Let's Move Beyond Vapid Virtue Signaling

As a Black American woman, it would be remiss of me to not start this post off abundantly clear: I stand with Palestinians, full stop.

We have seen a mass genocide unfold before our eyes and while many situations are delicate, require the ability to see a grey area, and occupy a space of nuance, I think at some point, we have to acknowledge right is right and wrong is wrong. This is wrong. It has been incredibly frustrating to see people argue otherwise, to pretend certain groups are in danger in their Penthouse NYC Suite because of their ethnic origin (that isn't even physically apparent to a random onlooker), and to virtue signal care in vapid ways that do NOTHING to help Palestinians. This post serves as a means to clear out my frustrations and hopefully, provide meaningful information and a bank of reputable resources.

The Reality

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with roots over a century old, is one of the world's most enduring conflicts, marked by cycles of violence, territorial disputes, and political tensions.

Historical Background: The conflict has its origins in the early 20th century with the Balfour Declaration of 1917, when the British government supported the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, then a majority Arab territory under British mandate. This was followed by increased Jewish immigration and tensions leading to the Arab Revolt of 1936-39, which was suppressed by the British, with Jewish and Arab communities forming militias​​. There is no grey area. This was occupied land belonging to Palestinians. This blurb with linked accompanying resources should be enough to understand the root of rage they possess.

The Formation of Israel and Subsequent Wars: In 1948, Israel declared independence, leading to the first Arab-Israeli war. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced during this period, known as the Nakba. Subsequent conflicts, including the Six-Day War in 1967, resulted in further displacement and the beginning of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip​​.

Intifadas and Peace Efforts: The first Intifada (uprising) began in 1987, leading to the Oslo Accords in 1993, which created the Palestinian Authority but did not resolve the conflict. A second Intifada in 2000 led to severe violence and a further breakdown in the peace process​​.

Current State: As of 2023, the situation remains tense with recurring cycles of violence. The UN has expressed alarm at the loss of civilian lives and urged all sides to refrain from exacerbating the situation. There have been recent incidents of violence involving Palestinian gunmen and Israeli security forces, and the UN Secretary-General has criticized Israeli plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank as a violation of international law​​.

Recent Developments: Tensions have escalated with Hamas fighters launching attacks on Israeli towns and Israel responding with a bombing campaign in Gaza and a blockade, actions that have drawn international concern. Settlements and the blockade have further strained relations and led to humanitarian issues in Palestinian territories​​.

The conflict continues to be shaped by historical grievances, security concerns, and the broader geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. The international community has repeatedly emphasized the need for a negotiated two-state solution, but progress has been elusive due to deep-seated mistrust and differing visions for the future. While this conflict has deep roots, it is not difficult to understand. I hope this brief rundown paints a clear, objective picture.

The Rant

In my corner of the internet, I have seen support for Palestine in ways that should make me proud, unfortunately, I have felt an increased amount of frustration with this superficial support. In the age of social media, the appearance of being a good human seems to matter more to people than actually being a good human. The spread of misinformation or surface-level support does little to support our fellow humans in need. People are so focused on which celebrity has spoken out, which mutual has retweeted something, which boycott is the most popular amongst mutuals that no one is pausing to amplify the voices of those IN the community. They have expressed countless times which organizations should be donated to, which TARGETED boycotts we should participate in, and where we can keep up with factual information, and instead of LISTENING, people insist on blindly following random people on their timeline without engaging in methods of fact-checking.

Big likes does not necessarily mean big truths.

We're surrounded by knowledge, and verifying facts can be as quick as a glance. A post's popularity is no mark of its truth. We must strive for authenticity in our individual actions to truly unite for change. It is also important to note power imbalances and who is in a position to speak up without retaliation and who is not. Extend empathy and grace to those who may not have the courage or means to stand up in a way that does not pose risks to their livelihoods and well-being. Overt displays of concern are empty without substance. You don't know the offline contributions of others, and "raising awareness" is not enough if it leads to inaction. It's time to move past mere online gestures to impactful solidarity.

The Resources

Here is a list of resources, including reliable X (formerly known as Twitter) accounts to tap into.

• This TikTok video by user Phinajana provides a simplified, humanistic and emphatic view of the conflict at hand.

• If you are interested in boycotting Israeli organizations, you should participate in TARGETED boycotts. I cannot express this enough. You can learn more by checking out the BDS website. Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) is a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality. When boycotting, remember these points that X user @deenakahara so beautifully points out:

• If you want unfiltered updates on what is happening in Gaza, follow @QudsNen on X. Please note that some content is graphic & horrifying, displaying the disgusting conditions real humans are undergoing in Gaza. X user @missfalasteenia also posts frequent updates.

• Reach out to the Biden Administration using this form. If you do not know what to say, X user @CandiedCae has provided this template. Check out their pinned tweet for some other ways to support!

• If you have the means to donate, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is a good place to start.

This list is meant to be a starting point and is by no means exhaustive. There is a lot of information being spread around the internet, but I believe this list is reputable and paints a clear picture of what is right and how you can do your part as an individual to remain informed and enact actual change beyond the screen.