As a part of our lunch and learn series "Unpacking Sexism and White Privilege Over Lunch,"
Tilman Smith and I recently hosted a conversation on how we, as White women who are not
Jewish or from the Middle East, have been navigating the when, how, why, and what in
speaking up about the war. Even though I was one of the people hosting the session, this
conversation meant I had to model speaking when I wasn’t sure what to say; when I didn’t have
it all figured out. In other words, it meant risking navigating uncertainty in public and knowing I
may disagree with myself a few minutes, weeks, or years from now.
It is rare that I take the risk to take a stand when issues feel this complex and have so much
history and context I don’t understand. I found myself holding back from saying anything in
public for many reasons.
These are two marginalized populations and I’m an outsider to both. I’ve focused more on
White supremacy culture in the US and have questioned whether addressing the genocide in
Gaza is “in my lane,” yet I recognize this is being made possible by funding and other forms of
support from the US government.
Being willing to speak up in the face of ambiguity and possibly mess up in public means leaning into humility.
I asked myself these questions and engaged in reflective conversations with friends and
colleagues who also do racial equity work. Why is it my perception that this is so much more
complicated and difficult? What is my responsibility? What am I using as my compass?
As a result of my socialization around sexism and White privilege, when there is conflict, I’ve
often tried to keep the peace and mediate. I may avoid rather than risking speaking up and
getting it wrong. I worry people will think I’m racist, antisemitic, or Islamophobic. I feel comfort
when things are within my control, and this is anything but.
Being willing to speak up in the face of ambiguity and possibly mess up in public means leaning
into humility. I recognize I may never feel like I know enough, and I’m calling for a ceasefire
anyway. For me staying silent is not an option in the face of the atrocities we’re witnessing in
Gaza.
One way White supremacy culture is kept in place when we conceptualize action only from a
place of individuality. One person saying something might not make a difference, but many of
us lifting our voices together has consistently changed the tides of history.
Collectivism involves reaching out for other resources and continuing to learn and take action
together. I attended an excellent workshop on understanding antisemitism and the way
accusations of antisemitism are being weaponized to silence dissent with Israel put on by
Diaspora Alliance. I encourage you to look at all their resources. I’ve watched many videos
featuring Gabor Mate and particularly appreciated this one with Angela Davis recently.
I hope you will join me in continuing to advocate for justice as best we can, even and especially
when confronted with complexity. Please share additional resources you’ve found useful and
what you have been doing to take action.