Connection Point
Women and men express their viewpoints and share their perspectives in a weekly column. These columns form the groundwork for a discourse across cultural and religious boundaries.
Connection Point, Headline, Voices from the Frontlines »
Amal*
Syria
“The fire was getting closer and everything that was in this house, from memories, pictures, life, was fading away in front of my eyes.”
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It is six months into the revolution. It is too cold…there is fear, anxiety, and panic on every face and I do not know what is happening. Is this the sound of thunder or the sound of shootings, the sound of women weeping together with the cries of babies?
Things I hear but do not see, searching for safety, security, and for the end of fear and sadness. In …
Connection Point, Featured »
Connection Point Director Yasmina Mrabet interviewed Lebanese-American Alyssa Marie about her work and perspective as a female rapper in the world of hip hop. Her answers are below.
What inspired you to join the world of hip hop?
I’ve been drawn to the freedom of writing since I was a kid, whether it be poetry, stories, or song lyrics. Coincidentally, I loved music equally as much but didn’t have the voice to be a singer (though I often sing on record anyways.) These two things kind of just merged together over the years …
Connection Point, Featured, Voices from the Frontlines »
Karin Kemp
United States
“What [the attacks] confirmed to me was that as a member of any immigrant community, you can not live on the periphery of society. People cannot speak on your behalf or defend you if they do not know you,” she said.
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In 2012, when insurgents were unleashing a string of attacks across Iraq, who would have dared take on the task of bringing warring religious factions together in face-to-face talks?
That would be Alma Abdul-Hadi Jadallah, an immigrant to the U.S. from the Middle East and founder of Kommon Denominator, a …
Connection Point »
Afifa Ltifi, Connection Point Intern
Tunisia
“In a world scattered and torn with conflict and war, the voices of Goni, Rita and Ines illuminated my vision and gave me a fresh spring breath of motivation and optimism.”
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The 5th United Nations Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC) Global Forum, held Feb. 26-28 in Vienna, Austria, focused on responsible leadership in diversity and dialogue. With a motto of Many Cultures, One Humanity, a total of 150 participants representing 92 countries attended the UNAOC event — half of them women.
While attending the UNAOC Global Forum, I had the opportunity to …
