If you’re following what’s happening in Gaza, this might resonate with you.
I’ve called my project The Exploding Head because a lot of what I talk about comes from this deep “What, how come X is happening?” sentiment.
Well, more like “What, how do we ALLOW X to happen?”
But as a political commentator, I don’t focus on the feeling of helplessness or just my head exploding.
I try to see what concepts and frameworks can help us understand (not always fully, I know) what’s happening – and, ideally, what would be needed to move forward.
I’ve been working as a political commentator for ten years while The Exploding Head is almost three years old.
None of Israel’s wars on Gaza have been ‘easy’ to talk about.
Nor is it easy to point to the everyday colonial violence that takes place in the West Bank, almost never making it to the mainstream media.
But now feels different.
As Israeli families mourn their loved ones, knowing that these deaths are already being used to justify even more death (or an intensification of death) in Gaza,
As Palestinian families in Gaza have nowhere to escape a nuclear superpower unleashing its terror on them,
The world IS watching this time.
But also it seems to be cheering.
US bombs arrive in Israel.
The EU cuts aid to Gaza.
Israeli flags are displayed on government buildings in European capitals.
Another country currently fighting its occupier stands with the oppressor.
Diplomats are calling for death.
Celebrities appear posting photos of destruction in Gaza, not realising their prayers might reach the wrong people.
“Is this for real?” I ask myself many times a day.
“Is this what the world is allowing to happen, having taken a completely ahistorical view and a stance of dehumanisation and vengeance?”
Just like the man who I quote in my visual, I feel like I’m going mad.
My head is exploding and my heart isn’t doing too well, either.
And I think I’m afraid for our humanity.
—
“But Justina, you’ve just said your project is not about hopelessness?”
I’ll leave you with a quote by Krishnamurti:
“There is hope in people – not in society not in systems but in you and me.”
❤️💔❤️
Justina
Find my episode on the essential context of what we need to debunk about Gaza here.
Find my episode on the concept of erasure here:
Find all my work on Palestine here.
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