Community session on z1onism and apartheid

June 27, 2024

Good morning. Preparation is key to having conversations about zionism, apartheid and Christian zionism!

LEARN. These are the resources that were shared during the community session today:

• The community agreements we used, based on the Broccoli Seed Agreement – Gesturing Towards Decolonial Futures, were:

  • The engagement with the work of the collective may not have any immediate practical application in my context and that is ok.

  • I do not have to agree with anything presented, but I am happy to see what happens.

  • I may feel uncomfortable, confused and frustrated through this process and I take responsibility for observing and learning from my conscious and unconscious responses/resistances/fragilities.

  • It is up to me to decide when to push myself further and when to stop and reflect/observe.

  • If I am harming anyone in this session, I expect them to speak up, and I expect the facilitator to step in; likewise, I can expect help if I feel I am being harmed.

• Watch this recording of a portion of the session, which includes: discussion of the physiology of the human fear response and why it’s important to name it and understand it in stressful situations; basic definitions of zionism, apartheid and Christian zionism [see this post for information on antisemitism]; and tips on how to stay calm and de-escalate conversations.

• As referenced in the recording from the session, this webpage from NDN Collection, provides an excellent contextual discussion of zionism and apartheid.

NOTICE. In what ways has your fear of talking about these hard topics, or your lack of historical context, kept you from engaging in conversations? How can knowledge about the way fear works help you the next time you’re in a conversation (live or in writing) with an intimidating person who wants to shut you down?

ACT. Do everything you can to support Palestinion children, including making a donation right now to the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF).

SHARE. Forward this to 2 people in your life who are tired of being bystanders and want to show up in support of Palestinians when the topic of genocide comes up.

ASK. What terminology or concepts do you want to learn more about in order to support Palestinians around the world? Please reply to this email (or, if you are reading this online, leave a comment below) to let us know.*

In solidarity for Palestinian liberation,

Kay Coughlin, on behalf of the Shades of Anger collective

*You can also continue the conversation with us in the Speaking Up Network, a private social media platform co-created by Animah Kosai, one of the leaders of Shades of Anger.

Shades of Anger was created by a global collective of women to raise awareness and inspire action to free Palestine. We chose the name of our collective to honor the poem, “Shades of Anger,” by Palestinian-Canadian poet Rafeef Ziadah. We also believe in liberation for Sudan, the Congo, Haiti, and all places where systems of oppression are causing immense suffering and crushing the life out humans. We are led by women of the Global Majority/BIPOC. Shades of Anger is for everyone who wants to act for liberation and you can learn more about it here.