Different Worlds...Same Goal

I didn't fully understand the point and information, more importantly the message, of the story "Male Gender and Rituals of Resistance in the Palestinian Intifada" until I read it a second time. The deeper I looked, the more I noticed the similarities between the Palestinian Intifada and our own military here in the United States. Jail for Palestinians can be easily related to time spent in basic training. This is were you first learn of what you're life is about to be. The most basic of instructions and knowledge are gained. You understand leadership roles, positions, and the hierarchy of the system that was set in place before you were even born. You find out that you don't know everything and have much to learn. Even deeper are the fundamentals behind the "training." Both systems break you down to the point when you don't know what you're doing or why you're even there. In order to progress in the military, you are put through situations with no understanding, but left wondering when the next punishment will take place, always with an open mind and retaining as much knowledge as you can. For Ali, being wrapped up and beaten weeks at a time would be the equivalent.

Hussein's time spent in what they call "interrogation" is almost identical to prisoner of war (POW) training. Both the main character and myself can relate. At times, it seemed as if giving information to the interrogator sounded easier then getting the crap beet out of you. For a small piece of information you could stop the pain inflicted on you and the others around. We also had to learn to work as a team, to help each other, and support one another in the worst of times.

You never knew when the punishment would come, and more often then not, it was most unexpected. When one would be singled out, the others would surround him and "lift him up." The airmen who had gone through training would give guidance and support to the younger, inexperienced trainee. The same can be said in this story. When Ali gets rolled up for the first time, Sami is there to give him support and advice saying, "Don't cry or shout. Don't let them know it hurts." The same advice was given on me...in the same situation.

This story takes place on the other side of the world and even though both groups have different goals and accomplishments to undertake, the basic fundamentals of training the members go through are easily relatable. The scars are real. They remind you of the pain you suffered, and the knowledge you gained.