Painful Silence // Fear of Speaking
We often find refuge in the absolute, in clear dichotomies that keep our thoughts neatly packaged. It is, however, in the murky waters of nuance where truth often resides.
Like so many, waking up to the news on Saturday was a gut punch. My first instinct was to reach out to people with families in Israel. The crushing news of loved ones missing, kidnapped. Reflief for ones who had gotten a hold of theirs.
Nothing justifies Saturday's massacre. Horrific, heartbreaking, cruel.
Just as nothing justifies what is happening now to 2 million people living under a siege. We are watching a genocide underway.
The old law of an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind. Coretta King Scotta
I see so many people I care about living in the dichotomy.
I see colleagues reach for empathy and a desire to have their pain acknowledged, feeling betrayed by the silence.
I see others who are terrified of saying anything (that oh-so-familiar fear).
The past 75 years have witnessed moments of hope intermingled with profound despair. It's a chronicle of intifadas and peace accords, of walls built and bridges burned. This saga has become a rallying point for varied agendas, from staunch defenders of Israeli policies to advocates for Palestinian rights, often forgetting the human lives caught in the crossfire.
Is it possible that supporting Palestinian rights does not equate to anti-Semitism, just as a critique of Israeli policy does not negate Israel's right to exist?
In the hearts of both Israelis and Palestinians, beats the same human desire for safety, dignity, and a better future for their children.
I will take your design concepts and turn them into reality
1 年Palestinians just deserve better, period.
Thank you. As one who was born beneath the underdog as Mingus said, I can't be silent. I fear the genocide of Palestinians as they face the war crime of collective punishment. I grieve for all the losses. I look to the voices of anti Zionist Jewish activists, as well as the voices of many all around the world who are crying out for peace and justice. As retaliations are meted out for speaking!, I witness this. I may well have to pay a price myself. Yet I have my one life and my one soul, and when I die I will have to answer for what I have done and not done. I stand against Nazis and antisemites and I stand against genocide of the Palestinian people. They are not animals. They are human beings as we all are and no life is worth more or less than another. I note that words against Nazis & white supremacists in the US haven't had the same venom as words against brown Palestinians. Your words and your wisdom are appreciated.
This meme is fence riding. Yes Hamas are terrorists and the killing of innocents is wrong, but to say Palestine and Israel need better leaders is wrong. This is an occupation and systemic damage against one people.
Creative, optimistic, results-oriented leader.
1 年Yes, absolutely Aparea. My heart is breaking. My sister leads an incredible organization callled Jewish Voice for Peace. They make it really easy to share your perspective - whatever it might be with your senator and congresswomen. You enter your details and it connects you - and you either leave a voicemail or a message. I called this morning and plan to every day. It felt so good to take action. https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/resource/urgent-tell-congress-to-stop-fueling-violence/#!
Director of Experience Management, Sunrise Senior Living
1 年Yes to all of this! I can feel sorrow for my Jewish family members while also praying for Palestinians' safety. These are not mutually exclusive. They both can exist. Thank you for raising awareness because I have absolutely seen extremely polarized (and frankly uneducated) opinions being shared about these travesties.