Saturday, March 16, 2024

From the River to the Sea

    When it comes to topics of the current state of politics or world problems, I don't like to involve myself in any discussion relating to it. I usually don't feel knowledgeable enough to be speaking on them and don't feel it's relevant to what I tend to go online to talk about. However, with what's been going on, I figured I can't be quiet and should break out of this habit temporarily.

    Around early November, I started noticing tweets on my timeline about an ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel. I starting hearing about it in school, as a classmate brought it up during a history discussion and outgoing boys in my Arabic class jokingly (I assume) said "pray for Israel!" As the situation seemed to escalate over time (as I would hear about it more online), I started getting a better understanding of the situation, but stuck with the mindset of "I don't need to involve myself in these things, I'll just stay quiet and have in mind the idea that it's a concerning situation that needs to be stopped." as I avoided paying too much attention to tweets concerning the matter.

    However, I started contemplating this mindset of mine as it started making its way into things I had given a care about. Twitter mutuals of mine started becoming vocal on the situation, viral tweets encouraged viewers to contribute to Palestinean relief websites in the replies, and most significantly to me, Redveil had called for a ceasefire during his set in Camp Flog Gnaw 2023, as a long list of children killed in the conflict scrolled behind him. From this point forward, I realized I shouldn't be dismissive towards this situation anymore. Today, I figured I should finally try speaking up for it.

    What I've come to realize is that this situation, for the most part, is a genocide on the people of Palestine. Every day, more and more innocent (as far as I'm concerned) people of Palestine are being killed, and it's likely growing as I'm typing this up. Through Twitter, I've seen posts showing Palestinian kids being happy with their lives in one image and then as lifeless bodies, footage of a few men getting a motorcycle to run as they intend to escape this terror before getting hit with a nuke, children of Palestine forming small protests and expressing their desire to live, pictures of an entire bloodline of people now completely wiped out, a man rushing through a hospital with his severely injured child in hand just for doctors to realize it's too late to save them by the time they get to start assessing them, and so much more. Even a few weeks ago, we saw the self-immolation of Aaron Bushnell in front of the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C. in protest against American support for Israel during this situation. It comes to show how detrimental of an effect this situation is having on not just the people oppressed by Israel, but also people outside who can't help but sympathize.

    What disgusts me even more is realizing this isn't the first time conflicts between the nations occurred. They've been going on countless times, stretching as far back as the 1940s. The people of Gaza have suffered under Israel's attacks for so long now that it needs to end. In a time where the internet allows people from all over to communicate and spread information, it's about time we should try to collectively influence an end to it all.

    I've seen tons of ignorant people say something along the lines of "if I'm not part of the problem, why should I be playing a part in it?" which disgusts me, as it only comes to show how much decency some lack to understand and sympathize with people whose lives are just as valuable with theirs. And it appears that our government (referring to that of the United States, to those of you reading outside of there) hasn't done much to try to help. Even outside of the major powers, we have tons of companies and corporations supporting Israel, meaning that money spent on their products partially supports an ongoing genocide.

    I'm lucky enough to be raised in America to Filipino parents with a decent income to support themselves, my older sister, and I. Sometimes I don't feel thankful for all that I've been given, and at times I don't feel like I want what I've been given anymore, especially seeing less unfortunate people younger than me suffer. That becomes especially the case with Palestine's ongoing crisis. I obviously haven't experienced it myself, but what I do have is understanding. Understanding of how terrible things are for the people of Palestine, especially towards those younger than me. Unfortunately, there's many who lack that, and it sickens me to know that.

    Provided are several online resources to show support. I highly encourage you all to look into these and follow along with what they provide, as showing your support alongside a growing number of people will show just how much this situation means to people in and out of Palestine.

Daily Click-To-Help website in favor of Palestinians.

Several provided actions to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.

List of Zionist companies and corporations to boycott.

App for scanning product barcodes to shop ethically and know what to boycott.

    As we hear more about the deaths and casualties caused by Israeli forces evert day, we need to remind ourselves that these are more than just numbers. They represent real people, just like us, who've done nothing wrong. They want life, but their oppressors want genocide.

    This took weeks to write, and I've tried to find the right time to finish and post it. I've wanted it done as early as possible to show my support before more destruction happens, but unfortunately I've had to keep holding it back. Anyways, the reason why I've written this blog post is because I care and feel as if I need to influence others to do the same, no matter how little impact I end up having. I may not have the biggest platform to influence change in our world, but I figured it's better to try to show support than to opt out of it. Enough damage has already been done, the people of Palestine are traumatized by the life they hold with their hands every day, and so the best we could do is try to show our support for them. None of these people deserve to suffer like this. We must hold our hopes that this chaos ends, and peace upon Palestine is returned. From the river to the sea.

- Anthony “Salteh” S. • • •

From the River to the Sea

    When it comes to topics of the current state of politics or world problems, I don't like to involve myself in any discussion relatin...