The Reasonable Language of Food: Bourdainian

The reason "Parts Unknown: Jerusalem" resonated so deeply with so many Palestinians and so many Israelis is that the program's host, Anthony Bourdain, spoke Palestinian to Palestinians, without uttering one sentence in Arabic, and spoke Israeli to Israelis, without uttering one sentence in Hebrew.

He talked about a basic idea which everyone could understand and agree on: eat together, live together, with no hatred, no check points, no suicide bombings, no barbed wire, no violence, no walls, no ugly walls, no occupation, and no war.  He spoke in a language which both peoples could understand but it's not a language that either side has ever claimed as their own.

In honor of Mr. Bourdain, I will call this language Bourdainian, because it is distinctly his own.  It is the language of compromise around what we love and, obviously, need: food.  Not just any food but good, wholesome, and delicious food.  Indeed, it is food which is made with much thought, much care, and much attention to details.  It may be food with national identity, regional character, and ethnic heritage, but it can be enjoyed and cherished by all.

Unfortunately, Anthony's critics, the people who were so offended by his innate moxie and daring to mount the double-humped beast that's the Palestine-Israel dichotomy from a non-customary, humanist perspective, can or choose only to speak either Palestinian or Israeli.  To those I say re-educate yourselves-learn Bourdainian.

Dr. Azzam Elayan

September 24, 2013