopes that their country will be rebuilt and that young people will feel like they have a future there. It is clear that this can not happen without the participation of the Iraqi people and that political realities and timelines for withdrawal are extremely complicated. In the meantime, America is deeply honored by all the Iraqis that risked so much in helping us and Intersections extends them a warm welcome.

If you missed our conversation, audio from the program is available here.

On December 1, Intersections hosted its monthly Lunch and Learn series. This month, it was held on World AIDS Day to remember and honor those who have passed away or are living with HIV/AIDS. We invited Mr. Von’Michael Hanton, a person living with AIDS (PLWA) as the speaker. Mr. Hanton is the Executive Manager for Black Veterans for Social Justice in Brooklyn, New York. He manages housing programs for veterans and programs related to overall health and wellness.

Mr. Hanton started his talk by leading us in a silent moment to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS, and those who continue to live with HIV/AIDS. He then spoke about the life-changing experience of receiving his HIV diagnosis in 1998. Mr. Hanton stated that devoting his life to working against the spread of HIV has been empowering to him as a person living with AIDS. When looking at a disease which is preventable, Mr. Hanton said there is no reason why people should continue to be infected with HIV.

In speaking about how we can work to address the HIV epidemic, Mr. Hanton emphasized the need to mitigate the stigma around HIV, specifically addressing barriers in opening up conversations around sex and sexuality. When the stigma is removed from HIV, preventing the spread of HIV will not be such a daunting task and will also serve to lessen the marginalization of those who are living with HIV/AIDS. Mr. Hanton also stressed that no matter what the focus of the organizations and projects are, the importance of HIV prevention should always be addressed.

On November 5 an historic gathering was convened by the Global Peace Initiative of Women at the Aspen Institute in Aspen, Colorado. And Intersections was there to participate. Staff member Scott Thompson joined over 100 religious, spiritual and civil leaders from all over the United States and around the world who gathered to be in contemplation and dialogue, with the intention to support and deepen our oneness and compassion as a nation.

An important element of the conversations was the balance between contemplation and social action. In a wonderful turn of evolution, science has verified that people experience deep physical, emotional, and mental changes when in a contemplative state. The energy they feel and the information they process have much to offer the complex issues we face today. At the same time, many of the motivations that drive social action, such as anger and burnout, run contrary to the intentions of action efforts. The gathering in Aspen attempted to answer some deeply important questions about contemplation and social action. Have they been separate for too long? What would a more socially active contemplation look like? What would a more contemplative social action be?

The experience and hope of the gathering in Aspen was a synthesis of both the capacity for contemplation and the drive for social change in the human psyche. Both traditions were honored and invited to be in resonance with each other. Each unique religious and spiritual tradition that was represented added to a strengthened unity. With the intended goal of the gathering being to develop a council of elders to lend guidance to the incoming president to further the agenda of peace, we truly were the change we wished to see in the world.

On December 1, Intersections hosted its monthly Lunch and Learn series. This month, it was held on World AIDS Day to remember and honor those who have passed away or are living with HIV/AIDS. We invited Mr. Von'Michael Hanton, a person living with AIDS (PLWA) as the speaker. Mr. Hanton is the Executive Manager for Black Veterans for Social Justice in Brooklyn, New York. He manages housing programs for veterans and programs related to overall health and wellness.

Mr. Hanton started his talk by leading us in a silent moment to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS, and those who continue to live with HIV/AIDS. He then spoke about the life-changing experience of receiving his HIV diagnosis in 1998. Mr. Hanton stated that devoting his life to working against the spread of HIV has been empowering to him as a person living with AIDS. When looking at a disease which is preventable, Mr. Hanton said there is no reason why people should continue to be infected with HIV.

In speaking about how we can work to address the HIV epidemic, Mr. Hanton emphasized the need to mitigate the stigma around HIV, specifically addressing barriers in opening up conversations around sex and sexuality. When the stigma is removed from HIV, preventing the spread of HIV will not be such a daunting task and will also serve to lessen the marginalization of those who are living with HIV/AIDS. Mr. Hanton also stressed that no matter what the focus of the organizations and projects are, the importance of HIV prevention should always be addressed.

On December 11, Intersections, in partnership with the Embassy of Kazakhstan, hosted the first ever inter-faith dialogue and dinner at the Embassy of Kazakhstan. The Embassy approached Intersections because of the work Intersections has previously done in inter-faith dialogue, most notable with the creation of ChangeTheStory.net.

More than twenty-five U.S. religious leaders gathered for a dinner conversation aimed at building support in the U.S. for upcoming international inter-religious convocations in Kazakhstan. This gathering intentionally moved beyond the three Abrahamic faiths, including Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, Hindus, Hare Krishnas, and Zoroastrians to highlight the diversity of religious expressions in the U.S. More than fifteen different religious groups, with over 150 million constituents, were represented.

In 2009, Kazakhstan will hold the third Congresses of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which will take place in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana. Kazakhstan, a Central Asian nation of over 15 million inhabitants, offers a broad cross section of religious and ethnic groups, making it a logical place to host initiatives that cross lines of faith and culture.

The following year, Kazakhstan will assume the chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Kazakhstan will be the first Eurasian government to Chair this organization, and intends to use its chairmanship to promote inter-religious dialogue.

In 2011, Kazakhstan becomes the Chair of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). This provides the opportunity for three consecutive years of inter-faith dialogue on a prominent,- global stage. According to Intersections Project Manager Sara Reef, “This provides a unique opportunity for a long-term dialogue that may have a real and lasting impact on inter-faith relations.” Intersections will continue to work with the Embassy to help promote inter-faith dialogue and peace.

For more information on this, please contact Sara Reef, sreef@intersectionsinternational.org or 1.646.723.7825.

To read more about our news and past events, explore our archive.