Indigeneity & Palestine w/ Nick Estes & Mohamed Abdou
Jan 5, 2024
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Discussing indigeneity in Palestine and the impact of settler-colonial domination, exploring intersections of history, religion, and decolonization, critiquing consumption patterns in poverty and settler colonialism, navigating identity politics, solidarity, and global struggles with a focus on self-determination and genuine support for indigenous issues.
Colonial violence erases indigenous histories, relationships, and identities, impacting land and culture deeply.
Zionism blends Christian ideologies with nationalism to create a distorted Eurocentric state, erasing historical complexities.
Indigenous narratives are contested, perpetuating erasure of land, language, and histories through colonial doctrines.
Politically charged history intertwines with colonialism, challenging dominant narratives and fostering systemic resistance against erasure.
Solidarity across oppressed groups requires long-term transformative efforts, navigating through geopolitical complexities and collective struggles.
Deep dives
The implications of colonial violence on indigenous cultures
The podcast delves into the historical and ongoing impacts of colonial violence on indigenous cultures, drawing parallels between different instances of colonization and the erasure of traditional histories, relationships to land, and cultural identities. Through discussions on the Doctrine of Discovery, residential schools, and the appropriation of indigenous languages and customs, the conversation highlights how the destruction of familial connections, relation to land, and conception of history are central aspects of genocidal practices.
The entanglement of secularized Christian ideologies in Zionist narratives
The episode explores the entanglement of secularized Christian ideologies in the foundation of Zionist narratives and the establishment of the Israeli state. From theological justifications for colonization in the medieval Mediterranean to the challenges faced by Jews in the post-biblical period, the podcast discusses how Zionism sought to restore Jewish history by creating a Eurocentric nation-state rooted in a distorted sense of modernity and nationalism.
The contestation of indigenous culture and the significance of statelessness
The conversation delves into the contested narrative of indigenous cultures and the significance of statelessness in shaping historical and contemporary power dynamics. By examining the complexities of indigeneity, the podcast sheds light on how the theological doctrine of discovery, coupled with secular justifications, perpetuates the erasure of indigenous connections to land, language, and temporal histories across diverse regions.
Critical reflections on the politicization of history and cultural relations
The episode critically reflects on the politicization of history and cultural relations through the lens of settler colonialism, religious ideologies, and Eurocentric modernity. By analyzing the conflation of theological narratives with political agendas, discussions encompass the interplay between communal sovereignty, decolonization efforts, and the need to challenge dominant narratives that perpetuate systemic violence and erasure of indigenous identities.
The Intersection of Solidarity and Statehood
The discussion delves into the complexities of solidarity between different groups, emphasizing the interconnected struggles against oppressive structures. It explores the concept of statehood and its historical implications, highlighting the intricate relationships between power, language, and collective resistance.
Challenges of Structural Solidarity
The conversation unravels the challenges of conceptualizing solidarity within structural frameworks, emphasizing the need to move beyond short-term crisis management towards long-term, transformative solidarity efforts. It critiques the projection and individualization of issues, particularly in the context of Palestine, settler colonialism, and resistance movements.
Political Ideologies and Global Solidarity
The dialogue navigates through diverse political ideologies, including radical leftist perspectives, critical analyses of settler colonialism, and the dynamics of international solidarity. It deconstructs the narratives surrounding state interests, identity politics, and the deeper implications of resistance movements in the face of oppressive power structures.
Importance of Solidarity in Political Struggles
The podcast delves into the concept of solidarity in political movements, emphasizing the need for genuine discussions and ethical disagreements. It highlights the importance of developing an ethics of disagreement and hospitality within activist communities. The episode explores the complexities of various political and theological discussions, underscoring the necessity of confronting misconceptions and internalized ideologies.
Long-Term Struggle for Decolonization and Liberation
The discussion extends to the long-term nature of resistance movements, particularly in the context of decolonization and liberation. It underscores the continuous struggle against colonial oppression and the need for sustained commitment and vision for alternative futures. The importance of honoring martyrs and celebrating living resistance, while acknowledging the enduring challenges and historical context, resonates throughout the conversation.
In this episode of Guerrilla History, bring on two exceptional guests to discuss a critical topic for deepening our understanding of Palestine and the ongoing settler-colonial domination by the state of "Israel"! Nick Estes and Mohamed Abdou come on the show for a conversation about Indigeneity and Palestine, and we found this discussion to be incredibly fruitful and useful when analyzing the situation in Occupied Palestine today. We are sure that you will also find use in this, and we encourage you to send it along to comrades to help them deepen their thinking of this as well!
A few pieces to check out: Mohamed did an YouTube event and wrote an article on the topic "1492 Palestine". Nick was active in the in the drafting of a letter by indigenous activists and scholars condemning the actions of Israel, and there is also an episode of The Red Nation where you can learn about this letter and indigenous solidarity with Palestine.
Nick Estes is a Lakota organizer, journalist, and historian at the University of Minnesota. He has cofounded The Red Nation and Red Media. Be sure to pick up Nick's book Our History is the Future, and he can be followed on twitter @nickwestes
Mohamed Abdou is a North African-Egyptian Muslim anarchist activist-scholar. He has been a Visiting Scholar at Cornell University and an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the American University of Cairo, and is incoming at Columbia University. Pick up his book Islam and Anarchism: Relationships and Resonances, and follow him on twitter @minuetinGmajor
