if I must die you must live to tell my story

When did we begin to accept war? Understanding it as a justified means to an end. When did we agree that the innocent blood of children, woman and men were the price of greed, western imperialism and power.

The genocide in Gaza has been on the forefront of my mind since oct 6th. Everyday as I read new statistics and observe the obscene monstrosities taking place my hope and faith continue to deplete. I hear time and time again that it is up to my generation to fix the wrongs of our forefathers but lately its’ seeming impossible to reverse.

Especially when we live in a world that refuses to see the truth. In many of my lectures my professors try to dance around the truth of the massacre happening in Gaza by using phrases like “the conflict in Palestine.” Believing there passive language will skirt controversy they sit and tell us the situation is complicated lacking zero backbone to stand for what is fair and right in this world. Little do they know there words do not protect them. Instead it stands as a reminder of why we must continue to speak up about what is happening. I read a newsletter recently written by Neema Githere Siphone. She wrote about a conversation she had with her friend from Nairobi about the difference between the American/Northern approach to solidarity to that of the Global South. Neema opened my eyes and reminded me further what it means for those who choose to stay silent. Speech which is “protected” in America is a privilege that not all humans share. Speaking up against oppression in some places may be the difference of acquiring a visa and/or paying your rent.

The last 6 weeks have been a lot of clocking how even the tenor of American outcry is a reflection of the privileges afforded to us. A lot of clocking how my own urgency and expectation overlooks the gravity of the infinite precarities that are always unfolding for people not shielded by American passports and American dollars.

These words served as a remainder that those who stay silent truly will not know or be apart of a word that sees peace. There complacency does nothing but point to a bigger problem plaguing this society. Many may think using such charged language may be too much or is futile but when all is said and done all we will have is our words. When the destruction ceases and reveals the decimated cities and homes all that will remain is the story of Gaza and what it used to be. When I speak of what is happening in Gaza I will only use words like genocide and massacre so those who read will understand the brevity and pain in which these words hold.

the pain and suffering of Palestinians equates to more than just “a conflict.” These words will serve as a reminder so the world will never forget how we let them down.

Usually I would try to end with a more optimistic ending but for now my hope/faith is reserved for just me because who knows where will all be when it is gone.