Beyond the Bombs: Peace and Hope in Hiroshima and the Armenian Community of Amman
- Nathan Thomas
- Apr 21, 2024
- 7 min read
Greetings from a few thousand feet above the Atlantic Ocean, where I am reflecting on this past term that stretched from the Peace Memorial of Hiroshima to the religiously tolerant and diverse neighborhoods of Jordan. These places, each a testament to resilience, forgiveness, and peaceful coexistence, have shaped the latest chapter of my academic and personal growth. Since I last wrote, our cohort of fellows traveled together to Hiroshima, completed our second trimester, and I even had the opportunity during our Spring interim period to conduct a research grant in Jordan. The second trimester was enriching as I took courses on conflict negotiations, development, and international organizations amidst the beauty of Tokyo in the winter. I had the opportunity to participate in and even lead a Rotary Peace Seminar, which helped to facilitate dialogue among our group of Peace Fellows who have found themselves torn in how best to react to ongoing crises. It has been another great trimester of growth, and I am looking forward to the journey ahead in my third trimester at ICU before I embark on further professional development in the field of International Humanitarian Law in The Hague and Cambodia during the Applied Field Experience portion of the Fellowship.
Hiroshima - A Reminder of War's Devastation
Our trip to Hiroshima, one of two cities to have endured the devastation of a nuclear bomb, will undoubtedly be one of the most impactful moments for our cohort. It served as a stark reminder of why we are committed to studying peace and conflict resolution. The unimaginable scale of destruction and suffering witnessed here is deeply sobering. At the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, we were confronted with the indiscriminate aftermath that claimed tens of thousands of lives in an instant and had immeasurable long-term effects. The outline of a human shadow etched on the stairs of a bank entrance, photos of the total destruction, testimonies of survivors, and images of the long-term health effects on survivors demonstrated the pure horror of conflict and nuclear weapons. Meeting Ms. Keiko Ogura, a survivor of the bombing, who shared her personal story from that fateful day on August 6, 1945, as well as the ongoing impact of the event, was incredibly moving. We may each have different perspectives, experiences, and beliefs about the best way to advocate for peace; nonetheless, witnessing such destruction brought home the common goal of fighting against the devastation wrought by conflict.
Later that evening, on our second day in Hiroshima, several of us joined a local demonstration held at the iconic A-Dome—a stark symbol of wartime devastation. This peaceful protest against current global conflicts served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing suffering caused by indiscriminate violence worldwide, from Gaza and Israel to Sudan and Myanmar. Standing in the shadow of a site where violence had reached such devastating levels, we were all deeply moved. We all left the trip with a renewed commitment to peacebuilding and working together. It was a poignant moment that united us in our commitment to advocate for those affected by conflict anywhere in the world.
Peace Seminar: A Screening of 'The Kazims' with Natalia Preston
In the midst of a semester filled with learning and exploration, the Peace Fellows and I were granted an extraordinary opportunity. We had the privilege of hosting Natalia Preston, an award-winning film director, for an exclusive pre-showing of her upcoming film, "The Kazims." This powerful film unveiled the struggles and resilience of the Kazim family, a Uyghur family who sought refuge in Munich, Germany, after fleeing persecution in Xinjiang province.
The screening did more than just narrate the struggles of one family; it highlighted the often overlooked complexities beneath the fast-paced news coverage. It illuminated ongoing crises that persist silently, without media attention. Following the film, we engaged in a meaningful discussion with Director Preston, diving deep into the themes of justice, resilience, and activism portrayed in the film. This interaction provided a reflective space to consider our roles in the broader narrative of peace and justice beyond the headlines.
Coexistence and Humanity in Amman
Funded by the generous support of the Japan ICU Foundation, my recent weeks were spent in Jordan delving into the Armenian diaspora’s history of resilience and tolerance and served as the capstone of an intense second trimester at ICU. This experience alone could fill the entire post, but it is just one episode in the whirlwind of the past few months. Having studied in Jordan in 2015, I came to know about the Armenian community here who were driven from their homes in Anatolia in modern-day Turkey first by the ethnic cleansing and genocide waged by the Ottoman Government in 1915 and subsequently displaced by further conflicts and geopolitical shifts in the Levant. The ancestors of the Armenians of Jordan who I met built a vibrant community on a hilltop in Amman called the Jabal Al Ashrafieh or the Armenian neighborhood characterized by the creation of a dual Jordanian Armenian identity and religious coexistence. On this hilltop, neither religious identity nor ancestry impedes acceptance; a testament to the inclusive spirit of both the Armenians and Arabs of Amman and Jordan more broadly.
