Pathologizing Palestinian Resistance w/ Liat Ben-Moshe and Leah Harris (01/11/24)
Jan 12, 2024
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Analyzing the pathologization of Palestinian resistance and advocating for transnational disability solidarity with Palestine. Topics include the intersection of disability, settler colonialism, and resistance, the application of eugenic logics against Palestinians, the pathologization of resistance movements, and the construction of terrorism and psychiatry's intervention.
The podcast discusses the pathologization of Palestinian resistance and rebellion, highlighting the importance of transnational disability solidarity with Palestine.
The panel examines how psychiatry and state mechanisms are used to pathologize resistance movements, emphasizing the need to resist and dismantle oppressive systems.
The conversation emphasizes the importance of building cross-movement solidarity, rejecting dichotomizing traps, and challenging structures that perpetuate disposability and oppression.
Deep dives
Solidarity in Disability and Resistance
In this episode, the panel discusses the intersection of disability, madness, and impairment with the occupation of Palestine. They explore how empire and settler colonialism are rooted in historical and ongoing oppression, perpetuated by countries like Israel and the United States. The conversation delves into the pathologization of resistance, rebellion, and resilience, highlighting the eugenicist and dehumanizing aspects of these narratives. The panel emphasizes the importance of solidarity and intersectional understanding in dismantling oppressive systems and building power in resistance movements. They call for a rejection of dichotomizing traps and a recognition of the broader structures that perpetuate violence and disposability. The episode concludes with a message of support and solidarity for those living in Gaza and Palestine.
Challenging Pathologization and Sorting
The panel examines the role of psychiatry and state mechanisms in pathologizing resistance movements and justifying violence. They shed light on how disability, madness, and political resistance are often framed as irrational, dangerous, or non-compliant to maintain oppressive systems. The conversation touches on the historical use of psychiatry to dehumanize and control marginalized groups, such as enslaved people and Black power activists. It also explores the construction of terrorism and the policing of political dissent. The panel emphasizes the importance of resisting these narratives and understanding the structural and historical context that perpetuates pathologization and oppression. They call for solidarity among different movements to challenge and dismantle eugenicist systems.
Building Solidarity and Resistance
The panel highlights the importance of building relationships and showing up for other movements as a way to build power and challenge oppressive structures. They discuss the need for cross-movement solidarity and the rejection of transactional or conditional support. The conversation underscores that solidarity is not about asserting superiority or rationality over others, but about recognizing and challenging the violence of colonialism and imperialism. The panel urges listeners to question and resist the construction of terrorism, violence, and dangerousness, and to avoid falling into dichotomizing traps. They emphasize the urgency of understanding and dismantling the power structures that perpetuate disposability, pathologization, and oppression.
The Disabling Effects of Settler Colonialism
The panel explores how settler colonialism functions as a disabling force, targeting individuals, communities, and entire regions. They discuss the deliberate disablement strategies employed in settler colonial violence, including attacks on infrastructure, healthcare systems, and essential resources. The conversation connects the experiences of indigenous populations facing settler colonialism globally, highlighting similarities between the plight of Palestinians and other marginalized groups. The panel underscores the need to understand settler colonialism's complex dynamics, including its entanglement with white supremacy, eugenics, and capitalist systems. They call for solidarity and resistance against settler colonial projects, emphasizing the urgency of recognizing and challenging these disabling forces.
Rejecting State Narratives and Reframing Resistance
The panel critiques state narratives that pathologize resistance, framing it as irrational or dangerous. They emphasize the need to resist these disempowering narratives and reframe resistance as an act of political agency. The conversation examines how state-controlled mechanisms, including psychiatry and eugenic justifications, serve to maintain oppressive systems. The panel calls for a rejection of the frameworks that perpetuate sorting and devaluation of marginalized communities. They highlight the significance of understanding the material realities and power dynamics in order to build effective resistance and solidarity networks.
Beatrice and Jules speak with Liat Ben-Moshe and Leah Harris about how Palestinian resistance and rebellion is pathologized and the importance of transnational disability solidarity with Palestine.
Transcript:
https://www.deathpanel.net/transcripts/pathologizing-palestine
Find our book Health Communism here: www.versobooks.com/books/4081-health-communism
Pre-order Jules' new book here:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/733966/a-short-history-of-trans-misogyny-by-jules-gill-peterson/
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As always, support Death Panel at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod
Referenced in this episode:
— Nu’man Abd al-Wahid, "Pathologising Palestinians to revive eugenic genocide"
https://english.almayadeen.net/articles/analysis/pathologising-palestinians-to-revive-eugenic-genocide
— Mohammad El-Kurd, "Jewish settlers stole my house. It’s not my fault they’re Jewish."
https://mondoweiss.net/2023/09/jewish-settlers-stole-my-house-its-not-my-fault-theyre-jewish/
— Alice Wong, "Why Palestinian Liberation Is Disability Justice"
https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/2023/12/02/why-palestinian-liberation-is-disability-justice/
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