Last week, Brene Brown made her first statement on Israel’s most recent invasion and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, the one that began on October 27th.
Thanks Bo for sharing this with us. I hadn't read Brené Brown's post. Reading it disturbed me deeply. It is a justification for all those who prefer not to take a position, for all those who prefer not to see. 3 months ago, I've received a similar response from my yoga teacher after one of my newsletter on the subject (it was better for me not to take position).
Not opening our eyes to what is happening and not learning about Palestinian history prevents feelings of deep pain. How have we allowed this to happen for so many years?
Hi Audrey- Yes, the statement was so disappointing, particularly given Brene's positionality on social and especially racial justice. White dominant culture usually doesn't care about racial justice issues until they are personally affected; and this is how we allowed this, in my opinion. I'm sorry to hear you're getting this pushback... and hope that the rising number of people standing in solidarity with Palestine- a number far larger than Zionist-adjacent media outlets would like us to believe- is of support.
Hi dear Seb! I forgot to link her post and yes, it was a mess. Had to come back into the article and add some more sources. I've got faith that she can and will do better. Much love to you!
This whole ‘rebuttal’ here is full of anti-Israel tropes and selective framing. This is a war started by Hamas, not the Palestinian people. This isn’t the first time that Hamas broke a ceasefire, nor will it be the last. Israel has been clear that they are doing all the can to keep Palestinian civilians out of harms way, yet Hamas’ actions continue to put more Palestinians in danger. The pro-Palestinian movement continually takes the word of Hamas “spokespeople” as fact, when it has been proven time and time again that they have lied and embellished. The so-called hostages in Israel are legally detained and have been convicted of crimes - which happens in a democracy. Civil society works in Israel, which comes as a shock to many I know. Jewish students and people all around the world are continually feeling unsafe because of the antisemitic protests and hate marches and violence that has been going on for over 6 months. Time and time again, Israel & her citizens are told to “just take it”. This is a legal and democratically recognized country. They have a right to defend themselves - and all Jews around the world. Because they are the only ones who can. You don’t get to rewrite history because you don’t like it. The Jewish people were kicked out of almost every country and told to go to their homeland, and that’s what they did. At least the lucky ones who didn’t go through an actual genocide. The Holocaust. And it could very well happen again. This is not a genocide against Palestinian people - and any intelligent person can see that. If it was, this war would’ve been over months ago. Every post should begin with return the Israeli hostages. Because without that, there is no ceasefire. And that is what everyone wants, however who in the world trusts that Hamas would actually like up to a ceasefire? When people show you who they are, believe them. And people all around the world have shown that they are antisemitic, that they prefer their own world views, and that they would’ve been right there with the people in Germany who allowed the Holocaust to happen. We all now have our eyes open to people who find it okay to denounce the Jewish people.
Written by a Zionist, who isn’t Jewish but will also stand with the Jewish People. Am Yisrael Chai.
Thanks Bo for sharing this with us. I hadn't read Brené Brown's post. Reading it disturbed me deeply. It is a justification for all those who prefer not to take a position, for all those who prefer not to see. 3 months ago, I've received a similar response from my yoga teacher after one of my newsletter on the subject (it was better for me not to take position).
Not opening our eyes to what is happening and not learning about Palestinian history prevents feelings of deep pain. How have we allowed this to happen for so many years?
Hi Audrey- Yes, the statement was so disappointing, particularly given Brene's positionality on social and especially racial justice. White dominant culture usually doesn't care about racial justice issues until they are personally affected; and this is how we allowed this, in my opinion. I'm sorry to hear you're getting this pushback... and hope that the rising number of people standing in solidarity with Palestine- a number far larger than Zionist-adjacent media outlets would like us to believe- is of support.
Wow. I did not know about her post but from what you’ve outlined here it sounds like a mess! Thank you for breaking it down. 🫶🏾
Hi dear Seb! I forgot to link her post and yes, it was a mess. Had to come back into the article and add some more sources. I've got faith that she can and will do better. Much love to you!
This whole ‘rebuttal’ here is full of anti-Israel tropes and selective framing. This is a war started by Hamas, not the Palestinian people. This isn’t the first time that Hamas broke a ceasefire, nor will it be the last. Israel has been clear that they are doing all the can to keep Palestinian civilians out of harms way, yet Hamas’ actions continue to put more Palestinians in danger. The pro-Palestinian movement continually takes the word of Hamas “spokespeople” as fact, when it has been proven time and time again that they have lied and embellished. The so-called hostages in Israel are legally detained and have been convicted of crimes - which happens in a democracy. Civil society works in Israel, which comes as a shock to many I know. Jewish students and people all around the world are continually feeling unsafe because of the antisemitic protests and hate marches and violence that has been going on for over 6 months. Time and time again, Israel & her citizens are told to “just take it”. This is a legal and democratically recognized country. They have a right to defend themselves - and all Jews around the world. Because they are the only ones who can. You don’t get to rewrite history because you don’t like it. The Jewish people were kicked out of almost every country and told to go to their homeland, and that’s what they did. At least the lucky ones who didn’t go through an actual genocide. The Holocaust. And it could very well happen again. This is not a genocide against Palestinian people - and any intelligent person can see that. If it was, this war would’ve been over months ago. Every post should begin with return the Israeli hostages. Because without that, there is no ceasefire. And that is what everyone wants, however who in the world trusts that Hamas would actually like up to a ceasefire? When people show you who they are, believe them. And people all around the world have shown that they are antisemitic, that they prefer their own world views, and that they would’ve been right there with the people in Germany who allowed the Holocaust to happen. We all now have our eyes open to people who find it okay to denounce the Jewish people.
Written by a Zionist, who isn’t Jewish but will also stand with the Jewish People. Am Yisrael Chai.