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- How to respond to "But H4mas!"
May 27, 2024
Good morning. You do NOT have to “agree to disagree” when someone tells lies about Palestine - YOU can speak the truth!
LEARN. Take a look at the Palianswers website, a “crowdsourced database of short responses to Zionist lies.”
Image credit: Palianswers. Image description: screenshot from the Palianswers website. On the left are the words, “A crowdsourced database of short responses to Zionist lies.” And on the right is a stylized keffiyeh pattern in black and white, featuring birds in red, green and black flying free.
NOTICE. Take a moment to visualize yourself in conversation with a person who says, “But what about Hamas!” Or, “But what about the Israeli hostages?” What emotions come up for you: fear, anger, guilt, shame, anxiety, or something else? Can you remind yourself that these are normal emotions because you’re human, and your feelings don’t have to control your responses?
ACT. Remember that “agreeing to disagree” is just another form of silence - and silence allows Zionists to stay in power. Spend a some time reading through different responses you find on the Palianswers website, and practice saying them out loud to get your body and mind accustomed to taking that action. Bookmark or screenshot some of your favorites or ones that you know you’re going to need soon.
SHARE. Right now, send this email to 5 people or groups who may need support (like colleagues, employee support groups, texting groups, or friends in religious groups) handling conversations with Zionists, or even just misinformed people. Remind them they are not alone, and invite them to practice responses with you.
ASK. Which of the responses on the Palianswers website do you think will be most valuable for you? 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.
Image: On the left side is an off-white background with text in black that reads, “Shades of Anger; ‘Palestinians do not know the word impossible’ - Fatima Bernawi; So why should we?” On the right is an image of people gathering by a wall under a sign that reads, “Amplify your voice”
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