“The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe; and I am beginning to suspect that whoever is incapable of recognizing this may be incapable of morality.”
Well said, Dean. I always come back to the Pablo Casals quote: "The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?"
It's pretty rich, yet far from out of character, to listen to Republicans screeching about antisemitism on the part of people who want the carnage in Gaza to stop when they themselves consort with Nazis, white supremacists and the ever antisemitic Trump.
Many Republicans appear to be completely incapable of understanding the contradictions in their ridiculous statements. Either that, or it’s all a game to dupe their most ignorant constituents. And maybe it’s a little of both.
I think they, well not all of them, we do have to accept that some are barely sentient, fully understand the duplicitous nature of their statements, and yes, they know that no one in the media will call them on it...and their MAGA deplorables don't care as long as the libs are being owned.
Unfortunately events are proving that there is lots of room to hate Muslims, Arabs, and most especially Palestinians. In fact, for our politicians, it’s quite popular. It’s sobering to realize that they really do want us all dead.
Thank you for this beautiful, well-written essay, Dean. The picture of little Wadea at his birthday party is an image that remains stuck in my brain. I can’t stop thinking about him and his traumatized mother. I am so sick and tired of all the hatred. I was verbally attacked on another Substack site the other day because I commented, in the most gentle way, that Netanyahu’s hard right policies contributed to bringing on this attack. Even Haaretz wrote a stinging article blaming Netanyahu. I was then told I was blaming the victim and I was antisemitic. People need to stop doing this and engage in civil discourse. And of course, President Biden is getting attacked left and right for trying to navigate through an incredibly delicate and difficult situation.
"This should not be the daily life for Muslims, Jews, or Arab Americans of any faith".
And right there is this innocuous sentence I submit lies the root of all this discord. The simple word “faith”.
Faith by one definition in the dictionary is; 1. a belief that is NOT based on proof. 2. a system of religious belief.
No evidence of any God[s] and it is a system, that could also be defined as manipulation and subversion. Think about it.
If not for all the differences always heightened by their faith there might not be any difference in these two groups. They must share a substantial portion of common DNA. I submit that [all] religion is evil and is at the root of all this fighting and killing for 2000+ years.
Maybe it’s [past] time to put religion on the back burner and not use it as a weapon against those of “other faiths”… just maybe by putting human rights and civility above any and all of these so-called idealistic dogma-based religions and get the two sides to agree on the one most important thing— to stop this killing, honor all human rights, and to agree to stop disputing territory and quit wearing their 'faith' symbols (yarmulke, burka, and hijab).
These labels and symbols should have no relevance in the 21st century when their only [real] use is as an identifying label and a [possible] source of much of this hate.
Maybe I’m not seeing the real problem here but I submit that this idea carries some weight and might be a starting point to a peace that can only come about by putting human and civil rights above any religious beliefs that by their own definition have no verifiable evidence as being true— that’s why it’s called “faith”.
What fantastical world are you living in? I mean no disrespect. But John Lenin’s words will always remain an aspiration. We need to learn to respect each others differences and live together. Also seemingly aspirational at the moment. But smarter people than I have done these negotiations in the past.
Narcissists, sociopaths & psychopaths are constantly using trauma, fear & hate to get us to forget our humanity. That's how their horrifically self-serving, toxic & massively destructive behaviors at the expense of innocents can go by unnoticed by the govs & people who can hold them accountable.
The Whole Picture Must be Looked At...Until Israel wants a Two State County, It Will Never Happen! Israel’s current Government and it’s soon-to-be-gone Leader Do Not Support It. But Thank God the World has called attention to the “War Crimes” being inflicted upon Trapped Civilians who are trapped under Rockets and Bombs...No matter their Race or Religion!
Years ago, Israel agreed to a two-state solution. Hamas broke agreements by attacking Israel. I agree, Netanyahu is a poor leader for Israel who must be voted out. With the opposition party, a two state solution is doable with Israel. Is it doable with Hamas? I doubt it because their mission is the murder of all Jews. They too must be replaced by an honorable government.
Please tell me the name of an Israeli leader who will agree to a Palestinian state? Even the opposition leader Gantz says no Palestinian state. Instead it's an endless occupation of Palestinian Christians and Muslims. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-697070
The government in Israel is opposed by just below 50% of Israelis who have been demonstrating in the 100’s of 1000’s for months against the government.
Joyce is right. The Arabs walked away from the Camp David agreement in 1978 and 1999 which were the basis for a negotiated 2-State solution.
Israel left Gaza in 2006--17 years ago! Instead of building a state for the Palestinian people they built a terror organization that bombed Israel weekly (hence the Iron Dome).
