Tanya Keilani is always spot on:
“It's great that Peter Beinart now publicly declares he believes in equality rather than supremacy, and in a one-state solution. His views have evolved dramatically over the years, and that's noteworthy and positive. But I do have some thoughts to share:
Palestinians have been making some of these arguments for decades. We are most impacted and understand this issue most intimately. Now, look up the number of op-eds written by Palestinians vs Jewish Americans/Israelis on this issue published by mainstream outlets. It's absurd. Does this need to be written by non-Palestinians in order for people to believe it? Aren't we the experts on our own experience? Aren't people supposed to listen to and center those closest to the pain?
This op-ed mostly centers Jewish lives and perspectives. Which makes sense, because Peter is Jewish and wants to bring his community along as he evolves. I appreciate that and that is work that needs to be done. But if Peter and others want to be allies (bc let's be clear: Palestinians are the oppressed community in this context), this is some of what I recommend:
-Center Palestinians. Don't make it all about you because the problem is that it already is all about you.
-Teach your community about the Nakba, in detail.
-Talk about & support the Right of Return. Don't be vague about this. I can't underscore enough how important this is.
-Equality is good but understand Palestinians are indigenous to this land and have been ripped away from it/their families and we need to address and repair the trauma and suffering that has caused. Reparations are a thing.
-Encourage mainstream outlets to publish more Palestinian perspectives
-Don't wait decades to believe us. The longer people wait to do the right thing, the more are killed. Trust us and our leadership. The movement for freedom will go on without you, but better you catch up now than later.
-If you're worried about how *your* community will respond to your progress, then lovingly expect better of them. Make that the norm. From Adrienne Maree Brown: "Trust the people. (If you trust the people, they become trustworthy." Trust your community to do better, it can do better. Or enough of them can, at least. This is work all communities/people need to do in general, and the bar will be raised for all.
*Note, all the above is not about Peter but allyship in general. Using this op-ed to highlight these ever-relevant points. And please don't @ me with "but this is huge progress!" I know. I do this work every day. Making other points here so we can keep making progress. Onward.” ... See MoreSee Less
www.nytimes.com
For decades I argued for separation between Israelis and Palestinians. Now, I can imagine a Jewish home in an equal state. Justice for Black Women Rally in Spring Valley, Manhattan and Staten Island this Friday, July 3rd at 11 am. It is hosted by the Justice for Women Task Force to honor the lives of women who have died from police and prison violence. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nri6-9r2Q3OfhFEUUCFNhw
One of the women honored is Tina Davis, who was tazed to death by police in January in Spring Valley, NY in Rockland County. Her family asks people to attend one of the three rallies with signs that say "Tina Davis". ... See MoreSee Less
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Here is the recording of an important webinar with South Dakota State Senator Red Dawn Foster on the work of Return to the Heart Foundation, an Indigenous-led grantmaking organization that empowers women-led initiatives throughout Indian Country. For Native Americans, Covid-19 has hit hard, from the growing number of infections in Navaho and Hopi Nations to the racism that the Lakota continue to face in protecting their borders. South Dakota State Senator Red Dawn goes into detail about how Native nations are staying resilient and how mutual aid can support their efforts. ... See MoreSee Less
Video
Native Resilience in the Age of Covid-19:
Mutual aid support with Indigenous Peoples
Wednesday, June 24
7:00 – 8:00 pm via Zoom us02web.zoom.us/j/87362624991
For Native Americans, Covid-19 has hit hard, from the growing number of infections in Navaho and Hopi Nations to the racism that the Lakota continue to face in protecting their borders. How are Native nations staying resilient? How can mutual aid support their efforts?
Join us for an important webinar with Red Dawn Foster on the work of Return to the Heart Foundation, an Indigenous-led grantmaking organization that empowers women-led initiatives throughout Indian Country.
Areas of focus include:
· ensuring the availability of urgent emergency supplies to fight the pandemic,
· initiating restorative and regenerative farming to provide healthy foods and medicine,
· supporting traditional healers for mental, spiritual and cultural information access.
Red Dawn Foster is currently the South Dakota State Senator with over ten years of experience working with Tribal communities in economic development fields. She is COO and co-founder of Return to the Heart Foundation. ... See MoreSee Less
us02web.zoom.us
Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom ... 
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Posted in Blogs, Communities & Focus Areas, Director's Blog, Frontpage, Movement Building
