All of the problems of the Lebanese are related to the fact that the majority of them distance themselves from the search for common ground; in fact, they go out of their away to drive wedges among themselves, on many levels. They come up with slogans against hatred and racism, but their deeds hardly match their words. If this is the case with Lebanese, you can imagine what it’s like with Syrians. On the other hand, we shouldn’t talk about Lebanese as if they’re all the same in terms of values and principles. They don’t all resemble each other if we’re talking about humanitarian ways of dealing with any person who’s not Lebanese. It would also be a shame to talk about Syrians as if they’re cut from the same cloth, and remind us of the behavior of the Syrian army prior to 2005. The fundamental problem is the level of awareness when it comes to the words “humanitarian” or “humanity.”
It’s only natural for Lebanese society to be affected positively on the cultural level, via any cultural experiment that is performed or published. One of the most important roles an intellectual or artist plays lies in opening horizons up for everyone who takes in his or her cultural production, and merging his or her opinions with efforts to improve community life and spread awareness. Thus, any addition to Lebanon’s cultural life represents the enrichment of society.
Going back to the word humanitarian, we should avoid using prejudicial views about people and not placing them in the dock just because of their color, race, religion, sect or nationality, etc. The intellectual and artist should give voice to his or her humanity, over and above everything else, to demonstrate the essence of true culture.
Perhaps this argument is moving in circles, and perhaps I’m just trying to state the obvious. But the notions that some exclusionist intellectuals bestow upon us have nothing to do with my concept of culture. They make me wonder: if I read a book I find to be significant, without knowing the name of the writer, will I change my mind when I found out the writer’s name? What if I hear a wonderful song on any instrument? Will something be lost from acknowledging the quality of the performance if the musician is Syrian? What about painting, acting, directing, sculpting or any other creative act?
When corruption seeps through an individual, criteria are turned upside down. Questions are posed that take you back to the worst expressions of life. You see a television report talking about a Syrian child who froze to death; you hear voices asking, “Where is your humanity in the face of this tragic scene?” Here, we should ask where we all were for this child, and for those who can’t find shelter or food, before the storms hit in Lebanon. It’s a case of humanity being expressed verbally, without searching for the solutions to the problems – everyone doing so based on his or her awareness and our joint strength when we work together. It’s a humanity that’s dotted with unproductive seminars and gatherings, and writings that haven’t ended the sufferings of Palestinian refugees yet, despite the selection of the most important words to move people’s consciences or bring them back to life. It’s a virtue to say, “We have the honor of trying to produce change, even through words.” There is talk about so-and-so dying under tragic circumstances, which breaks one’s heart and brings tears to the eyes. Then, some people continue their lives as if nothing happened, while others say it’s a case of lack of humanitarian concern.
The image of the dead child why stir up the ideas of person A or B, and produce a powerful poem, or a harsh painting full of blood; it might become a script for a television series or film, etc. It’s a tragedy that makes intellectuals either wallow in sadness with their cultural production, or move away from such a thing, to show us the joy that is possible and that life will continue. To show us that non-military resistance is fruitful and important, and that cultural life is enriched by all human light. To move one’s circles toward something that is better in practical and not theoretical terms.
Words are not deaf; they have eyes and ears, and souls, if we want this. They remain deaf if they are meant only to be words.