Free Palestine

Beloved Game Changers,

It is the last day of Filipino American history month (USA) and Indigenous People’s month (Philippines), and there has been so much weighing on my mind. I have only been able to bask in the pride of being Filipino because of the activists and heroes who fought for my place at the table despite the oppression of our identity amidst white supremacy and colonization. That is a privilege that I surely won’t take for granted.

I can celebrate and practice indigenous dances and share stories of groups from the Philippines like our annual show Paglinang because of both those who persevered and those who dedicated their lives to fighting back.

Written into the identity of being Filipino is resisting systemic injustices: whether that is the resilience of living under Spanish rule, not giving in during Japanese occupation, or learning to thrive despite the USA’s colonization. 

I have found it so healing to learn of my culture- learn of the unconditional love that has been there all along, buried deep beneath the vitriol and hate our oppressors have taught us to have towards ourselves.

I don’t want my hesitation in posting to be mistaken for a wavering conviction. I care so deeply about these topics that I wanted to make sure I understood before speaking up so I can properly amplify the voices that need to be heard. By going to protests, by watching videos about history, and listening to those who are speaking up. I hope we can all find the strength in our hearts and minds to look to and care for those over in Palestine. Who, like everyone else, are deserving of their humanity. To stand with them against ethnic cleansing, against an apartheid state, against genocide, and against hate. 

There is no room for hate here. And like we have shown time and time again, I know we can come together to heal and do great things.

Below, I will be linking two books I am looking into in order to further educate myself:

The Hundred Year’s War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917-2017 $20

https://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Years-War-Palestine-Resistance/dp/1627798552/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1698794271&sr=8-1

Border and Rule: Global Migration, Capitalism, and the Rise of Racist Nationalism $15

https://www.amazon.com/Border-Rule-Migration-Capitalism-Nationalism/dp/1642592692/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1Q4DYHDCWFMRQ&keywords=border+and+rule+harsha+walia&qid=1698794348&sprefix=Border+and+%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-1

Your effort, no matter how small, makes a difference.

An example of a free way to support would be to boycott McDonalds, Starbucks, a Disney+. 

All of which have supported the Israel government in harming innocent civilians of Gaza.

Additionally-  to make abundantly clear, like any other type of hate- antisemitism will not be tolerated. Jewish people have cried out at the protests I’ve attended that they too are against the violent actions of the Israeli government. 

“From Palestine to the Philippines, stop the US war machine”

You’re loved unconditionally. - Mayari