Interfaith Cooperation
What I admire about the work of IFYC is how inclusive it is, without asking for participants to water down their beliefs in order to get along. Their mission – making interfaith cooperation a social norm – requires that participants bring everything about who they are to the table, rather than leave those parts that are perceived as being at odds at the door. And what’s exciting is that when everything is brought to the table, people find out just how much they actually have in common. Much more so than the things which divide!
Maura remarked at how vibrant and expansive the conversations are, with very little judgment. The fact is, no one in the world can possibly get by only interacting with people who are just like them, who believe exactly what they believe. So by normalizing interaction with people of different faiths – by bringing these young leaders together from all walks of life, giving them concrete ways of interacting, allowing them to learn from one another – learning how to speak, play, collaborate, even debate – that behavior becomes normal. Instead of thinking that religion breeds conflict, THEIR experience shows that religion brings people together, unites them through shared values, and provides a way of making the world a better place. Like their campaign says – we’re “better together.”
Manifesto for Change
In September, I was privileged to witness and film the Entrepreneurs’ Organization gathering in Amsterdam. The energy and optimism in the hallways, and from speakers such as Kofi Annan, Slava Rubin, and Dr. Muhammad Yunus stands in contrast to much of what we hear today. The world is not just falling apart. There are people creating positive change through business across the globe.
Over 500 entrepreneurs signed a manifesto declaring their commitment to making the world a better place, and so can you.
Introducing Maura
Photo by Dowat - House of Munroe
A metropolis of 30,000. Rolling hills, uninhabited – beautiful, but desolate. Skirt suits.
If you had asked me exactly a year ago where I would be on October 7, 2011, I would have painted the description above. Upon entering my senior year of college, I thought I was destined to put my journalism degree to good use in Boise, Idaho, or somewhere in North Dakota. Local news, I believed, was the only way to begin my career as a journalist.
Luckily, I got involved with my school’s nightly newscast and quickly realized that the route I presumed I had to take was a one-way ticket to a life of therapy and sedatives (not necessarily in that order). My empatheic nature was a fault in the newsroom. Caring showed subjectivity, the number one sin of a reporter.
Suppressing my disdain for the injustices in my community to ensure objective reporting could only last a semester. It was time for a new plan (that conveniently needed to be drawn up in 2 months – my poor parents, I know). Through a fortuitous series of events (meeting my mentor, paying attention in my Social Entrepreneurship class, studying theory of social enterprise, etc.) I got my head on straight.
And that is when the fateful Google search “social change production company” led me to where I am now. Left Brain/Right Brain Productions. Drawn to the company because of it’s mission to enact and promote positive social change through visuals, it instantly became a perfect fit. I would be road-tripping from Arizona to Pennsylvania in June, and Chicago easily could be on the way. On a whim, I reached out to Malachi asking if he had interest in hiring a recent graduate. Needless to say, it all worked out.
This new stage of life combines visual story telling and saving the world. No longer do I have to report on a family whose house is in foreclosure, pack up my equipment, give a, “good luck!” and never turn back. I have the ability to stand up for oppressed and speak for those who cannot do so themselves. The ethics I had to painstakingly abide by in the newsroom have transitioned into the ethical life I wish to live. And, most importantly, my nightmares of wearing matching pants suites have ceased.
Left Brain/Right Brain Productions is fantastic place to work, grow and thrive. The scope of what we do and the clients we are so fortunate to work alongside of are remarkable. This 22-year-old has found her home in Chicago and her place with the Left Brain/Right Brain family. I look forward prospering with and assisting in expanding our business and thank all who have been and will be a part of that.
Changemakers in Film: Tiffany Shlain
As an artist and thinker, Tiffany holds a number of tensions. She is director of The Moxie Institute, an organization that creates films, discussion programs, theater experiences, and Internet experiments around social issues using emerging technologies. At the same time, her new film, Connected, highlights the possibilities of new technology while revealing how it can destroy our connectedness. She advocates a National Day of Unplugging.
These seeming paradoxes make for a great documentary filmmaker, as Tiffany is able to see multiple perspectives (visually and intellectually). Tiffany’s films are a fusion of documentary and narrative and are known for their whimsical yet provocative approach to unraveling complicated subjects like politics, cultural identity, technology and science. Her films include “Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Happiness” about reproductive rights in America, and “The Tribe,” an exploration of American Jewish identity through the history of the Barbie doll, the first documentary short to become the #1 on iTunes. She recently made, “Yelp: With Apologies to Allen Ginsberg’s Howl,” about our addiction to technology and the importance of occasionally “unplugging,’ which was selected as finalist for Guggenheim Museum & Youtube’s YouTube Play: A Biennial of Creative Video and for Sundance 2011.
