If I learned anything from the Black Lives Matter movement in the summer of 2020, it is that you cannot rely on people to speak up on matters of injustice and inequality. No matter how close you may have been, no matter how “good” they may be, as friends or humans, not everyone has the capacity to speak up about situations that do not affect them directly.
And so, in October 2023, I was heartwarmingly, pleasantly surprised to see so many friends, colleagues, former schoolmates, and acquaintances speaking up for the people of Palestine. Very few of them had direct, personal connections, although some do, the majority did not. They were simply human. Feeling the pain of our shared humanity.
I am repeatedly reminded of the the famous Aboriginal quote:
‘If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together’.
Aboriginal activists group Queensland, 1970s (Often credited to Dr. Lilla Watson, a Gangulu woman, she prefers the collective credit be shared – read more here: https://uniting.church/lilla-watson-let-us-work-together/)
In contrast with the performative Black Square Summer of 2020, I am seeing more and more people connecting with the humanity of the Palestinian people, and the inhumanity of their occupation and oppression by the Israeli government. And, consequently, connecting with the tragic situations in Sudan, the Congo, and many other colonised areas of conflict around the world.
Freedom is contagious.
Decolonisation is coming.
It is already happening.
We may feel overwhelmed and disheartened by the actions of the U.S, Canadian and U.K. governments, disappointed and frustrated by the EU, and simply heartbroken by the callous, inhumanity shown by the Israeli Defence Forces.
But change is happening.
“We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.”
–Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution.” Speech given at the National Cathedral, March 31, 1968.
The protests and pressure on politicians is having an impact. At the very least, it is showing us that we are not alone. That we are all human. We share our common humanity.
The Palestinian people have set us free.
Free from the myth of Western democracy.
Free from the one-sided media representation.
Free from the fear of a “complicated” situation.
It is not complicated.
It is simple.
#CeasefireNow
Practical actions you can take for Palestine:
- Sign this petition by Amnesty International demanding a ceasefire: link to Amnesty International petition
- Donate to humanitarian efforts – there are many options available but Medical Aid for Palestine is direct and on the ground: https://www.map.org.uk/donate
- Attend events, rallies or peaceful protests in Ireland: link to Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, or the UK: https://palestinecampaign.org/
- Contact your local elected representatives asking them to take action on your behalf – there are various templates available online – this is one example: link to Trocaire template, or the Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign often share targeted examples: https://www.instagram.com/corkpalestinesolidarity/
- Learn more about BDS – Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) is a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality. BDS upholds the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity. link to Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions movement.
Even if you feel you cannot write something yourself, you can like/share/amplify any content you see on social media – let us share our networks so it can reach the widest audience possible. That is literally the least we can do.
Siobhán Kangataran 