Today I had an “epiphany”. I’ve waited YEARS to use this word!
But at last, “@Palestine” (which reports the latest news & commentary on Palestine), published an article that gave me the chance. It was entitled “What it is to be Palestinian in The US”.
Now, I write and tweet about Palestine all the time. Here and any place I can. Because, I believe, as Black Americans we have to continue to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. We can’t allow ourselves to be isolated and expect to win. Our struggle IS and always has been GLOBAL! As it was when we supported Madiba (A name affectionately used to refer to Nelson Mandela) as he fought APARTHEID in South Africa and we fought RACISM in America. That fight continues today! But in writing about APARTHEID in Israel, my concentration has always been focused on those imprisoned in the West Bank and GAZA.
Hence my “epiphany”! Cable News has had hours of shows dedicated to the use of the so-called “N” word. Careers ended for the use of it. Paula Deen comes to mind.
Charges of Antisemitism likewise killing careers. Helen Thomas comes to mind.
Charges of homophobia killing careers. Isaiah Washington comes to mind.
But most importantly, all have POLITICAL CORRECTNESS attached.
For just a moment close your eyes. Imagine yourself being PALESTINIAN, here in the United States, watching the Republican debate and hearing every last Republican candidate say: “If elected my FIRST phone call will be to Bibi (affectionately used to refer to Israeli PM Netanyahu) to assure him, there is NO daylight between Israel and the United States!” “We stand with Israel because of our shared Values”!
What a Palestinian might feel, hearing this is, what you are really saying is:”no matter what you do to Palestinians “we got your back”! Including illegal settlers burning an 18 mo old Palestinian baby to death?
The following day, Cable News was NOT ablaze with “did you hear what Carly Fiorina said last night”?
The reason is simple.
In the US there is “NO POLITICAL CORRECTNESS” for Palestinians!
What a shame! And I do mean “SHAME”!
FREE PALESTINE!
