Young and Palestinian Like Me
YO! Youth Outlook Multimedia, Commentary, Ihsan Mohammed, Posted: Dec 17, 2006
Editor's Note: A young Bay Area Palestinian reacts to an encounter with Mohammad Omer, another young Palestinian reporting from the ground in the Gaza Strip. Ihsan Mohammed Taha is 19 and an intern for YO! Youth Outlook
SAN FRANCISCO -- I am a Palestinian currently living in San Francisco. I moved here three years ago from my country at the end of December 2003. I left because my sister became a victim of a gas bomb thrown at a checkpoint. She became both physically and mentally ill, so she needed special medical attention. A college education was also impossible to complete.
I came with my mother, little brother, and sister to live with my father and two elder brothers to move on with the next stage in my life. I finished high school in San Francisco and I am now 19 attending City College to earn a certificate in Animation with an overview of other multi-media.
I want to express my thoughts through different media, and represent my country in a positive way. However, it is tough trying to explain situations when you are so far away from them and you’re basically alone trying to get that out.
After my days with my first job were over, I found New America Media and began writing there. One day, I heard about a journalist coming to receive an award for the Best Youth Voice. 22-year-old Mohammed Omer is from Gaza in Palestine, and has come with news to show the American public. I was given a chance to interview him and I learned a lot. To be a successful journalist, you must be neutral, objective, and confident, because hardships will always arise but you must be patient and learn to let the truth speak for itself. Omer spoke about facts and recent events that he has personally experienced, which was very valuable information that can reduce the ignorance of this violence. He made me feel less isolated.
Also, meeting Omer increased my belief that I must be patient regardless of what my current condition is because there are others facing even worse situations. Above all that, God is forever watching and knowing this, can help me withstand the pressure of patience.
Seeing another person from my country take action to make the world a better place was a big relief. I felt like I was given courage to focus on my ways of making a better world. I am very thankful that I met Mohammed Omer.
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