1.
In the language that I believe needs to be spoken now, ‘context’ sounds too much as if we’re talking about the brand of the gasoline that’s used to set a world on fire. It sounds too much like the colour of the watch on the wrist that the trigger finger is being pulled towards. ‘Context’ now feels like saying ‘weather’ when you mean ‘climate’ or ‘bully’ when you mean ‘racist’. It’s like ‘background info’ when you mean ‘systematic structures’. Too many people in positions of power like to untether monstrously barbaric behaviour from the systematic structures that not just justify but precede it. They present history as the thing that’s tightly curled up behind us. Luckily, many of us know that history also drags itself forward under our feet. And, we are raising fists, voices and funds. Taking and giving care. Shutting down stations. Questioning organizations and institutions. Boycotting chains. We’re remembering while we’re witnessing. We’re taking notes and in them, we sample (and hopefully rightfully credit) the work that has already been done.

That famous question that’s often asked when savagely barbaric behaviour is discussed… “How did they/we/humanity let this happen?” That faux-philosophical question? We in the so-called West are literally in the midst of its answers. The biased and propagandic mainstream media coverage we’re getting? Government abstaining their votes for a ceasefire… even Ukraine who begged the whole world to save them from the war they’re in? The cacophonic silence and muffled cowardice of institutions and organizations whose social and financial capital is rooted in their claims to be for liberation, decolonization, social justice, inclusivity, etc.? It’s all part of the answer to the “How did they/we/humanity let this happen?”-question. This. All of it. All. We are living in its answers.

2.
Nisrine Elamin on Twitter: “Sudan now has the largest number of displaced people in the world 7.1 million (5.9 mil. newly war-displaced), very few countries have created special visa programs for Sudanese refugees and for many, their 6 month visas are about to expire.” (Posted on Oct. 25, 2023)

3.
@asxmaali on Twitter: “Speaking up for things that align with your values doesn’t ruin your career, it clears the way for you to have an ethical one.” (Posted on Nov. 5, 2023)

4. Salutes to Read My World for organizing this:

5.
How are the solidarity statements from your favourite cultural and/or art institutions coming along? Are your favourite spots really giving you what you would like to see from them? Or are they saving that energy for early March when it’s time for them to say: “Hey hey heeey, happy merry Ramadan! Be sure to click on the ticket link to secure your seats in our inclusivity circus! Really, marhaba!”

6.
During her lecture as part of Unsettling’s Black Presence-series at Amsterdam’s Sandberg Institute, DJ Scholar lynnée denise referenced an interview with Gordon Parks. denise discussed a quote of Parks talking about how, and I’m paraphrasing, you can’t change a depiction/reflection of a reality if you don’t change the conditions that create this reality. It reminded me of what Nina Simone said in the first part of this video below:

The video shows her live performance of the song Feelings during the Montreux Jazz Festival of 1976. Simone says: “I do not believe the conditions that produced a situation that demanded a song like that.” This then redirected my attention back to so many of these hollow statements of support I’ve been reading on my social media timelines.
Statements of solidarity that don’t clearly condemn the conditions that produced a situation are rubbish.

7.
On Wednesday November 22, in less than four weeks, there will be national elections in the Netherlands. The summary of every political party’s campaign is, of course: “Go out there and vote for us!” From the newspapers to the talkshows, there’s loads of talk about why it’s important to vote. Loads of talk. Now, imagine that when asked to vote for a ceasefire… a resolution on “protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations on the ongoing Gaza crisis”… imagine that the Dutch government abstains from voting. There’s nothing mysterious or unclear about abstaining to say “Yes, I’m in favour” or “No, I’m against.” Abstaining comes from a cowardice of speaking out and cowardice is a massive root of the conditions that produced a situation.

“How did we/they/humanity let this happen?” Probably because you voted for political parties who, when asked if they wanted to immediately halt violence, threw back their heads, shook loose their hair and like the spoiled spawn they are said: “I don’t have to answer that.”
But, you voted for them because they made you believe that after they deported All Those Refugees you can have all the affordable houses and jobs your heart desires. Rubbish.

8.
The national Dutch elections: Yes, I will absolutely vote. No, I would never cast a blank vote. Yes, these are difficult times to figure out which party to vote for. (Sighs).