In a TV interview after the LA riots in May 1992, Rodney King wailed to the public, “Can we all get along?” I am reminded of this almost 18 years later while inside a museum auditorium in Spain, watching a documentary about the history of Toledo. It recounts how Toledo rose to prominence in the midst of a blossoming convenvicia between the Muslims, Christians and Jews while under the rule of the Caliphate of Córdoba. But that’s not to say this co-existence didn’t falter often. Since the days of the Bronze Age, Toledo’s political climate had been no more immune to the power struggles over its control than any other rich piece of real estate. Centuries of wars later, Toledo is lucky to have preserved its multi-cultural, -architectural, and -philosophical legacy. Today it is facing a struggle of another kind (economic) and its immunity is no stronger now, but if I were a betting person, I’d say Toledo will find its golden age once more. A place this special must survive.
But enough yapping from me; let me just show you what a city looks like when three very different religions can come together and share their very best with each other. It’s a win-win-win situation all around…
In short, no matter what ideology is behind this door,
this door,
or this one,
it’s only the human experience once I enter that should matter…
Magic happens when we all get along.
What do you say–may I try your patience for just one more entry about Toledo tomorrow? I promise you the pictures will be worth it.
Thank you for this entry of “convenvicia”. I just became acquainted with the word by reading, “People of the book” by Geraldine Brooks…. a most researched, profound historical novel of a Hebrew illuminated haggadah’s travels from 1492 to the present…. A must read!