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Pretty Heady Stuff

Sherene Seikaly yearns for what we can’t see: a world without genocide, ecocide or epistemicide

Mar 1, 2024
Sherene Seikaly, an Associate Professor of History at UC Santa Barbara, delves into the chilling realities of Gaza amidst increasing violence. She discusses the dehumanization of Palestinians, particularly children, and the devastating effects of colonial narratives. The conversation highlights the humanitarian implications of a ceasefire and the urgent need for aid. Sherene also explores the intersection of resistance, historical erasure, and the ongoing struggles against colonial control, emphasizing the significance of storytelling in shaping perceptions of the conflict.
01:29:14

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The staggering death toll in Gaza, surpassing 30,000, emphasizes the urgent need for a ceasefire to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe.
  • Colonial dehumanization fundamentally drives the violence against Palestinians, resulting in a painful erasure of their history and identity.

Deep dives

The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

The current humanitarian crisis in Gaza has led to a staggering death toll, currently exceeding 30,000, with over 11,000 of those being children. A report by researchers indicates that establishing a ceasefire could prevent an additional 75,000 deaths, underscoring the urgency of delivering humanitarian aid amid the ongoing military conflict. This situation has escalated due to long-standing issues of colonial dehumanization that render entire populations disposable, creating a catastrophic reality in which the ideals of liberation and justice are drowned out by silence and denial. The violence inflicted during this time is not merely about the present but also erases generations of Palestinians, particularly children, whose futures are jeopardized through acts of unspeakable brutality.

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