Through the Eyes of Palestinian Children

     

              After having viewed the movie in class, 5 broken cameras, I learned to have a greater and deeper perception on not only the area as a whole, but the way that families are run and respected within Palestine. Much of the film focuses on the father and his role as superior house-taker and male dominator similar to our own "American Dream" or what it used to rely on. Additionally, the wife is pushed into the shadows of her cleaning and care-taking duties the children are somewhat more of the spotlight throughout the film. This made me come to terms with how sensitive the father wasn't acting and being towards his son about the violence that goes on everyday. But for in my opinion, the father, Emad, did this only for pure good reasons.

            I believe that in referencing the earlier discussions in this class of the "poverty-stricken circle" I believe this too can relate to this violent-stricken future of this Palestinian race. I somehow understand why much of the scenes of huge violent tear gas and bombs being thrown are somewhat understood to have small children around. Only, because yes, its horrific to see and have such young faces near all of this hate, but sadly, it seems unlikely that this harsh environment is only going to continue for their generation. I also think it's crucial for the young boys to see their elders standing up to this police force and showing that they aren't giving up and fight for their land and removal of the wall. It's important for the young children to carry this spirit and drive into their generation so that one day maybe this all can end for the greater good of the Palestinians. While I think it is right to have this energy and power pursued through generations I only think that children should SEE and watch it all from afar, never be involved in it at a young age. That is not what I focus on. However, sadly that is the case sometimes, they are put in far too much danger that no children should have to face.

           I found a brief article that talks about the "excessive force" on Palestinian children. It highlights the intense images that these children are pained with throughout Palestine. The article says ""Amid escalating violence and an increasingly militarized environment where Israeli forces and settlers operate with complete impunity, Palestinian children have been subject to disproportionate violence" (Strickland 1). It gives extreme facts on how nearly 201 children of Palestine have been injured. That these young children will not have psychological scars for the rest of their lives. This "disapproproiate" violence is so hard to read about and to see in the movie 5 Broken Cameras and in articles such as these. So my concluding thoughts are not that children EVER should be involved or injured, harmed in any way with this ongoing wronged violence, but I do believe it is proper for them to watch it from afar as Emad's children do in the film because they deserve to see what the harsh reality of their future may be, and how to end it and fight for change.


http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/israel-excess-force-palestinian-children-decried-151021140956296.html