12 Comments
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Carter James's avatar

I want to extend my gratitude to you for your insightful and thought-provoking piece on what is happening.

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Francesca Fartaj's avatar

Thank you. So kind.

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Yousra's avatar

This for me is everything: “Answers and transformation lie in love and faith, not hate nor fear. They lie in our commitment to wanting to listen with an open heart and a curious mind and a desire to mutually understand, make repairs and find forgiveness”.

We’re further from peace than we’ve ever been and the world seems to be spinning in all direction. For all the innovations, discoveries, and great ideas, “we” constantly fail to recognize that we are all humans and that if we see past all the “labels” that differentiate us, “we” can see that the only that matters is seeing and holding space for “humanity”. 🤍🤍

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Francesca Fartaj's avatar

I feel you Yousra. Your heart, your intensity, your truth and passion. I believe as you do. And I hope that one day, soon, people who have been touched by great people like yourself will really understand this so we can move forward. Until then, I try to do my best to remember to also be kind, be just, make repairs, that we are all connected, we are all one. Sending you love and light. To one of the greatest lights I know.

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Bita manochehri kalantari's avatar

The writing was beautiful like always, but sad and true. Unfortunately, the people of Iran and Israel have been oppressed and violated by Islamic rulers and terrorists for many years now. If you are human, your heart will hurt from all these injustices. 😞🥹

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Francesca Fartaj's avatar

I am so grateful to live in a democracy here in the States, even with our own trials on the front of certain freedoms being transgressed upon such as freedom of speech.

While far from being an expert, I also recognize that the Palestinian people, (and I am not referring to Hamas militants, rather families, civilians, people like you and me) have not been free either in many fundamental ways. It is a situation that I truly hope can find a way forward that honors both groups of people, for at the root, we are all one group of humans.

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Ruth Bracegirdle's avatar

Beautiful piece. I agree that compassion and kindness are our greatest forms of resistance to the horrors that we create.

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Francesca Fartaj's avatar

Wow that stung me in its truth … “the horrors that WE create.” I hope the generations to follow learn more than we have and subsequently do better.

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Mr. Jreft's avatar

Watching innocent lives getting hurt like this is gut wrenching. Thanks for writing such a thoughtful piece of the impact of this war on our children and us all.

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Francesca Fartaj's avatar

It’s been a destabilizing time emotionally for so many yet nothing compares to what the people in Israel and Palestine are experiencing.

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Christine Dabbs's avatar

I have no words for such tragedy of pain and suffering.

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Francesca Fartaj's avatar

Absolutely impossible to truly articulate the tragedy.

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