Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project

Photo by Alex Potter

In a recent Oval Office address, President Obama marked the “end” of combat operations in Iraq: “We have met our responsibility. Now, it is time to turn the page.”

Not so fast. Unfortunately, the Iraq War has etched itself onto our two countries’ histories: more than 4,400 Americans dead; at least 100,000 Iraqis dead; more than 32,000 Americans wounded; at least two million Iraqis forced to flee their country. It is difficult to comprehend such calamity, much less process, file, and forget.

In the U.S., blame and guilt over the disaster have contributed to political paralysis and cultural division that will not pass quickly or easily. Frank Rich reviewed Obama’s speech in the New York Times: “‘Our unity at home was tested,’ (Obama) said, as if all those bygones were now bygones and all the toxins unleashed by this fiasco had miraculously evaporated once we drew down to 50,000 theoretically non-combat troops.” Before we can banish the war to the forgotten past, we must first stop to be present with its tragedy. We must first take a long, hard look at the war’s toll and its political and cultural enablers—and then begin to repair and reform.

Photo by Alex Potter

Art offers one way to be present with war and its realities. In the  Minneapolis exhibit, Navigating the Aftermath, Iraqi and American artists (including veterans of the Iraq War) explore the effects of the ongoing Iraq War on our two countries. Artists look at the war and its effects through the lens of their personal experiences. In their individual works and in their dialogue, artists interface with the tragedy of the ongoing war and look at how both countries might start to move forward toward a more peaceful future.

The show’s curator, Tricia Khutoretsky, says, “From the American perspective, the artists are veterans, friends and family of soldiers, or those closely tied to the war through activism. As the artists’ battle with ignored and misunderstood experiences, with sharing them to try to make sense of them, their voices speak of lives changed and lives taken in a place called Iraq. Joining the American artists are not only artists living in Iraq, but Iraqi-Americans who have left the place they once called home. The artists represent the voice of a contemporary and modern Iraq, hopeful and invested in the future of their country. They confront their losses and the path ahead searching for meaning and a new understanding of the identity of an Iraqi and the identity of his or her country, whether viewed from afar or from within.”

Because the legacy of war defies quick fixes, we are taking Navigating the Aftermath on tour to six towns in Minnesota in the summer of 2011. We are also planning to build an online English/Arabic gallery and hope to eventually tour the exhibit around the U.S. and Iraq. We currently have a Kickstarter campaign to raise $5000 by this Friday, March 4 to support the touring of the exhibit. Please consider making a pledge here: http://kck.st/h1skL9

Photo by Alex Potter

Another artist from Navigating the Aftermath writes that her work in the exhibit intends “to visually return the war to the forefront – to portray a communal sense of loss, ambiguity, and sorrow.” As Americans, we will be unable to “turn the page” on the Iraq War until we begin to live honestly with that loss and sorrow, partner with Iraqis to repair our relationships, and reform—with a resolve born of war’s human tragedy—the cultural and political systems that enabled the Iraq War.

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In light of Egypt’s mostly nonviolent revolution, Iraq presents a sobering reality. Where does Iraq stand today, after nearly 8 years of a United States-led war justified, in part, by claims of “bringing democracy to the Middle East”?

Jamal Penjweny, "Iraq is Flying" series

While some had hoped prior to the 2003 American invasion that Iraq would become a model of democracy in the Middle East, the war has left a country defined by devastation rather than democracy. A look at the recent histories of Iraq and Egypt is illuminating.

In Iraq, the 24-year rule of a dictator was brought to an abrupt end in 2003 when the U.S. invaded. Shortly thereafter, a new constitution and national elections signaled a more open political future for Iraq. But death, destruction, massive displacement, lack of access to basic needs such as clean water and electricity, the ongoing U.S. presence, political deadlock, and the persistent lack of security have left Iraq’s future deeply uncertain. Democracy in Iraq is tenuous and overshadowed by the devastation of war.

In Egypt, the 30-year rule of a dictator was brought to an abrupt end in 2011 when a massive, popular revolution forced him out. This was a popular revolution driven by Egyptian nonviolence, not American violence. It was contagious, growing into a massive movement able to topple an entrenched, U.S.-backed leader wielding a powerful security sector. The revolution has shaken every theory of democratization and political reform in the Middle East. While Egypt’s future is also highly uncertain, it is filled with optimism and hope for a better life. The people, not an outside power, have brought democracy.

The ongoing war in Iraq has killed over 4,400 Americans and divided our nation. Needless to say, it has devastated Iraq beyond our imagining, with over 100,000 dead. Before the revolution in Egypt, Americans could perhaps believe that the American invasion had, in some twisted way, led to the possibility of democracy in Iraq. After the revolution in Egypt, everything has changed. In Iraq, American military intervention led to devastation; in Egypt, the people nonviolently put their country on the road to democracy. Egypt’s revolution is a defeat for America’s project of democratization, but it is a victory for democracy.

On March 4, a panel discussion at the University of Minnesota will explore the effects of the ongoing war in Iraq. The discussion will be part of an art exhibit, Navigating the Aftermath, which will bring together Iraqi and American artists. There will be a palpable sense of irony in the exhibit and discussion being held at this moment, when Egypt, not Iraq, is filled with exuberance and optimism for its future. Egypt reinforces, in an incredibly powerful way, that “war is not the answer.” Nonviolence is. Let’s hope we Americans can learn a little from the Egyptians.

IARP and our partner the Muslim Peacemaker Teams would like to say a special thanks to Winkley Orthotics and Prosthetics and the Courage Center. Winkley crafted, fitted, and adjusted prostheses and provided physical therapy for Ekhlas while she was in Minneapolis, free of charge. The Courage Center also donated physical therapy and use of their exercise equipment. Without these donations, Ekhlas’ trip would not have been possible.

Six years ago, an errant US missile in Najaf, Iraq left Ekhlas immobile. She lost her left leg from above the knee and most of her right foot. In September, IARP, MPT and generous supporters brought Ekhlas to Minnesota to receive new prostheses and physical therapy, donated by Winkley and the Courage Center. Though her wounds will never disappear, Ekhlas is on her way back to Iraq with new abilities and confidence to pursue her dream of teaching in Iraq’s public schools.

IARP and MPT would also like to thank the many donors and volunteers who made Ekhlas’ trip possible, especially Anne Nettles, Al Nettles, Susan Scherber, Anne Dykstra, Chris and Jeannette Lutter-Gardella, Steve and Christine Clemens, Zuhair Sharba and the Najaf Chamber of Commerce, Marie and John Braun, Evelyn Daugherty, Alex Potter, Paul Perkal, Judy Reinehr, and many other generous donors in Iraq and the US.

Below are a few photos of Mustafa, 9. Due to war, instability, and chaos, Mustafa was exposed to High Pressure Electricity Current that passes over his home on Nov. 11th, 2009 in Najaf. The accident caused him the loss of his right leg (under knee) and two toes of his left foot.

Mustafa is in Minneapolis for medical treatment, thanks to St. Joan of Arc Church, Shriner’s Hospital, the Muslim Peacemaker Teams, IARP, and other generous donors.

In Minneapolis:

Check out the Veterans Book Project, a library of books authored collaboratively by artist Monica Haller and dozens of people who have been affected by, and have archives of, the current American wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In their printed format, the books provide a place or “container” that slows down and materializes the great quantity of ephemeral image files that live on veterans’ hard drives and in their heads.

Each book re-deploys volatile images with the aim of rearticulating and refashioning memories. It stands both independent of and in concert with the larger collection.

You can support the Veterans Book Project here.