Don’t ask, don’t tell? Yeah, right.
The “I am the Water, You are the Sea” Facebook page received an interesting post this week, containing a link accompanied by the following comment:
“Why do we need to know that they are “lovers” [referring to Alex and Ali]? Couldn’t we just be very happy for such good friends to be reunited?”
The link is to the Facebook page for what’s known as “W.I.S.H.” – the “World Invocation of Sexual Privacy.” The purpose of “W.I.S.H.” is the following:
“To promote the idea that the sexuality and sexual activity of any individual is at its most beneficial for everyone when it is a private matter, and to counteract psychological and social intrusion by outsiders on the sanctity of personal eroticism; ~ To safeguard genuine friendship by endeavoring to protect it from any and all damage that can be done to it by sexual activity.”
Although my initial inclination was just to delete the post (because I disagree with it), I figured why not explore it instead? A central component of the social action campaign for “I am the Water, You are the Sea” is about breaking down barriers. I think this means proactive, open engagement and discussion with those who disagree or oppose the change we seek to create.
Although the author of this comment isn’t advocating the criminalization of “gay”, I do have a problem with what sounds like “Put it back in the closet.” I have a problem with anything that sounds like “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” It’s a slippery slope. I mean, disagreements about religion can cause an awful lot of damage, too. Along with politics, nationality, etc. So should we hide our religious identities, political affiliations, and anything else which could cause disagreement or conflict? ”Don’t ask, don’t tell” about other components of our lives?
Yeah, right.
I think what’s “most beneficial for everyone” is the ability to live – and love – freely in an open and fair society, without worrying if your government or your neighbor is going to oppress, persecute, imprison, punish, or kill you for it. Why hide what you are? Why push it down and out of sight?
Back to the Facebook poster’s question: ”Why do we need to know that they are “lovers”? Couldn’t we just be very happy for such good friends to be reunited?” Sure, we can be happy for good friends being reunited. But this isn’t about people who are just ‘good friends’, and it isn’t about “needing to know” that they’re lovers – it’s about simply being honest with the situation. Here are two lovers who have been separated for nearly 34 years, one of whom lives in a society whose government condones the execution of gays and lesbians! They’re two human beings who – through their love and FOR their love – are overcoming every obstacle which has been thrown in their path to be together once again. Why on earth would we ever want to push that back into the closet? Why would we ever want to promote the idea that we shouldn’t ask and shouldn’t tell?
My hope is that, through this film, the world will see these lovers – the world will see their great love – and embrace the belief that it doesn’t matter if you’re American, Iranian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Christian, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender – we ALL are water and sea. Beautiful, religious, passionate, political, sexual creatures. Billions of individuals, one beautiful ball of Human Kind.
The Sound of Two Souls
I spent an incredible time in Portland with Alex this past weekend. It was his first time back since his 8-week Peace Corps training in the summer of 1967. During the weekend, he connected with 100’s of other Peace Corps volunteers who had served in Iran in the 60’s and 70’s, some of whom he’d been very close friends with – and even a few who had met Ali. He even met the man who had trained him in Persian, several hours a day, 5 days a week. It was amazing to spend a weekend with so many people – Americans – who all spoke fluent Persian. I was the odd man out (and will be picking up my Rosetta Stone prior to the reunion, I’ve decided!!).
It was also enjoyable to just continue to spend time with Alex since he’s my uncle. We had breakfast each morning together, went to the Portland farmers’ market, and attended Portland’s 12th annual Iranian Festival.
On Sunday, our last day in Portland, I took Alex to a bench nestled in a beautiful stretch of little parks on the Portland State University campus. There I interviewed him about how he and Ali are feeling at this point, and was so moved when he spoke of the sound of Ali’s voice on the phone. When they used to speak on the phone, Alex said that Ali often had a tone of depression or sadness. It would eventually dissipate throughout their conversation, but it was often there. Now, Alex says, the new life that he hears in Ali’s voice is palpable. Since their decision to reunite, he hears the unmistakable sound, gets the unmistakable feeling, of hope, energy, vitality, confidence. Joy.
Alex discusses how he and Ali are feeling about their upcoming reunion.
