A news agency is putting together a documentary about post-9/11 life in America and the impact that has been made on people and their thinking (shaping their understanding of the world).
After Sept. 11, 2001, the United States invaded both Iraq and Afghanistan and those wars continue. The news agency is hoping to interview an individual or family whose lives were upended by the wars.
Perhaps a son or daughter, a spouse or partner, a parent or uncle/aunt joined the military and was killed or injured in Afghanistan and Iraq, and as a result, the family became active in FOR and the peace and justice movement, may have traveled to Iraq or Afghanistan and intersected with individuals there whose lives have also been deeply affected by personal loss of a family member and change in a way of life.
FOR is interested in bringing forth stories of mutual understanding, personal connection, changed thinking the appropriateness of violence and an embrace of peace and reconciliation.
If this describes you or someone you know, please consider sending us the details as soon as possible by replying to this message.
FOR is not able to take responsibility for the news agency use of the materials. The agency appears to want to tell a story of the impact of war on everyday people on both sides of the war.
We see this is an opportunity to tell the story of human tragedy, the US involvement in these wars and its human cost, the futility of war and the necessity for different way of thinking about violence -- the need for people to lead their governments in finding nonviolent ways to settle conflict.
Please note, this information will be used at this point to help evaluate what names and contact should be forwarded by FOR to the agency. No one's name or contact will be sent by FOR to the agency without their permission. Similarly, FOR will not be releasing additional information about the agency. FOR will be willing to serve as a go-between for potential interviewees and the agency. We feel it is crucial to tell the story of changed thinking and commitment to peace.
Time is of the essence, although the agency is only in the planning stages and will probably not interview until a month from now. However, the window is open now and probably will not be once the documentary has been planned.
If you know of someone or a family, please feel free to contact them and check their interest. An email describing their background and experience (without names if they prefer at this point) should be sent to communications@forusa.org. A complete enough story is needed for us to go back to the news agency.
For peace, justice and nonviolence,
The Fellowship of Reconciliation