DAM --- The Voice of Justice

"Be The Change You Wish To See In The World"
Your Voice Can Be the Change …

DAM --- The Voice of Justice

Today, we people are living in a fast paced world and carrying out extremely demanding work, conflicts, crises, wars …. That increases mental stress and gives very little room for relaxation. Since music helps people to sit and relax themselves, it is considered as important by most people. But the fact remains true that there few other people who do not find music so important because, either they do not find time to listen to music or they do not find it amusing and meaningful.

Music In Palestine has become a part of people's everyday routine. People listen to music starting right from their home to public buses, temples, shopping malls and all along the way till their workplace. Music sometimes helps people to forget and overcome the burden of their work and feel refreshed.
Many people feel that music is a good companion for them when they are alone, when they travel and it acts as a solace when they are sad. Also music could help keeping people united and maintaining cultural values. When the black people were oppressed in America, many of their social values were affected by the dictatorship. But the Blacks kept their music as a separate community understanding its importance - which helped them preserving some of their core cultural values. since music helps people both personally and maintaining the culture values of the their country, music is loved and considered important by most people. People who do not understand the importance of music can be edified so they can also imbue and indulge in music.

Few years ago I was in Jenin visiting the Freedom theatre with a group of 40 Internationals from 17 European country… and as mentioned in the program the Internationals were supposed to watch some documentaries about Jenin like “ Arna’s Children and Jenin Jenin”.

The director of the theatre proposed to screen a short documentary on a Palestinian HIP HOP group … It’s called “DAM” … “ I know them … BUT These Internationals are here to know about the Palestinians political situation NOT music” … yes it was my response … and their response as well , “ We’re here to learn about the Palestinian suffering under the occupation NOT the music …”

WHO’S THE TERRORIST … I’M THE TERRORIST??? HOW AM I THE TERRORIST WHEN YOU’VE TAKEN MY LAND??? WHO’S THE TERRORIST?? YOU’RE THE TERRORIST??? YOU’VE TAKEN EVERYTHING I OWN WHILE I’M LIVING IN MY HOMELAND ….

It was very Emotional … Strong … Effective to watch DAM … to hear them singing ... singing for their Homeland … singing for Justice … spreading the Palestinian voice … expressing their anger with their great music … I felt very attached to their music it was not the first time for me to listen to DAM but was very special… the documentary was great … even the Internationals were impressed … they didn’t know that music could be that HONEST, EMOTIONAL, SAD, INFORMATIVE ,MEANINGFUL, HOLY, DEEP, FREE AND JUST …

They thought that the only thing they will watch about Palestine in Jenin refugee camp is Damage , war , victims , shooting , bombing, demolishing , demonstrations , stones ,funerals , and massacres “ . but NOT HIP HOP.

I believe Music is an integral part of culture and it is often used to express ourselves, either by creating it or listening to it. In the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict there has been little in the way of music that describes the history of the Palestinian plight, until now.
Watching this documentary reminded me with one of the most brilliant new artist/activist to take his message to the microphone is the Iron Sheik. His bold and insightful rap-style challenges traditional views on Palestinians with his song entitled, "Olive Trees" describes the uprooting of the Palestinians from their land, much in the same way Israeli settlers are uprooting olive trees today. Ironically, olive trees are traditional symbols of peace, i.e. the olive branch.

Many Palestinian Hip Hop artists base most of their music on the conflict in Palestine and their dream in seeking peace and justice.

One way they express their feelings is through music. The Palestinian hip hop movement began as struggle for the world to hear about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from their perspective.

DAM is now touring the world , meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds … singing for Peace, Justice , Freedom , Equality, Credibility, Rights, and love

Trying to spread the Palestinian voice through their wonderful music.. they’re not trying to convince the world on how just is the Palestinian cause … their honest music is talking to the world and telling the people … open your eyes … reclaim your mind … see the facts … a nation living under occupation, oppression, suffering and injustice is asking you to WAKE UP … is asking you toTAKE AN ACTION.