The movie Parzania that we watched on the first day of SPP left me shocked, powerless, and confused. However, it introduced me to the what I had read about direct, structural and cultural violence. The violence that was shown in the movie did not happen just like that. It was planned, the existing political structures and institutions supported it. Similarly, the dominant Hindu culture that has been dehumanizing the Muslims since India-Pakistan partition had endorsed the genocide of Muslim minorities. The ending of the movie did not leave me hopeful either. Although the Human Rights Commission was able to get the truth from the victims, I am still questioning about the forgiveness and justice aspect of the peacebuilding. India as one of the largest democracy getting away with massacring its Muslim minority does not leave one hopeful. The victims of the violence are still living in the camps that is isolating them further. Such confinement is only making the structures stronger to break and dreams of social, economical, and political mobility difficult to attain.
I am still struggling to understand, the role of media and civil society organizations. Are they part of the sub-systems that feeds the system that Dr. Iyer talked about? Should they take responsibilities for the deaths of innocent lives? What is independent media and does it exit? Dr. Iyer also mentioned that systems are made of humans not bricks. I kept asking are we changing it?
Dr. Iyer in her session asked us to take a small test that helped me determine my conflict management styles. I scored high on accommodating. I scored well on collaborating. However, I am realizing that I am more of a teddy bear than an owl. I easily negotiate and accommodate when there is conflict or dispute or disagreement. I should work more towards becoming a owl in terms of my conflict management style.
