The Hype (Part 1): Conflict Resolution & Media

Over the course of the various training we have received in the past week, my mentors and peers have introduced elements of media into our education. Some of the media sources are much more humorous than others and attempt to unpack complicated issues through innovation and wit. Others are completely sobering and difficult to watch, but completely realistic in scope and purpose.

I will be posting some of the major impacting videos from the trip so far, including a small bit of information detailing the context in which they were shown to us. I hope you get a chance to watch some of the videos and share them with others, or start a discussion about what you see.

This first video is the Coca Cola ad for their "Small World Machines" concept, entitled Bringing India & Pakistan Together. It's lighthearted demeanor and catchy melodies capture a sense of optimism in facing the challenge of ethnic exclusion and division. While one can argue the effectiveness of the campaign, the message sent (regardless) is one to cherish.

The next clip is a 39 minute documentary about an unlikely relationship formed between an Imam and a Pastor in Nigeria, and how their former hatred as enemies transformed into a beautiful mutual mission for the common thread of human rights for their respective communities-- they traveled together preaching religious tolerance of Muslims and Christians, and sought to change others' perspectives on what it means to co-exist in this way.

The video above comes from a Daily Show clip that was shown to us when we began to debate whether the Cordoba Mosque should be built within the two blocks surrounding the 911 attack radius. Our aim was to discern what the true underlying issues were at that time (in 2010) in our country. Enjoy the outlandishly poignant clip! I could not find the hilarious clip with Wyatt Cenac, but will try to locate that still...

This next clip is called "Determined to Save Succeeding Generations from the Scourge of War" and was screened at the United Nations June 6th, 2013. The title comes from the introduction of the UN's charter, which states that "We the people of the United Nations are determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war..." and aired at the briefing and panel focusing on the role that war has played in recent human history, focusing on the progress in the reduction of war in human history.

Please comment on the videos and start discussions of your own-- I am happy to post more media sources if you are interested at all!