The Interconnected Struggle for Liberation: A Plea for Unity and Empathy
From the streets of Harlem to the ancient lands of Palestine, the narratives of oppressed people, though unique in their contexts, are woven together with threads of resistance, resilience, and a shared need for justice. As an educator, writer, and lover of travel, I've had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the connections between the struggles of marginalized populations across the globe. Each story, though rooted in distinct histories, bears undeniable parallels and interconnectedness.
The struggles of marginalized communities across continents aren't isolated incidents but symptomatic of a larger, more insidious colonial and imperialist framework primarily spearheaded by the British Empire and the United States.
Malcolm X, during his transformative pilgrimage to Mecca, took notice of the universal struggle for human rights. His journey unveiled the importance of international solidarity: “The same man that was colonizing our people in Kenya was colonizing our people in Congo… The same one in the Philippines, was colonizing our people in South America; and in the Middle East; and in Asia; and in Africa.” The oppressor, in many forms, remains the same.
Historically, these global powers have played undeniable roles in the oppression and destabilization of societies. The British Empire's legacy in Australia, which led to the erasure of Aboriginal cultures and traditions, mirrors the US's annexation of Hawaii and Puerto Rico, leading to cultural erosion and economic exploitation. Haiti, once the beacon of hope for enslaved Black people, faced brutal consequences for its audacious act of liberation, punished by global powers including France and America.
The struggle of the Palestinians is no different. Their narrative, is also one of displacement, erasure, and resilience. It's essential to challenge the divisive myth that Palestinians harbor ill-will toward Black communities. In the 1960s and 70s the Black Panther Party and Palestinian Liberation Organization gained solidarity for one another’s movement. Immediately after the death of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri Palestinian activists shared their tactics for combating tear gas during protests and in 2020 Palestinians stood by us with the rest of the world following George Floyd’s murder. Generalizations weaken solidarity, and it's through unity that our shared oppressor can be confronted.
James Baldwin brilliantly encapsulated this sentiment, declaring, “Ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.” It's this very ignorance that pits marginalized communities against one another. By educating ourselves on each other's struggles, we arm ourselves against divisive tactics.
To fight for Palestine is to acknowledge that their liberation is intricately tied to the liberation of Black Americans, Hawaiians, Puerto Ricans, Haitians, and Aboriginal Australians and many more marginalized peoples across the globe. Their struggles resonate with the stories of countless marginalized communities that, for too long, have been suppressed by dominant narratives.
In our pursuit of equity, liberation, and justice, we must extend our empathy and solidarity beyond borders. The interconnectedness of our struggles should serve as a potent reminder that the fight for one is the fight for all. As we work to dismantle oppressive structures, let us remember that our liberation, wherever we are, is bound together.
Black America: The era of slavery, segregation, and systemic discrimination that Black Americans have faced is well-documented. This fight against white supremacy took a new dimension during the Civil Rights Movement. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X emerged to challenge racial injustice.
Aboriginal Australians: Beginning in the late 18th century, the British colonization of Australia led to the displacement and decimation of Aboriginal communities. This oppression extended into the 20th century with policies like the "Stolen Generations," where Aboriginal children were forcibly removed from their families to be raised in white households or institutions, aiming to "assimilate" them.
Natives to Hawaii: The overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893 was orchestrated with the support of American businessmen and U.S. Marines. Hawaii's annexation into the United States saw the suppression of Hawaiian culture, notably the ban of the Hawaiian language in schools.
Puerto Rico: After the Spanish-American War in 1898, Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory. This change led to a complex relationship characterized by economic dependency, military conscription, and struggles for self-determination.
Haiti: The first Black republic, Haiti achieved independence in 1804 after a successful slave revolt against French colonial rule. However, the newly formed nation faced crippling debts imposed by France as "compensation" for lost property (referring to freed slaves). The U.S. occupied Haiti from 1915-1934, further entrenching its economic struggles.
Palestine: The Balfour Declaration by the British in 1917 supported the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. The subsequent establishment of Israel in 1948 led to the Nakba, where an estimated 700,000 Palestinians were expelled or fled their homes. The struggle for Palestinian statehood and rights continues today amidst a complex geopolitical landscape.
Through the lens of history, Angela Davis’s advocacy for prison abolition resonates with Palestinian calls to dismantle the "apartheid wall." Malcolm X's fight against systemic racism echoes in the Aboriginal Australians' struggle for land rights. James Baldwin’s literary depictions of Black American struggles resonate with the tales of displacement faced by Hawaiians.
Historically, the oppressors often employed similar tactics: divide and rule, cultural erasure, economic exploitation, and systemic discrimination. Recognizing these patterns helps us understand that marginalized communities, though separated by geography and distinct historical experiences, share common threads in their struggles for justice and sovereignty.
Fast forward to 2023: the streets worldwide are flooded with voices raising alarm over Palestine's plight. Protests demand justice, sovereignty, and recognition for Palestinian lives and rights. But why should Palestine matter to someone in Harlem, Honolulu, San Juan, or Port-au-Prince?
U.S. taxpayer dollars have historically played a role in perpetuating forms of colonialism, notably through substantial financial support to Israel, which contributes to the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories. Additionally, American economic and military interventions in various countries have often prioritized U.S. interests, influencing local land control and economies.
Our shared oppressors have historically capitalized on our lack of unity. By understanding and empathizing with the Palestinian struggle today, we recognize the broader fight against global systems of oppression.
So, when we raise our voices for Palestine, we aren't merely advocating for one nation's rights. We are challenging a long-standing oppressive global order, demanding change, and seeking justice for all. It is a call for collective liberation, where the freedom of one is interwoven with the freedom of all.
“We have a common enemy. We have this in common: We have a common oppressor, a common exploiter, and a common discriminator. But once we all realize that we have this common enemy, then we unite on the basis of what we have in common. And what we have foremost in common is that enemy — the white man. He’s an enemy to all of us. I know some of you all think that some of them aren’t enemies. Time will tell.” - Malcolm X
Sources:
Davis, Angela. (1981). Women, Race, & Class. Random House.
Malcolm X. (1965). The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Grove Press.
Baldwin, James. (1963). The Fire Next Time. Dial Press.
Broome, Richard. (2005). Aboriginal Australians: Black Responses to White Dominance 1788-2001. Allen & Unwin.
Silva, Noenoe K. (2004). Aloha Betrayed: Native Hawaiian Resistance to American Colonialism. Duke University Press.
Morales, Ed. (2018). Fantasy Island: Colonialism, Exploitation, and the Betrayal of Puerto Rico. Bold Type Books.
Dubois, Laurent. (2005). Avengers of the New World: The Story of the Haitian Revolution. Harvard University Press.
Pappe, Ilan. (2007). The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine. Oneworld.
Said, Edward. (1992). The Question of Palestine. Vintage Books.
Trask, Haunani-Kay. (1999). From a Native Daughter: Colonialism and Sovereignty in Hawaii. University of Hawaii Press.