In another diary, a commenter expressed frustration that a conversation about the racism and tyrannical force being displayed in Ferguson prompted someone to bring up the Palestinians. The complaint was along the lines of "can we please just focus?"
I responded that many of my friends who are not White are quick to make the connection between what they experience here and what is happening in Gaza. Many of us see the linkage. Focusing actually means getting everybody to see the linkage.
The people in Ferguson get it:
Richard Potter @RichardSP86
Did everyone else catch when protesters chanted "From St Louis to #Gaza end the occupation" because that was some powerful shit. #Ferguson
When it comes to the growing divide between those who win in a capitalist world and those who lose, we're all Gazans.
Apparently, the Palestinians get it, too.
"RT @TallyAnnaE: People in #Gaza are tweeting information on how to handle tear gas to the citizens of #Ferguson."
If this is true, it reminds of when Occupy Wall Street began and beleaguered Syrians sent a photo of a handwritten sign which said, "We are the 99."
In the privileged world, we want to compartmentalize. It is less overwhelming and more manageable to think of each instance of injustice as it's own issue to be addressed. So often, when I try to link topics such as Palestine and Ferguson, I see rolled eyes. There is the message of "here she goes again" in the expression. A desire to remain in the sheltered worldview of "that doesn't happen here" or "it could never happen to me" or "it's just an isolated incident."
But, it's all connected. Everything is connected. Unwillingness to see those connections makes us complicit in the oppression being perpetrated.
It's really clear to those whose communities have paid the price for the capitalist "successes" of others. We need to see it, too. We all need to stand in solidarity.
We are all fodder for the militarized forces who will protect the domination of the wealthy. If you've escaped violence from the state, it's only because you're either in the wealthy elite, or you're in the puppet class whom they let stand as a false symbol of the promise of capitalism. As soon you stand in solidarity with those who are constantly under the thumb of oppression, you will be just so much fodder, too.
We are all Gazans. We are all Mike Brown. We are all workers in Bangladesh.
Thu Aug 14, 2014 at 9:58 AM PT: What the hell, folks?
I don't equate Israel with Jews. Israel is a state, whose mission is controlled by a particular subset of people. In fact, it seems anti-semitic to color all Jews with the sins of Israel.
It is also Islamophobic to equate all Gazans with Hamas.
Don't even bother trying these false equivalencies. You only make yourself look manipulative.
Worldwide, it's now recognized that Gaza is an open air prison and that collective punishment is being meted out. The way they are being treated is similar to the way Native Americans have been/are treated in the US. They have become another arm in the oppressive body of capitalist imperialism.
Whatever the history, right now, Israel has all the power. This makes them more accountable for the level of violence that ensues. We can relate to the average citizen in Gaza without relating to Hamas. We can criticize Israel without having animosity towards Jews.