Hostelling International NYC Opens Doors for Week of Peace
September 21 – 28, 2017
Hostel’s Annual Sleep for Peace Events Highlight Tolerance, Reflection, and Discussion
A Blue Beacon of Peace Will Illuminate New York Skyline
NEW YORK, NY, September 11, 2017 – What if just by choosing the right place to sleep you could help build a more tolerant world? Each year, Hostelling International NYC (HI NYC) brings together more than 200,000 travelers from over 88 countries in conversation and friendship, which often provides new perspectives on global issues and world cultures, an outcome that’s critically important with current world issues. Hostelling International USA (HI USA)’s Sleep For Peace is an annual celebration of how HI USA hostels bring people together to create a more peaceful world, every day. Beginning on the United Nation’s International Day of Peace on September 21st, and finishing on September 28th, HI NYC is joining HI hostels around the US and the world to offer peaceful programming for hostel guests and the community to foster discussion and reflection to help create a more tolerant world. Throughout the week, HI NYC will shine Blue Beacons for Peace on the exteriors and grounds of the hostel at Amsterdam and 103rd Street, lighting the New York skyline.
The week-long schedule of free community programming includes:
- Upper West Side Peace Walkwith local historian Jim Mackin – Visit Upper West Side historic locations of peace movements both local and global; Thursday, September 21, open to all.
- Potluck Lunch –Hosted by NYC locals, hostellers and neighbors will share a meal and conversation; Friday, September 22, open to all with RSVP to[email protected].
- Two Koreas– Hosted by visitors from North and South Korea, this program will explore the ideas of unity and division. The Korean hosts will teach attendees how to make bibimbap and discuss its cultural relevance. Following this there will be a facilitated dialogue, talking about culture, politics, unity, and disunity. Takes place Saturday, September 23; all are welcome to attend with RSVP to[email protected]
- Peace Meditation: Hostellers and local New Yorkers are invited to rest their minds with reflection for more peaceful times guided by a trained meditation specialist. Takes place Sunday, September 24; open to all, sign up required beforehand at [email protected].
- Screening of Neshoba– In 1964, a mob of Klansmen murdered three civil rights workers in the small Mississippi county of Neshoba – the infamous “Mississippi Burning” murders. The young men, two Jews from New York and an African-American from Mississippi, were in the Deep South helping to register African-American voters during what came to be known as the Freedom Summer. Although the killers bragged about what they did, it took the state 40 years to indict the mastermind, Edgar Ray Killen, an 80-year-old Baptist preacher and notorious racist. Neshoba tells the story of these three American heroes and the long struggle to bring their killers to justice, in a place that is still dealing with the legacy of a violent and racist past. The documentary, which came out in 2010, is the winner of 16 Festival Awards Worldwide. This event is co-sponsored by the Harlem Cultural Collaborative/Harlem One Stop. Facilitated dialogue with an illustrious panel of anti-racist activists to follow screening; Monday, September 25; free and open to all.
- NYPL Screening: No Vietnamese ever called me nigger, release in 1968, this 68 minute documentary focuses on the black ex-G.Is who discuss their experiences in Vietnam, racism in the armed forces and their dissatisfaction with life in the U. S. upon their return. Intercut with scenes of anti-war protest demonstrations in New York City and the 1967 Harlem Fall Mobilization March.Screening takes place at the NY Public Library branch on 82nd Street and Amsterdam; Tuesday, September 26, free and open to all.
- Peace of Poetry– Open mic night for poetry & performances relating to peace & justice. Wednesday, September 27; free and open to all.
- Wrestling Jerusalem (film screening + conversation with director) – The finale to HI NYC’s Sleep for Peace presents director Ethan Kussman, who will screen and lead a discussion about his film, which has its New York premiere on September 12. According to Kussman, Wrestling Jerusalem “is a work of art. It makes no sweeping generalizations and offers no easy answers. Rather, it aspires to serve as an experience that, combined with discussion, will address issues facing all communities about Israel and Palestine and the broader concerns of our polarized world and encourage viewers to make space for multiple perspectives, competing narratives, and have empathy for the ‘other.’” Thursday, September 28; free and open to all with RSVP to[email protected]
- Harlem Artists on Display– The Harlem Cultural Collaborative will host a photography exhibit of Harlem artists in HI NYC’s New York Room from Sept 21-28.
HI USA will also host a Peace Maker Mixer at the start of Sleep for Peace, inviting those actively engaged in peace and justice work to participate. Takes place September 21 from 5-8pm. To attend, contact [email protected].
“In such a turbulent time, we feel that this year’s Sleep for Peace events take on even greater meaning,” said Emily Gallagher, HI NYC Community Relations Manager. “We are inviting the community in for an open dialogue to discuss how it feels to live in various worlds. These discussions aren’t about what side you’re on, but how you emotionally navigate the world today and how we can make friendships and cross cultures in these challenging times.”
In addition to the special programming, HI NYC will also light the New York skyline with blue beacons of peace each night during Sleep for Peace.
