In the midst of all the hatred, misunderstanding, and violence that have a tendency to strike at random, it is heartening to see members of communities normally not at ease taking matters into their own hands. They initiate the first step towards promoting peace, friendship, and mutual respect and understanding in an effort to alleviate the suffering of those who came before them, often using previously overlooked aspects of life that bring us together as simple human beings. This is especially encouraging once you know that the Middle East is the root of my writing.

A newly formed non-profit organization, Genesis at the Crossroads, was incorporated in Illinois last September in an effort to build an organization that would "promote awareness, appreciation and celebration of cultural diversity apart from political division", particularly among members of the Arab, Jewish and Persian communities in the country. Genesis at the Crossroads is the brainchild of Dr. Wendy Sternberg, a physician practicing in Chicago. She initiated this program as a Self-Expression and Leadership Program under the Landmark Education Corporation. The Board of Directors first met in May earlier this year, electing Dr. Sternberg and Mr. Robert Khoury, an independent trader and writer, as Co-Presidents. The organization held its first fundraising event last November 20^th, which I myself attended, at the Mars Gallery in Chicago.

The event consisted of a reception featuring lavish Middle Eastern cuisine, and an eclectic mix of music from the region. Standing in the warehouse loft dating back to the early 1900’s, surrounded by a magnificent array of modern artwork, I observed members of Arab, Jewish, Persian and Turkish communities in the city exchanging warm dialogue. Looking around me, I realized that the people in this room were almost indistinguishable in terms of their religious and political tendencies, despite some predominant Middle Eastern features in some of them. I know the feeling because I myself have been mistaken for being Jewish, Iranian, Armenian, Turkish, and – most frequently – just plain old "American". Indeed, I often recount to my friends the story of the sergeant who once tried to recruit me for the Iowa National Guard one day while I was riding the bus home, insisting that I was lying to him because I did not want to serve my country.

The Co-Presidents of Genesis at the Crossroads added a pleasant ambiance to the already relaxed setting with their warm personalities. Mr. Khoury and I discussed how Genesis at the Crossroads came into being, and what the future vision consisted of. He built on the core concepts of unconditional acceptance and celebration of diversity, and he discussed the organization’s plans to initiate dialogue and discussion using educational programs and media, such as contests of essays, poetry, and the visual arts, and diversity education in literature and the arts.

The Genesis Board of Directors consists of a rainbow of community members most notable being Ray Hanania, award-winning journalist and author of the bestseller "I’m Glad I Look Like a Terrorist: Growing Up Arab in America". Also included is Brigid Maher, Co-Founder and President of Tiny Leaps Productions, a non-profit independent film company preparing to release its first feature. Other board members include Mitchell Pawlan of Kwiatt & Reuben Ltd.; architect Mandana Brown; and Cindy Levitt, CEO of C. Levitt Consulting.

Mr. Khoury explained that this fundraising event was the first in a series of three preceding a groundbreaking program scheduled for March 26, 2000. The day-long celebration, "Peace through the Arts", will consist of a cabaret-style evening featuring Middle Eastern musicians and dancers, a buffet of Middle Eastern food, and an art exhibit of textiles and calligraphy. It will be held in the Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center, accompanied by an essay contest for children across cultures. This contest, aiming to teach children early on the value of diversity and cultural awareness, will be held in a mosque, a church, and a synagogue. The long-term vision is for a weekend-long workshop by 2005, which will work towards the goals of Genesis at the Crossroads and bring together the populations of the Middle East.

The guests were then ushered into a room where a portion of a new film was screened. "Adrift in the Heartland", the first independent feature film made by Tiny Leaps Productions, was written and directed by Brigid Maher, President of Tiny Leaps. The film touches upon the stereotypes that the general public has of Arab Americans as well as those that Arab Americans have of other groups in the United States. The screening of the film provided the catalyst for a lively debate regarding these issues of importance, interjecting questions of identity, ethnicity, and culture to the youth of America today. I decided to recede as the discussion continued without saying goodbye; I had already decided that I must see this wonderful group of people again soon. There was much to be done here.

I stood at the corner of West Fulton Avenue, in the heart of Chicago’s warehouse district, waiting to be picked up, wondering how some people found the determination to get up and say "Let’s do this", and then doing it. Oftentimes it is frustrating to see the pain and destruction in front of your eyes, and then try to convince yourself that you can get up on your feet, forgive someone for hurting you, and start over to build something better for those who come after you. I now know that this can be done; no one said it would be easy. Amends must be made, and I’m hoping that the work of the people behind Genesis at the Crossroads is a beginning, a first step, a little match in the darkness.

Warmongering is not even fashionable anymore.