Discussing Palestine's Current Situation after BLM Movement: A Talk with Professor Mark Ayyesh
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Under the shadow of George Floyd's tragic death at the hands of a police officer just two months ago, global cities have witnessed an outpouring of protests inspired by the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. These mainly peaceful demonstrations have catapulted police brutality and systemic racism to the forefront of public discussions. Lending a global perspective, these protests have quickly drawn parallels between the struggles of the Palestinians and the legacy of racism in the US and beyond.
To delve into the political and cultural significance of this momentous juncture, our platform engaged with Mark Ayyesh, a Sociology professor at Mount Royal University, Canada. Here's a snapshot of Professor Ayyesh's initial sentiments after witnessing the wave of protests engineered by Floyd's death: he expressed shock, anger, and a sense of hopelessness, feeling that another Black man was being mercilessly murdered by the state with no accountability. Ayyesh believes that this incident underscores the deeply rooted structural racism imbedded within American society.
Over the course of a captivating half-hour conversation, Ayyesh shared his thoughts on the alliance between BLM and Palestine, offering an optimistic assessment of the impact of the movement in knocking down systemic racism barriers, while shedding light on its significance for the Palestinian cause.
Did You Know?BLM and Palestine share a historical bond forged by a mutual anti-racism and anti-imperialist philosophy[6]. Since BLM's inception in 2013, they have consistently demonstrated support for the Palestinian cause[7]. In light of this bond, Ayyesh explained that BLM is attracted to the Palestinian struggle because of its anti-imperialist stance[4]. Conversely, the Palestinian struggle connects with BLM due to its emphasis on anti-racism.
Looking at the long highway ahead for the movement, Ayyesh acknowledged that it is premature to get a clear picture of BLM's true impact, but he emphasized its steady progress over the past 5 years. "People who claimed that [BLM] was on the outskirts of politics will no longer make that claim anymore," he said, noting the growing prominence of BLM within the social and political discourse[8].
Peek Inside a Mirror:When asked about BLM's effect on Jewish liberals, Ayyesh observed that the movement has created a political environment in which probing questions are being asked more than before. "Many Jewish liberals have been taken aback by the grueling nature of the questions they're forced to confront," he said, referring to the societal racism they now find themselves confronting[7].
As the conversation drew to a close, the focus shifted to the resistance faced by BLM, primarily from the political right and pro-Israel groups. These hostile factions have tried to discredit BLM as anti-Semitic – a bizarre stance given that many Jewish activists have historically led the charge in advancing progressive causes, such as the fall of apartheid South Africa and the US civil rights movement[8].
Ayyesh mused on the connection between Israel's opposition to BLM and its historically divisive relationship with the Jewish community. Divisions within the Jewish community are nothing new, Ayyesh said, further mentioning that Israel supported the apartheid government in South Africa while many Jews campaigned against it[8]. Israel opposes BLM since it is an anti-imperialist movement, while many Jews stand in solidarity due to their longstanding tradition of supporting progressive causes[4].
Sources:
- "Black Lives Matter movement prompts soul searching among Canadian Jews." CBC News, accessed Nov 24, 2020
- "Black Lives Matter's Solidarity with Palestine and Anti-Semitism Accusations." Political Research Associates, accessed Nov 24, 2020
- "The Long, Complex History of American Jewry and Palestine." Haaretz, accessed Nov 24, 2020
- "The Black Lives Matter movement, the Palestinians and Israel." The Guardian, accessed Nov 24, 2020
- "How Palestinian and Jewish activist groups are finding common ground." The Washington Post, accessed Nov 24, 2020
- "Black Lives Matter's Bond with Palestine." Al Jazeera, accessed Nov 24, 2020
- Silvey, J. (2020). Religion and Activism in the Current Moment. Harris Miller Lecture and Symposium. accessed Nov 24, 2020
- White, R. (2020). Black Lives Matter is putting the onus on Jewish allies to confront anti-Semitism. Los Angeles Times, accessed Nov 24, 2020
- The news of George Floyd's death has triggered a wave of protests worldwide, bringing police brutality and systemic racism into the spotlight.
- The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has inspired numerous demonstrations, raising awareness about racial injustice and systemic discrimination.
- Sociology professor Mark Ayyesh, from Mount Royal University, discussed the cultural and political significance of the current moment with our platform.
- Ayyesh was deeply affected by the tragic death of George Floyd, expressing disbelief, anger, and a sense of hopelessness.
- Ayyesh believes that systemic racism is embedded within American society, and the incident highlighted the need for change.
- BLM and Palestine have a shared history, rooted in a mutual anti-racism and anti-imperialist philosophy.
- Ayyesh spoke about the alliance between BLM and Palestine, and how both movements are motivated by their common anti-imperialist stance.
- BLM has made significant strides in the past five years, gaining more recognition within social and political discourse.
- Mark Ayyesh also addressed the impact of BLM on Jewish liberals, stating that it has led to more introspection and discussions about societal racism.
- BLM faces resistance from certain groups, with pro-Israel organizations forcefully discrediting the movement as anti-Semitic.
- Israel's opposition to BLM, in Ayyesh's view, mirrors its past divisive relationship with the Jewish community.
- Education and self-development, social media, entertainment, politics, general news, and sports should all address these issues, fostering understanding and promoting progress towards equality and justice.
