Announcement: Joe Carr's Midwest Speaking Tour in the USA in January-February 2005

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Details on Joe Carr's Speaking Events and Schedule

Dates I am available:

Kansas City and surrounding communities:
- January 17-January 29, 2005

The rest of the Midwest:
- January 30-Feburary 4, 2005
- February 7-February 15, 2005

Dates are quite flexible right now so contact me quickly if you have date issues.

I am not excited about flying places to speak this time around, so apologies to those of you on the Coasts. I am open to flying to conferences if necessary, be in touch if you’re interested. As I get gigs booked in various areas I will let those of you in that area know so that you can coordinate with each other and only need to go one direction at a time. The more engagements I can do on a trip the better! I’ll be doing this again this summer, say around June, and will want to go all over then, so coasters, think ahead.

Here are the presentations I can do:

Peace Activism in Palestine: Nonviolent Resistance to the Israeli Occupation
- Download a event flyer template for your event with Joe Carr (MS-Word format, 165 kb size)
- Presentation length: 45-60 minutes

This presentation is somewhat flexible. I basically discuss the situation in Palestine and what we as international peace activists try to do about it. I talk specifically about ISM and CPT, and how to support them. I prefer a projector to show pictures, but I can do without. I will inevitably mention Rachel, even if it’s just with the poem, and I will certainly talk about Tuwani and how it is a microcosm of the entire Palestine/Israel Conflict and of the larger tension between the East and the West. I will always include some of my art, music and poetry. And of course they won’t leave without hearing plenty about US policy, how it drives the conflict, and what they as caring people must do about it. Then questions, I love questions. Discussions are always nice too, best to happen following the presentation, after questions, with a smaller group of those who decide to stay.

Note: I can include elements of the conflict’s history into this presentation for those who know little to nothing about the conflict, especially if I have more time.

Christian Peacemaking in the Holy Land

This presentation is basically identical to the one above, however I will work in bits of scripture and talk about Christ’s emphasis on peace, love, social justice, and work against oppression. I’ll discuss how my Christian identity effects my work, and reflect on the religious charges of this conflict. This one is obviously designed for Christians.

Interactive History of the Palestine/Israel/U.S. Conflict
At least 1 hour, preferable 1 ½ to 2 hours.

This one is still in development but I think it will be cool. It will be a teach-in on the history of the conflict, but I will tell it using volunteers from the audience to represent various players, and I will move them around on a giant map on the floor. I will also incorporate other props, such as yarn stretched around groups to illustrate West Bank closures. It will be an upbeat, fun, and memorable way to learn the history. I need a room with an open space and somewhere between 20 and 50 people. A projector and screen would be nice but not essential.

The Gaza Prison Camp: How Israel’s “withdrawal” is far from statehood
45 min-1 hour

I will discuss what it’s like in the Gaza Strip and tell stories from my time in Rafah. I will talk about the falsehoods perpetuated by the media, and demonstrate how Sharon’s plan turns Gaza into a giant prison. I will also talk about the ongoing resistance to this raw deal, both violent and nonviolent, and include stories from my activities. I will tell about the murders of my friends and other internationals in Gaza, and the world’s reaction. I will outline the US’s role in conflict and in Gaza, and what Americans must do about it. This presentation is best suited for audiences already somewhat educated about the conflict. Must have time for questions and a discussion would be great. An LCD projector and screen is essential for maps, photos and diagrams.

Performance Art for Palestine: Poetry, music, and story telling inspired by occupation and resistance
This one’s focus will be entertainment, and it can be adjusted for time and content based on the audience. My poetry is primarily (but not exclusively) written in a Hip-Hop/slam poetry style created by African Americans. My music is rather folky, but I combine elements of hip hop and rock as well. The stories will be short, funny, and heartwarming, often applicable to one of the songs or poems. I may also include monologues written from the words of people I interviewed, during which I will become the person and tell the story in first person. Depending on the size of the crowd, I will likely need a PA system. I can plug-in my guitar, or put a mic near it. An LCD projector and screen would be nice, but not essential. I have a lot of material and can go for however long is suitable for the event. I am willing to do these for free if I can take donations and sell things at table in the venue.

Build-Your-Own Presentation
I am quite open to developing a presentation based on the needs of your community or group. We can talk at length about what they already know or need to know, and how would be best to reach them. Always feel free to ask.

Places that I could speak:

Churches: An obvious one, considering CPT’s Christian links, and how many conscientious people attend churches. CPT is based in the Mennonite, Quaker and Church of the Brethren, and is supported by a variety of catholic and protestant denominations. Also Unitarian and Unity Churches are known to be progressive. Start with your church, I want every one of you to ask your church if I can talk some evening or even some Sunday. For others, great if you find someone who attends the church to help set it up, but you can cold contact them and see if they’re interested. Secret tip, tell them I’m Christian!

University Campuses: Lots of open minded folks wondering around (and good candidates for ISM and CPT). To organize these, start with existing student groups, the more the better, they love cosponsoring things. Professors can help too, talk to middle-east studies or Islamic studies or history or just any cool progressive professor. I also like to talk to classes, always good to combine an on-campus talk with a few class visits.

Community Groups: So this one’s a little vague, just any group that meets regularly and might like to hear from me. I’ll happily cater my message to them, and could be very brief if they want to give me the second half of their weakly meeting or something. Think about groups you attend and see if they might be interested. If it’s an activist group, they can book space in some public area, like at a college or church, and just advertise the event in the community.

Coffee Houses and Bars: My performance art is good for these, assuming they cater to a semi progressive crowd. Though if I do say so myself, I think the performance would be at least somewhat entertaining to a mainstream crowed.

Mosques: Many Muslims feel very passionate about what is happening to the Palestinians. I have enjoyed presenting at Mosques in the past, and now given my religious connections more might be interested.

Synagogues: Hey it’s always worth a try. There are plenty of progressive Jews interested in varying perspectives on the conflict.

I will soon create advertising posters and flyers with pictures you can use to promote these events. So in some cases all you have to do is decide with me on a date, book a space, and then hang up the signs.

As far as money goes, the more you can get me the better, but NEVER let it be the only reason not to organize something. I don’t require honorariums, but I do like them, and all the money will go to CPT. If I have to travel for the event, I ask for you to cover my travel expenses and accommodations (I prefer activists’ couches). I ask that I be able to pass a hat at the end and collect donations at a table. I also like to sell things, like my CDs, information books, posters, and other cool stuff. ALL this money will go to CPT. I will stress that this is all quite negotiable; my primary interest is getting the word out.

Finally, here is my bio in case anyone asks, “who is this guy?” (I’m sure you all wonder yourself sometimes):

Biography
Joe Carr is a 23-year-old peace and anti-oppression activist from Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated with a BA from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington in 2004, having organized with direct-action movements such as Earth First, Food Not Bombs, and Arts in Activism. He spent January to April of 2003 coordinating for the International Solidarity Movement in Rafah, Palestine, and witnessed Israeli soldiers murder US peace activist Rachel Corrie, and British peace activist Tom Hurndall. He now works with the Christian Peacemaker Teams in Al Khalil (Hebron), Palestine and in the US Palestinian Rights Movement. He is a performance artist, poet, and musician and uses art to help Americans identify with the Palestinian plight.  

In peace and looking forward to your inquiries

-joe

Joe "Yousef" Carr
Al Khalil, Palestine
Christian Peacemaker Teams
816-805-7133
joecarr@riseup.net
www.cpt.org