Poet and political activist, lisa minerva luxx, discusses the dignity of the Palestinian people and their right to resist. The podcast explores the interconnectedness of liberation movements and solidarity, the complex conversation around violence and non-violence, and the importance of coalitions and resistance movements. It also delves into undoing power structures in the climate movement, land reclamation in Palestine, the humanization of resistance, and the concept of revolutionary love and localization.
Resistance against colonialism is leading to large-scale, global movements for justice and liberation.
The importance of coalition and unity among different movements to collectively challenge colonialism, white supremacy, and oppression.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is rooted in colonialism, not just religious differences, and requires nuanced understanding and collaboration between different religious groups.
Direct action and resistance, including revolutionary violence, are necessary to dismantle oppressive structures and bring about transformative change.
Deep dives
Waking up to Colonialism's Material Experience
People are realizing that colonialism is not just a concept, but a material experience. It is being understood that colonialism is not only about resistance, but also about the felt experience of colonial domination. This awakening is leading to widespread large-scale resistance in Europe, the UK, and the US. The colonial roots of our society are being traced back, revealing why there is such a significant resistance movement today.
The Power of Coalition and Unity
The podcast highlights the importance of coalition and unity among different movements. The episode discusses the Joint Struggle Block, which brought together various grassroots resistance groups in London, including Black Lives Matter, Snowflake Students, LGSM, and migrant support organizations. The formation of this coalition reflects the growing recognition that struggles against colonialism, white supremacy, and oppression are interconnected, and that collective action is necessary for transformative change.
Challenging the Narrative of Religious Warfare
The podcast challenges the idea that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is purely a religious war. It highlights that the conflict is fundamentally rooted in colonialism, with Israel serving as a tool for imperial powers to maintain control in the Middle East. The episode explores the need to separate religion from the political agenda and emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances of resistance, such as with Hamas, which is an elected governing party. It also underscores the unity and collaboration among different religious groups in calling for peace and an end to violence.
Resistance, Sabotage, and the Fight for Liberation
The podcast discusses the role of resistance and sabotage in fighting against colonialism. It draws parallels with historical liberation movements and emphasizes the need for multiple forms of resistance. The conversation highlights the power of direct action, striking, and economic sabotage in disrupting oppressive systems. It challenges the notion that non-violence alone can bring about meaningful change, asserting that revolutionary violence may be necessary to break free from oppressive structures. It also stresses the importance of faith and steadfastness in the face of adversity for those fighting for liberation.
The Power of Protest and Activist Networks
Protesting and demanding change is not enough. Taking action and uprooting the structures of power is essential. Activist networks play a crucial role in pushing for meaningful change and making legislation necessary for progress. Protest alone is not sufficient to bring about transformation. The importance of investing in activist networks and supporting those who are actively working to dismantle oppressive systems is emphasized, as they are the ones driving the reality that leads to positive change.
The Need for Direct Action and Resistance
Passive approaches, such as asking and seeking solutions, are not enough to bring about significant change. Direct action and resistance are necessary to confront oppressive systems. Historical examples, such as the March of Return in Palestine, demonstrate the limitations of peaceful marches when those in power show no interest in giving up their power. Violent outbursts and acts of resistance have been pivotal in achieving progress in the past, as seen in movements like LGBTQIA+ liberation. These actions punctuate the existing structures of power and pave the way for transformative change.
Localization and Building Dignified Communities
Localization is identified as an act of revolutionary love. By bringing together individuals from different backgrounds and social positions in local communities, a sense of unity and collective resistance is fostered. The dissolution of individualistic notions and embracing the concept of an organism that works together for a common cause is crucial. Localization helps overcome the disconnection between thinkers and activists, and allows for sustainable social movements that prioritize the values of kindness, community, and love. Dignity becomes central when considering the lives of oppressed communities, and building a dignified world becomes a shared responsibility.
Israel will not stop until it subsumes the entirety of Gaza and, from the words of their leaders, destroys the Palestinian people.
Brave people everywhere are protesting. Many are talking. Some stay quiet, for fear of losing their jobs. A minority around the world firmly believe the rhetoric developed by the Israeli state. The injustice in the Middle East, the violent impunity murdering thousands of civilians, backed by Western powers who blush not at their own hypocrisy, is uniting people all over the globe. This is an uprising against colonialism, against violence itself.
lisa minerva luxx, poet, political activist, and member of Palestine Action joins me to discuss the dignity of the Palestinian people, and the dignity they have long been denied. We discuss their right to resist under international law, examining the narrative that passivity could have led to their liberation. We also explore the relationship of the Palestinian struggle for freedom to all other liberation movements around the world, with luxx highlighting the many leaders who fought for freedom using the tools of resistance, including guerilla warfare and sabotage.
This is an episode about colonialism, violence, action and love. This is an episode about the reality of the situation in Palestine, and the Israelis and Palestinians suffering under this colonial regime.
“Many people have been talking about and been horrified by—but not enough people—the use of “these are human animals”. We heard this before with the persecution of Jews. How are we not learning? Jews were called rats. And that's why so many people allowed for the Holocaust to happen. ‘Oh, well, it's not happening to humans, I can allow it to happen to rats. I don't like rats.’ We allowed for this to happen before. How are we back here?"
