I start with a poem, hoping that this may touch your hearts:
“Once in a village that is burning
because a village is always somewhere burning
And if you do not look because it is not your village
it is still your village
In that village is a hollow child
You drown when he looks at you with his black, black eyes
And if you do not cry because he is not your child
he is still your child”
-Elana Bell
This piece encompasses the detachment we feel to the suffering of others. We hear but fail to truly listen; we see but do not earnestly watch, and most of all, we are aware but we lack the sympathy to care. With the ongoing genocide in Palestine, there seems to be a general lack of empathy for the people of Palestine who are facing collective punishment. Instead, I hear excuses, “Israel’s right of self-protecting,” “Hamas caused this,” “They were told to leave,” etc…
As of today, more than 17,700 Palestinians have been killed, 8,300 being children, and more than 1.7 million Palestinians displaced. This has become a humanitarian issue, not a war against Hamas. The excuses offered in defense of the ongoing atrocities in Palestine are contributing to a dangerous narrative that justifies collective punishment. The people of Palestine are not mere casualties of political strategies or conflicting ideologies; they are individuals with dreams, families, and an undeniable right to dignity and safety. To those who echo these excuses, I implore a shift in perspective. Open your eyes to the faces of the innocent, caught in a cycle of violence not of their making. Open your hearts to the stories of loss, resilience, and the longing for a peaceful existence Palestinians have endured.
As students of Carnegie Mellon, we have been recognized as some of the brightest thinkers, evolutionaries, and changemakers, yet we are lacking the essence of humanity. Why are we defiantly quiet? Why are we not fighting for the Palestinian people? Why are we justifying their pain? As bright thinkers, we have the power to influence narratives, dismantle excuses, and foster a culture of empathy and understanding. As evolutionaries, we can redefine the norms that allow such tragedies to persist. As changemakers, we can contribute to a movement that advocates for peace, justice, and the fundamental rights of every individual. We need to recognize the humanitarian issue behind this. This isn’t a religious or political war; take a stance for human rights and fight for the people of Palestine. Educate yourself on the historical context of the conflict between Israel and Palestine; understand their stories. Neutrality, in the face of such glaring injustice, inadvertently supports the oppressor. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the humanitarian crisis and the blatant violation of human rights. It’s essential that we look beyond the headlines and acknowledge the human faces behind the statistics. It is our moral responsibility.
Fellow students, remember that the strongest fights for justice, equality, and equal rights have started at universities. The Civil Rights Movement, Anti-Vietnam War Movement, Anti-Apartheid Movement, Women’s Liberation Movement and many other influential movements have their roots in universities. In the face of current challenges, we must draw inspiration from the legacy of these movements. It’s a reminder that, as students, we have the potential to be catalysts for change.
Within the safety of our bedrooms, classrooms, and neighborhoods, remember the people of Palestine. Remember their fight, story, and their humanity. Pray for their safety, for their peace, and for their rights. In our finals week where our biggest worry is passing our classes, remember the worries of the Palestinian people. I write this piece for sympathy and compassion for the Palestinian people. I write to magnify the voice of those who are suffering. I write to remind you of the humane lives, stories, and voices of the Palestinian people.
I write to remind you of Palestine.
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