The beauty of this tolerance and hospitality could be seen on one of my first days when I left an Armenian church service just before the maghrib prayer that announced the breaking of the fast for Muslims during Ramadan. I started slowly walking down the hill to the street below, knowing that there would be no taxi drivers available to take me back to the research center where I was residing as almost all drivers took time off work to eat and drink with their families for the first time in thirteen hours. Encountering a group of Muslim men, I was warmly invited to break the fast, pray, and commune with them. At that moment, my identity as a Christian and an American were both accepted and tolerated; I was simply a guest, embraced by a family of Palestinian origin. This act of inclusion was representative of the unity and mutual respect that characterizes the daily life on Al Ashrafieh’s hilltop; a sentiment echoed in the stories shared by Armenians throughout my 20 interviews.
My research focus centered on the closure of the Armenian school and the changing identity among shifts in the community dynamic. Throughout this study, I observed the multifaceted challenges confronting the community—stemming from generational, religious, and political divides, as well as regional instability and the natural processes of integration and assimilation. Despite these obstacles, the community's resilience was evident: a community that has overcome one of the gravest episodes in human history to forge a new existence in a land of strangers who have welcomed and embraced them. I am honored and grateful to have been able to witness this hospitality in person and the warm reception and support extended by the Jordanians of Armenian, Palestinian, Syrian, and Bedouin heritage. This research trip has undoubtedly been a highlight of my academic career.
During this trip, I also had the opportunity to visit the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for the Palestinians (UNRWA) headquarters, which is in Amman, where I learned firsthand of the immense challenges that the organization faces due to the ongoing events in Gaza and Israel. I heard accounts of the dire situation in Rafah from those who had been there, where shelters designed for 2,500 people are sheltering 40,000 people with ½ liter of drinking water daily per person. Additionally, the heartbreaking statistic that 1 in 100 UNRWA employees working in Gaza has been killed (165 as of March 13) underscores the alarming conditions. The overall toll is staggering, with over 34,000 lives lost on both sides. My experiences there lead me to petition my government to do more to advocate for the protection of human lives. Even in conflict, humanitarian principles to prevent and alleviate human suffering must be respected. I hope this remains at the forefront as we engage with our representatives, discussing how the United States might help alleviate civilian suffering not only in Gaza and Israel but in conflict zones worldwide.
Serenity Amidst the Bustle—Snow and Sakura in Tokyo
While I have highlighted many of the challenging things we have encountered this term, it has also been filled with moments of breathtaking beauty. I was once told that I would never see snow in Tokyo, yet in February, we found the campus blanketed in Snow just as the first cherry blossoms were beginning to blossom. The snow led to a couple of quieter days for us to stay inside, work on reports, and catch up. Now, as I prepare to return to Japan, I am greeted with news that the Sakura season is in full bloom, painting the city in vibrant shades of pink. I have been fortunate to receive numerous stunning photographs, and I look forward to experiencing springtime in Japan firsthand.
Looking Forward to New Academic Adventures
The journey ahead looks to be just as exciting as the last term. I am taking courses in Human Rights Law and Field Research Techniques, and I will also serve as a teaching assistant for an undergraduate law course in International Refugee and Migration Law. While I am happy to be heading back to Japan, it seems I must begin to prepare for the Applied Field Experience portion of the Fellowship, where fellows conduct research or professional development. This will include participating in legal clinics focused on International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law in The Hague, Netherlands. Following that, I will undertake an internship at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (the court responsible for prosecuting those most responsible for the serious crimes committed during the Cambodian genocide). I am excited for the upcoming semester, as well as the opportunities to apply my learning in real-world situations, which will contribute to my journey of growth, global understanding, and ability to advocate for reducing harm in conflicts.
Comentarios