Acceptance speech for Eliav-Sartawi Award by Tala A. Rahmeh

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Acceptance speech for Eliav-Sartawi Award

by Tala A. Rahmeh

13 November 2008

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JERUSALEM – I've been thinking a lot about what I wanted to say today. It is a rare occasion for someone like me to receive a platform such as this one to not only accept an award, but also to “open up” to a delightful crowd such as you.

I am honoured to be here today amongst all of you in Jerusalem—the city I never thought would invite me for an occasion like this. I have been angry at Jerusalem and at the situation for so long and I think I'm tired of being angry.

I am here today because of my mother. In addition to being a magical human being, she was able to walk into every place with a sense of inviting kindness and openness that only someone who the world couldn't break down could have.

Mama walked into the Oncology Unit at Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem for every chemo session, with an infectious smile. One couldn't believe that this woman had just crossed a crowded, anger inducing, nothing-short-of humiliating checkpoint on her way, the same checkpoint I had just crossed on my way here to the International YMCA in West Jerusalem tonight.

She was very resilient, intelligent, and aware of the injustice around her, but she never shut down and always had enough heart to translate her concerns into understanding and courageously express her humanity. My mom was able, in a year of treatment, to inform every nurse and doctor of her reality, and yet manage to start a dialogue of love.

This award is just a beginning of something that, if given a chance to bloom, will create a difference. Literature and journalism are two of the few mediums that demand writers’ sincerity with the readers and a bravery to step into new territory. This sincerity is vital in opening people's eyes to their surroundings, and compelling them to take a much closer look at themselves.

When I read Mahmoud Darwish, James Baldwin and Langston Hughes, I am in awe of their ability to make me reach into my brain, and flick off my constant build-up of sadness and hatred. I have my obvious reasons to be hopeless, but writers like them force me to cultivate hope.

I am not here to use terms like “peace” or “coexistence” because they are empty words to me. I am here to say that it is necessary for us to start being honest, to start bleeding on the surface and showing each other and ourselves how angry, hurt and disappointed we are.

It is going to take a long time for us to heal, but until we are willing to tell each other exactly what we think, every agreement we ever launch will be nothing but ink on paper.

As for me, my life-long goal has become practicing uncompromising honesty.

Finally, this award is for mother, and for all the immeasurable beauty she brought into this world.

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* Tala Abu Rahmeh was born in Amman and moved to Ramallah in 1994. She has a degree in English Literature and Political Science from Birzeit University, and is pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at American University in Washington, DC. She is also currently writing her first book of poetry and is one of three recipients of the 2008 Eliav-Sartawi Award for Middle East Journalism. Tala Abu Rahmeh may be reached at: tala.ar@gmail.com. This article was written for the Common Ground News Service (CGNews).

Source: Common Ground News Service, 11 November 2008, www.commongroundnews.org.
Copyright permission is granted for publication.


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