In the darkest moments of humanity – where it feels there is no hope for life, no hope for justice – sometimes the greatest gestures of humanity shine through the darkness.

A story of a gesture, a simple gesture of hope and of generosity that helps restore a faith in humanity and its qualities of survival. No matter how oppressed or alienated people are, they can still find in their heart to be generous to the one who wronged them.

It began as any other day in Occupied Palestine and Israel:

– A young Palestinian boy saying goodbye to his mother to play in the streets with his friends.

– A young Israeli waiting in the hospital for an organ transplant that would save his life.

These two seemingly unrelated situations produced a profound story of love and hope.

The news report of the boy, Ahmed’s, death was just like any other of an innocent Palestinian child being killed by Israeli soldiers conducting raids in Palestinian towns. The Israeli Army expressed their regret over his shooting.

Nothing else needs to be said about 12-year-old Ahmed’s death. He was accidentally killed, and then those responsible expressed their regret. The terrifyingly normal situation shook years of pain, oppression and death, and gave some hope.

Ahmed died in the hospital from his injuries. His family made the decision that from his innocent death, they wanted life and a message given to others. His organs were transplanted into five Israeli children and a 58-year old woman.

Ahmed’s father Ismail, going against the tenants of Islam, and donating his son’s organs for life, said saving lives was more important that the religion.

Ismail said, “I have taken this decision because I have a message for the world, that the Palestinian people want peace – for everyone.”

From death and darkness, oppression and hate, comes a message of peace, of hope. In a situation where there appeared to be no good to come of it, one family wanted to help turn the wheels of justice and begin the process of bridging Israelis and Palestinians together.

Stories like that help develop a sense of humanity, a hope for the future. In a time when the world feels more dangerous, where globalization has brought cultures crashing into one other, and years of oppression and discrimination are becoming evident, a story of hope and love only helps to further my belief in humanity.

We are one, indivisible human race. As such, we are on one planet together, no matter how much we fight and kill, we are in this together. The human race has faced terrible tragedies recently: – natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis. We survived two world wars and numerous other conflicts.

As one human race we have an obligation to respect each other, and create the unity that will carry our race on into the future.

We as Americans have much to be thankful. We were born into luxury; we have a country that runs fairly smoothly.

Although there is much to fix, and many solutions to agree on, we are very lucky to be here in the United States. We have many opportunities to take advantage of here; more than elsewhere in the world.

That being said, it is only fair and right that we criticize our government, and encourage fruitful discussion among differing vantage points. It is the only way we can encourage a healthy democracy in our own country.

Although sometimes it feels that nothing is going well, it is difficult for us privileged Americans to get too down on our selves. Through pain and struggle we discover our true moral fabric. Don’t wait for such a tragedy to show what your moral fiber.

Ahmed has been reduced to just a memory. He sacrificed much to make a point and have his voice heard. His father did what I am unsure I’d never have the strength to do: he gave away his own flesh and blood for the sake of life.

Ismail concluded his remarks by saying, “I feel that my son has entered the heart of every Israeli.” Ismail and Ahmed are true heroes, and we have much to learn from such a strong statement of strength, love and hope.

– Ramsey Tesdell is a senior in English from Slater.