Rachel’s
Words Live On
By Remi Kanazi
01 April, 2006
Electronic Intifada
Each Palestinian has a special
place in their heart for Rachel Corrie. She symbolized strength, perseverance,
and self-assuredness. Conversely, she was labeled an enemy of Israel,
a nuisance by the American government and a target of ridicule by pro-Israeli
propagandists. 58 years ago, my grandparents were dispossessed from
their land in Palestine and this energetic little white girl from Olympia,
Washington traveled half the world to try to fulfill their dream: the
fruition of justice in Palestine.
On March 22, a congregation
of ardent supporters gathered to commemorate Rachel’s life and
spread her words in the very church Martin Luther King first chastised
the war in Vietnam. This event came out of controversy. The critically
acclaimed play My Name is Rachel Corrie, which chronicled Corrie’s
work with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) in Palestine through
email and letters (and had two sellout runs in London), was canceled
by the New York Theater Workshop (NYTW). Just weeks after the cartoon
controversy and the mass trumpeting of free speech worldwide, Rachel
Corrie was being silenced. The New York Theater Workshop attempted to
crush her memory but her words live on. Other theaters have already
expressed interest in putting on the show.
A list of brilliant speakers
came out to show solidarity in the name human rights and justice. Democracy
Now’s Amy Goodman opened, “Welcome to this sanctuary of
dissent. Dissent is what makes this country great.” Arab American
Institute president James Zogby professed, “She [Rachel], not
George Bush was our liberator.” Actress and activist Kathleen
Chalfant declared, “There is hope that this will turn into a triumph.
[This will be] a model for political action.”
Rachel Corrie fought for
the realization of peace and the defense of those who couldn’t
protect themselves -- those unprotected by outside governments and the
“civilized” world. Legendary poet, memoirist and actress
Maya Angelou extended words of solace: “I love peace. For all
peace lovers I send my condolences.” Angelou went on to elucidate
Corrie’s valor, “I think we develop [courage]… Rachel
had courage. Please develop that courage.”
New York State Senate hopeful
and Jewish activist Jonathan Tasani exclaimed, “It’s our
duty to speak out against human rights [violations] … One-sided
policy that ignores human rights and international law. It must stop
now!” This message was reiterated throughout the night. Huwaida
Arraf, co-founder of the ISM, argued that this was not about “Muslims
vs. Jews.” It was simply “Occupation vs. Freedom.”
She pressed, “We must believe that we can challenge and defeat
the third or fourth strongest military in the world with our hearts
and minds.” Many of the speakers were touched on a personal level.
Actress Najla Said, daughter of the late Edward Said, expressed amazement
at Rachel’s ambitious and steadfast mentality, “She went
to Palestine . . . I’ve never stood in front of a bulldozer.”
The night eventually turned
to the subject of censorship with speakers relating their stories to
the NYTW’s refusal to show My Name is Rachel Corrie. Comedienne
Maysoon Zayid spoke about the first time she was censored. Zayid was
supposed to be on 20/20 with John Stossel along with a group of other
comedians. It was just after the death of Rachel, so Zayid wore a shirt
with a picture of Corrie on it to show solidarity and pay homage to
her memory.
Problems arose when Stossel
realized Zayid didn’t fit into America’s concocted image
of covered, oppressed and subordinate Muslims. Stossel, clearly annoyed
by her t-shirt, barked at Zayid in the interview, “You could never
say what you say in your country.” Zayid snapped back, “What
do you mean John? I say it everyday in my country. I was born in Jersey.”
He replied, “No I mean in your ancestor’s country.”
Again she came back at him, asserting that she had performed “Live
From Palestine,” a comedy show performed throughout Palestine,
seven or eight times. They went back and forth on the issue; Stossel
just couldn’t believe that Palestine was anything but a haven
for repressed, rock-throwing miscreants. When the 20/20 episode aired
Zayid’s whole segment with Stossel was edited out.
Throughout the evening numerous
speakers spoke of the courage, love and strength possessed by Rachel’s
parents, Cindy and Craig. Others offered their condolences and words
of hope. Punk singer Patti Smith sang a song she wrote for Cindy and
Craig via video, “Your tears were not in vain. But we both know
we’d never be the same.” She ended with a reminder, “The
meek will inherit the land.”
As the show wound down, Cindy
and Craig took center stage. I was extremely moved listening them speak.
This spirited couple have visited Palestine, continue to tour the country,
and are relentless in getting the message of their daughter out to the
world. Cindy voiced that Rachel would “want to tell you the stories
of Bil’in . . . the demonstrations… the Israelis that came
to the wall to resist… the Palestinians in Gaza that are running
out of food.” Craig passionately appealed to the crowd, “Speak
out, let it be known… at home… at work… in Congress…
let them know!”
*Visit www.Rachelswords.org
for more information and upcoming events
Remi Kanazi is the primary writer for the political website www.PoeticInjustice.net.
He lives in New York City as a Palestinian American freelance writer,
poet and performer and can be reached at: [email protected].
This article first appeared on Electronic Intifada.