In Memorium

Today marks the 5 year anniversary of Rachel Corrie's death in Rafah, Palestine. Rachel Corrie, a 23 year old college student from Washington state, died while being a human shield, to prevent the destruction of a Palestinian home in Gaza. She was run over by a (U.S. supplied) bulldozer, used by the Israeli military as a weapon of war. The driver of the bulldozer claimed that he did not see her. Multiple witnesses said that Rachel was in plain view, standing atop a mound of dirt wearing a blaze orange vest, at eye level with the driver. A partial investigation by the Israeli government found Rachel to be at fault; a full investigation of her death was never conducted. Rachel Corrie is considered a martyr in Palestine.

On Friday night I went to see My Name Is Rachel Corrie, the play that was adapted from Rachel's writing. I had read the text of the play before, but hearing the words being spoken was a treat. Rachel Corrie was a gifted writer, often very funny. Her emails to her parents from Gaza, the last one just a day or two before she died, were achingly poignant.

The play lasted about 90 minutes, an enormous undertaking for the lone actress who played Rachel. Everyone involved with this production chose to remain anonymous, in order to keep the audience wholly focused on Rachel's message.

Incidentally, the play has been translated into Arabic and will be playing in numerous locations throughout Israel and Palestine this month. Rachel's parents traveled to Palestine for the premiere.

I am so glad that I was finally able to see it. I highly recommend reading it, and seeing it if it is produced in your area.

Finally!

The play My Name Is Rachel Corrie will be produced here this week and next. I highly, highly recommend that you read the play. It is entirely taken from Rachel's journals and emails, and is beautiful, haunting, and devastating. (If you're a fan of actor Alan Rickman, you should know that he is one of the writers/producers responsible for this play.)

Last year I read an article where the writer contrasted the production of My Name Is Rachel Corrie with The Diary of Anne Frank, which at this point generates very little controversy. (Rachel Corrie has been very controversial here in the U.S., because Rachel was highly critical of Israel's policies toward the Palestinian people. She was murdered/martyred in Gaza 5 years ago this month.) Interestingly enough, our local professional theater considered producing My Name Is Rachel Corrie this year, but opted instead for The Diary of Anne Frank, the safe choice. I was greatly disappointed in them.

I am very excited to see this produced. Rachel Corrie's parents will be here at the opening, and I plan to attend.