I watched the documentary “Israelism” and found it a powerful and moving piece that filled me with sorrow and hope. In it, I could see the parallels of using religious identity to silence dissenting voices and justify horrific violence against the othered. It is a common, human problem. Going against what you were taught growing up can be difficult, if not excruciating. It is not likely to win you as many new friends as just going along with the majority, but look at the state of the world and tell me that the way things have gone is as they should continue.
There are incredible people all over the world pushing to take their identity back from bigots and find solidarity in the common cause of justice for all. So often, I have heard people, particularly in regards to the US government, refer to the actions of government as we. As in, sure, in theory, I can see some stuff is ugly, but WE had to do it, because tough luck, that’s the world. It is easy to say that when you are not on the receiving end of that horror. People pretend that the government, with some slight, undefinable flaws is like their favorite sports team, and that other super fans are their closest and truest allies.
What if the reality was, that we all have stronger bond and connection with those who work for justice for all people. The idea that for one group of people to have does not mean that others must not. Our fates are intertwined. Your having rights and a dignified life does not take away from my ability to do so, in fact it enhances the possibility of it. We are not competing sports teams, unless we are speaking of war mongering, resource stealing corporate culture. As people, we need not share these destructive aspirations. Building solidarity with those who seek real justice and equality for all is the only way this world is going to survive climate change and a whole host of human greed created catastrophes.