John Filson

Curiosity and empathy

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

Best weekend outing in Jacksonville, FL if you like happy people, learning new things and supporting hard working folks. Next bus blitz is Nov 29: https://t.co/f8nrCTu5jD

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

Best weekend outing in Jacksonville, FL is the Buy Black Bus Blitz. Learn about historic Black neighborhoods and support Black businesses and their families. And meet a bus load of new friends. Info at https://t.co/f8nrCTu5jD

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

Iraqi dolma is always a crowd-pleaser. Grape leaves or chard, also veggies, stuffed with rice, meat and spices, and slow-cooked with lamb, Lima beans and a hundred tasty variations. I’ve never met someone who didn’t love dolma. Get you some Iraqi friends! (They made this for me).

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

When someone finally sees you working so hard and they give you a boost. See John and hist students play live Sept 26 at The Jessie in Jacksonville. Tkts: https://t.co/or6XrNBv1i

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

#harlem wouldn’t be what it is today without some of its roots in #jacksonville FL. Jax was a famous hub for Black culture, music and business but families fled Jim Crow and settled in Harlem. My friend John is bringing jazz back to Jax.

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

Arabic sounds are just unfamilar, not difficult. Once you start learning the language it unlocks a whole world of Arabic culture and ways of seeing the world that are so transformative.

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

Dear Black and other friends: Please pardon our mess. We are under renovation.

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

Try this on an Arabic speaker after a haircut. Pronounce it like this with the accent on the middle syllable: [nie-3EE-mon]. The 3 is the letter ع which doesn’t exist in English. It’s a quick throat constriction in the middle of a vowel. Say “ahhh” and then say it like Arnold.

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

Everyone says their dialect of spoken Arabic is the best one. “Closest to real Arabic,” they say. I’m a fan of Iraqi because I love Iraqis. But there are also many unique sounds that are not actually in the Arabic alphabet. And lots of fun slang.

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

Language nerds unite ✊ Don’t be scared by Arabic writing or pronunciation. After they become familiar you don’t even think about them. The real journey is unlocking friendships and unique perspectives on life through the words Arabic speakers use to describe the world.

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

Imagine not feeling frustrated by someone you disagree with. You no longer avoid conflict at work or with “that” friend. Imagine someone actually listening and considering your point of view. You can flex this superpower with a little practice. #conflict #politics #polarization

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

What happened in your neighborhood in the past? Florida has over 1,000 historical markers that can help you see your home with new eyes. Find all of them on this map: https://t.co/iAfr26zYrg

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

If you love exploring and learning as a respectful visitor, you must attend a pow-wow in your area. Such incredible traditions and wisdom and forms of expression. And to see American history from a very different vantage point.

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

Pacha is delicious but don’t watch them prepare it. #iraq #food #cuisine #foodie #travel

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

If you have friends who treat you like this, hold onto them. #iraq #hospitality #friendship

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

If you’ve never had Iraqi dolma with warm bread fresh from the stone oven, put it on your list. (And for some reason, if it holds together when you lift the pot, they say it’s a boy, and if it falls apart it’s a girl. Anyone know why? #food #cuisine #middleeastern #iraq

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

Hang out with Iraqis and you’ll never need to search for a tissue. They put them literally everywhere you might need one…except one place.

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

Empathy belongs in our decision-making. Whatever our view, before we justify harm to others, or say it’s so-and-so’s fault and not ours, we have to put ourselves in the shoes of the ones who suffer most. We may find wisdom that sharpens our view of the situation. #empathy

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

Arabic is so poetic when you know what they’re actually saying. Here’s the literal English translation of a typical convo in Iraq, along with the Arabic words. #iraq #arabic #arab

[John Filson @filsonpeace]

Iraqi goodbyes never end. Same in many cultures. Is your family like this? They’ll just keep going until someone finally hangs up! ❤️