Last week the Students for Justice in Palestine hosted an awareness week on the quad, pitching an eye-catching white tent and hosting exhibits to raise Palentinian cultural and political awareness among AU students.
The annual event raises awareness on issues affecting Palestinians in the ongoing problems with Israel. Students sat for presentations and could browse literature and hear from Palestinians about how their lives and the lives of their families and friends have been affected by the longtime conflict in the Middle East.
Some people felt uncomfortable, considering the stigma of terrorism attached to the Palestinian cause. Regardless of your loyalties, it can't hurt to hear about what others are going through. With the recent victory of Hamas in the Palestinian elections, more attention has been paid to the conditions on the ground. The Students for Israel do a lot to promote their agenda and it's good to see the Palestinians offering the same.
American University is one of the few schools on the east coast to offer a Palestinian awareness week. It is a testament to our campus' open mindedness, something that can benefit all sides of the issue.