As a woman who is neither Jewish nor Palestinian, I can see that there are those on both sides of the conflict who see ALL of those on the other side as enemies, including civilians who are simply trying to live their lives. This exacerbates the situation and it spreads the hate to other countries. The power brokers are the ones responsible for causing the wars by their rhetoric.
It hurts my heart that so many innocent civilians have died, especially the children, who have not yet learned to hate.
Since God predestines us to be conformed to Christ’s likeness, we must imitate His care and concern for ALL those who suffer. We cannot wait until our life is clear of obstacles before reaching out to others, because there’s no guarantee that day will ever come. When you’re willing to wade into the troubles of others, two things happen. First, someone receives desperately needed blessings in the form of aid, support, and love. And second, you fulfill God’s command to love our neighbors as ourself. Today, be thankful for what you have, where you live, and that you didn't have to wake up trying to dig a loved one out of a pile of rubble. Open your heart to care and share in someone else’s adversity.
TO OUR NATION’S LEADERS:
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience; but when he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Thank you for writing this. I am Jewish and I very much appreciate your use of the terms Anti-Muslim and Anti-Arab. I cringe when I hear leaders and those with influencing powers use the term "Islamaphobia". That term diminishes what's happening to Muslims and Arabs by reducing it to a fear. But violence and outward aggression are much more than simply a fear. I fear heights but I don't try to tear down tall buildings. When people take to assaults (in any form), it's no longer an anxiety, it's hate. Hate has to be called out and dealt with differently. I hope you can encourage others to use the appropriate terms, and then maybe we can stamp out hate.
We as a species just cannot evolve so history continually repeats itself. Our White government attempted genocide of Native Americans and permanently separated Native American children from their families as recently as the 1980s. Our White govt sold Black children during slavery and is now exploiting Brown children by eliminating labor protections. For all its talk about pro-life, racists see children as vermin.
“The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe; and I am beginning to suspect that whoever is incapable of recognizing this may be incapable of morality.”
~ James Baldwin
Well said, Dean. I always come back to the Pablo Casals quote: "The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?"
Thanks!
Thank you for this
It's pretty rich, yet far from out of character, to listen to Republicans screeching about antisemitism on the part of people who want the carnage in Gaza to stop when they themselves consort with Nazis, white supremacists and the ever antisemitic Trump.
Many Republicans appear to be completely incapable of understanding the contradictions in their ridiculous statements. Either that, or it’s all a game to dupe their most ignorant constituents. And maybe it’s a little of both.
I think they, well not all of them, we do have to accept that some are barely sentient, fully understand the duplicitous nature of their statements, and yes, they know that no one in the media will call them on it...and their MAGA deplorables don't care as long as the libs are being owned.
That very few people in the media will call them on it is exactly the problem.
With a heart aching for peace...
Well said, Dean, Peace is what's needed, everywhere. Humanity must prevail over far right culture.
No place at all.
Unfortunately events are proving that there is lots of room to hate Muslims, Arabs, and most especially Palestinians. In fact, for our politicians, it’s quite popular. It’s sobering to realize that they really do want us all dead.
Thank you for this beautiful, well-written essay, Dean. The picture of little Wadea at his birthday party is an image that remains stuck in my brain. I can’t stop thinking about him and his traumatized mother. I am so sick and tired of all the hatred. I was verbally attacked on another Substack site the other day because I commented, in the most gentle way, that Netanyahu’s hard right policies contributed to bringing on this attack. Even Haaretz wrote a stinging article blaming Netanyahu. I was then told I was blaming the victim and I was antisemitic. People need to stop doing this and engage in civil discourse. And of course, President Biden is getting attacked left and right for trying to navigate through an incredibly delicate and difficult situation.
"This should not be the daily life for Muslims, Jews, or Arab Americans of any faith".
And right there is this innocuous sentence I submit lies the root of all this discord. The simple word “faith”.
Faith by one definition in the dictionary is; 1. a belief that is NOT based on proof. 2. a system of religious belief.
No evidence of any God[s] and it is a system, that could also be defined as manipulation and subversion. Think about it.
If not for all the differences always heightened by their faith there might not be any difference in these two groups. They must share a substantial portion of common DNA. I submit that [all] religion is evil and is at the root of all this fighting and killing for 2000+ years.
Maybe it’s [past] time to put religion on the back burner and not use it as a weapon against those of “other faiths”… just maybe by putting human rights and civility above any and all of these so-called idealistic dogma-based religions and get the two sides to agree on the one most important thing— to stop this killing, honor all human rights, and to agree to stop disputing territory and quit wearing their 'faith' symbols (yarmulke, burka, and hijab).
