It's good to read of your struggle to formulate this Kate. The dissonances are huge and it is very hard to know how to engage with any of it. The news continues to be appalling. Your writing captures the experience well. I keep coming back to the fact that hate does not end through more hate. I give what I can to charities that seem to be doing some good, knowing it's an absolute drop in the ocean. I am glad Mohamed's family got out to somewhere safer. Sending you both love.
I've had this conversation with different friends recently, about the power of the individual, and how it can sometimes feel like we have no power or impact. And what I have learnt, reading the work of people much wiser than myself, is that beyond impact that can often be outside our control, fundamentally we do the things we do because it means we are living an authentic life. A life that holds true to our values, and our integrity, keeping our direction. I think about this for the small things, like reducing plastic waste. But also for the massive things like this. We do it because it is how to stay human.
But also, truly, at the moment donations are massive, they are one of the biggest gifts you can give another. They can be the reason a family eats, or has a tent over their head. Thank you for all you do, all your support for me (and for others), and how you are in the world <3
I've been reflecting on your comment about hate and the cycle of hate, in the last hour while I've been pulling weeds. And I think what I'd say to that is I agree, hate gets us nowhere.
And also, we are shown media that makes us think people are fueled by blind hate, and also makes us want to hate. We know modern web media lives and dies on clicks.
I think we're made to think or feel like it's hate that drives this conflict because hate is so intangible and abhorrent. But underneath this front of hate are structures, money and political power that have been and are continuing to fuel this and kneecap any diplomatic solutions.
All the Palestinians I have met, at least, and all the scholars I have read and listened to, all the activists, and even, and more importantly, those currently under bombardment that are speaking to the world, it is not hate which drives them (though they have all rights to hate those who have perpertrated this on them).
Where there are cycles of hate, though, the question is why? And how do we break it?
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to think this through, Judy. There is so much nuance to this learning we are all doing.
We are missing you all too, and supporting as we can, from afar, which often feels like not enough. I look forward to being home and hosting friends for tea and kai and conversations and sewing and organising and all the life giving things.
It's good to read of your struggle to formulate this Kate. The dissonances are huge and it is very hard to know how to engage with any of it. The news continues to be appalling. Your writing captures the experience well. I keep coming back to the fact that hate does not end through more hate. I give what I can to charities that seem to be doing some good, knowing it's an absolute drop in the ocean. I am glad Mohamed's family got out to somewhere safer. Sending you both love.
I've had this conversation with different friends recently, about the power of the individual, and how it can sometimes feel like we have no power or impact. And what I have learnt, reading the work of people much wiser than myself, is that beyond impact that can often be outside our control, fundamentally we do the things we do because it means we are living an authentic life. A life that holds true to our values, and our integrity, keeping our direction. I think about this for the small things, like reducing plastic waste. But also for the massive things like this. We do it because it is how to stay human.
But also, truly, at the moment donations are massive, they are one of the biggest gifts you can give another. They can be the reason a family eats, or has a tent over their head. Thank you for all you do, all your support for me (and for others), and how you are in the world <3
I've been reflecting on your comment about hate and the cycle of hate, in the last hour while I've been pulling weeds. And I think what I'd say to that is I agree, hate gets us nowhere.
And also, we are shown media that makes us think people are fueled by blind hate, and also makes us want to hate. We know modern web media lives and dies on clicks.
I think we're made to think or feel like it's hate that drives this conflict because hate is so intangible and abhorrent. But underneath this front of hate are structures, money and political power that have been and are continuing to fuel this and kneecap any diplomatic solutions.
All the Palestinians I have met, at least, and all the scholars I have read and listened to, all the activists, and even, and more importantly, those currently under bombardment that are speaking to the world, it is not hate which drives them (though they have all rights to hate those who have perpertrated this on them).
Where there are cycles of hate, though, the question is why? And how do we break it?
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to think this through, Judy. There is so much nuance to this learning we are all doing.
Glad you shared this beautiful piece of writing Kate. We’ve all been missing you and Mohamed and wondering how you are.
We are missing you all too, and supporting as we can, from afar, which often feels like not enough. I look forward to being home and hosting friends for tea and kai and conversations and sewing and organising and all the life giving things.