It made me think about one of the answers to the questions I had asked Alex during the last 2 years of our work compiling and documenting the story of their love together in Iran in the 60’s and 70’s. When they knew they couldn’t be together any more, Alex told me the story of the sound Ali made… (it’s hard to even write this without tearing up)
I just can’t imagine the sound of two souls being torn apart. There aren’t words to describe it. Alex heard it once that day. Primal, sad, grieving, human.
Then I began to wonder what it sounds like when two souls, separated for 34 years – separated by 1000’s of miles, by revolution, by cultures, religion, politics – what does it sound like when these two souls overcome it all, climb higher and farther than anyone or anything can reach, and reunite? What does it sound like when they once again collide? Will it sound like thunder? Like the crashing of waves in the sea? It must be one of the most beautiful sounds the universe can make.
In the love letter Ali wrote to Alex, from which I took the title of this film, he spoke of their love being something which was inevitable. Something which, once it began, could not be stopped.
What’s awesome – truly awesome! – is that, this fall, we’ll be there to capture that moment, that sound, of these two souls coming back together. Two souls, never to be separated again.
“As Big as they Come”
Alex jumped at the opportunity to talk about Ali’s heart, and the sacrifices he has made for people he loves.
We would love some footage of the two of them together! But that’s not going to happen until the filming begins. Please help us reunite this couple and tell their story.
Changemakers in Film: Maryam Keshavarz
Maryam Keshavarz’ first feature film, Circumstance, was the Audience Award winner at Sundance this year. A synopsis from the film:
Teenagers Atafeh, and her best friend, Shireen, are experimenting with their burgeoning sexuality amidst the subculture of Tehran’s underground art scene when Atafeh’s brother, Mehran, returns home from drug rehab as the prodigal son. Battling his demons, Mehran vehemently renounces his former life as a classical musician and joins the morality police. He disapproves of his sister’s developing intimate relationship with Shireen and becomes obsessed with saving Shireen from Atafeh’s influence. Suddenly, the two siblings, who were close confidants, are entangled in a triangle of suspense, surveillance, and betrayal as the once-liberal haven of the family home becomes a place of danger for the beautiful Atafeh.
The trailer looks beautiful, and we appreciate Keshavarz using storytelling as an impetus for dialogue and change.
Immigration Equality
There are three significant obstacles that are preventing Alex and Ali from living together as a couple:
1) Alex could get a visa to travel to Iran, but be in danger of being arrested, tortured, or even executed as homosexuality is against the law.
2) Getting Ali out of Iran is problematic, as Iran is very restrictive in allowing short term travel visas
3) Finding a place where both Alex and Ali can legally reside. Since US immigration law does not recognize same-sex couples, Ali is not eligible to get a green card. Thus, the best chance of Ali living in the US is to be granted asylum.
There are organizations who can help. Left Brain/Right Brain Productions is excited to announce that Immigration Equality will be a social action partner for I am the Water, You are the Sea. Immigration Equality provides critical legal counsel to clients, and advocates on Capitol Hill for compassionate and inclusive immigration reform.
LGBT people fleeing persecution from around the world call Immigration Equality for help. Over the past three years, Immigration Equality and its pro bono partners have won asylum for 271 people – a 99% success rate.
You can help us reunite Alex and Ali, and get the film made by donating on Kickstarter.
Thank You to (and from) Donors
We are 1/3 of the way through our Kickstarter campaign, and continue to be energized at how people are responding to the story of Alex and Ali. In addition to pledging money, individuals and organizations have contacted us and offered to help. We are grateful.
Here are some notes from those who have pledged . . .
“It’s a beautiful story. It chokes me up every time I watch one of your teaser videos. It really brings home the power of love and the importance of patience, which is a good lesson for me now because my boyfriend is in Alabama and I’m not a patient person lol. It’s proof to me like nothing else that no matter what race, nationality, background, or even gender, love from the soul transcends all. These two men need to meet. They deserve their chance at happiness together after all this time.” – Sarah
“The backstory is just so amazing I decided to donate some money. There’s never a bad time to make a love story, but it seems even more relevant considering how the world’s attention is currently turned to the Middle East and Iran.” – Rachel
“We feel special sympathy for the story. Having gone through a somewhat tedious and complicated process to be together, gave us an idea of the enormous complexity of their situation.”- Nicolas and Katharine
“I chose to support the project because I was touched by how and when the two met. I was also touched by your connection to them. I am excited for them and for you.” – Daniel
“I have supported a couple things on Kickstarter. I think the ‘kickstart’ program is brilliant – a wonderful way to get the word out, let folks know what something is about and who’s behind it..and give them a chance to “put in their two cents”, quite literally.”- Cindy