These labels and symbols should have no relevance in the 21st century when their only [real] use is as an identifying label and a [possible] source of much of this hate.
Maybe I’m not seeing the real problem here but I submit that this idea carries some weight and might be a starting point to a peace that can only come about by putting human and civil rights above any religious beliefs that by their own definition have no verifiable evidence as being true— that’s why it’s called “faith”.
What fantastical world are you living in? I mean no disrespect. But John Lenin’s words will always remain an aspiration. We need to learn to respect each others differences and live together. Also seemingly aspirational at the moment. But smarter people than I have done these negotiations in the past.
I agree. However. The problem is when their differences cause them to have continuous hate for each other because of religious dogma.
Plus!
Mixing religion with the government is stupid and it always kills human/civil rights, and a lot of people die because of that.
The damage done by charlatans and their idealistic bullshit and outright lies…such as — there is an afterlife— is immeasurable.
Narcissists, sociopaths & psychopaths are constantly using trauma, fear & hate to get us to forget our humanity. That's how their horrifically self-serving, toxic & massively destructive behaviors at the expense of innocents can go by unnoticed by the govs & people who can hold them accountable.
The Whole Picture Must be Looked At...Until Israel wants a Two State County, It Will Never Happen! Israel’s current Government and it’s soon-to-be-gone Leader Do Not Support It. But Thank God the World has called attention to the “War Crimes” being inflicted upon Trapped Civilians who are trapped under Rockets and Bombs...No matter their Race or Religion!
Years ago, Israel agreed to a two-state solution. Hamas broke agreements by attacking Israel. I agree, Netanyahu is a poor leader for Israel who must be voted out. With the opposition party, a two state solution is doable with Israel. Is it doable with Hamas? I doubt it because their mission is the murder of all Jews. They too must be replaced by an honorable government.
Please tell me the name of an Israeli leader who will agree to a Palestinian state? Even the opposition leader Gantz says no Palestinian state. Instead it's an endless occupation of Palestinian Christians and Muslims. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-697070
The government in Israel is opposed by just below 50% of Israelis who have been demonstrating in the 100’s of 1000’s for months against the government.
Joyce is right. The Arabs walked away from the Camp David agreement in 1978 and 1999 which were the basis for a negotiated 2-State solution.
Israel left Gaza in 2006--17 years ago! Instead of building a state for the Palestinian people they built a terror organization that bombed Israel weekly (hence the Iron Dome).
It’s hard to remain hopeful.
Meretz
Years ago, there were leaders who wanted the two state solution. Sounds like that’s not the case anymore. 😢
🤡
YES!
As a woman who is neither Jewish nor Palestinian, I can see that there are those on both sides of the conflict who see ALL of those on the other side as enemies, including civilians who are simply trying to live their lives. This exacerbates the situation and it spreads the hate to other countries. The power brokers are the ones responsible for causing the wars by their rhetoric.
It hurts my heart that so many innocent civilians have died, especially the children, who have not yet learned to hate.
The surviving children on each side are learning to hate.
Yes, and that is the saddest part of it all.
TO THOSE WHO ARE CHRISTIANS:
Since God predestines us to be conformed to Christ’s likeness, we must imitate His care and concern for ALL those who suffer. We cannot wait until our life is clear of obstacles before reaching out to others, because there’s no guarantee that day will ever come. When you’re willing to wade into the troubles of others, two things happen. First, someone receives desperately needed blessings in the form of aid, support, and love. And second, you fulfill God’s command to love our neighbors as ourself. Today, be thankful for what you have, where you live, and that you didn't have to wake up trying to dig a loved one out of a pile of rubble. Open your heart to care and share in someone else’s adversity.
TO OUR NATION’S LEADERS:
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience; but when he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
~Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thank you for writing this. I am Jewish and I very much appreciate your use of the terms Anti-Muslim and Anti-Arab. I cringe when I hear leaders and those with influencing powers use the term "Islamaphobia". That term diminishes what's happening to Muslims and Arabs by reducing it to a fear. But violence and outward aggression are much more than simply a fear. I fear heights but I don't try to tear down tall buildings. When people take to assaults (in any form), it's no longer an anxiety, it's hate. Hate has to be called out and dealt with differently. I hope you can encourage others to use the appropriate terms, and then maybe we can stamp out hate.
We as a species just cannot evolve so history continually repeats itself. Our White government attempted genocide of Native Americans and permanently separated Native American children from their families as recently as the 1980s. Our White govt sold Black children during slavery and is now exploiting Brown children by eliminating labor protections. For all its talk about pro-life, racists see children as vermin.