Kabobfest has a fine post on resistance art, stating, "It's only a matter of time before we culturally overwhelm the
occupation — especially as young progressive Jews join this just cause." And our correspondent, Seven, a Palestinian-American woman in California, concurs:
Palestinian resistance art, stuff that's actually really cool is
springing up left and right. There are so many great Palestinian movies that have come out, stuff is being made for a
different target and generation. It's not all just putting little girls
in traditional dresses and having them do the dabka for the white man
anymore. The rap is ANGRY and beautiful and it's not at all "Allah says
go blow up Jews," it's fierce. And not just men. Fierce female rappers
too. The movies kick ass. Palestinian-Americans (and other Arabs) my
age and a bit older are recreating the Palestinian narrative in way
that people are going to have a hard time pointing and screaming
"anti-semitism" just because they don't like the message. When I was a
kid and my parents took me to "events" it was always just us and some
other Palestinian family in the room. Now they're packed for the most
part and Arabs are the minority. blah fucking blah.
I would greatly appreciate if you two defined principles that you actually applied to all of the communities in the region. Otherwise you have the appearance of advocating for exactly what you criticize, selective application of justice and right.
I agree with Richard Witty. How about a little balance for once.
Hipper? About as hip as JFM stains on polyester! And the Palestinians can only win when "progressive Jews" give them direction. That's a good one! The only thing worse than old men sending young men to war is when old men encourage young people to do silly performance art and make bad music in the face of tanks! At least with military training and weapons, the Palestinians stand a small chance at getting what they want. I can't imagine that 60 years ago many Zionists were worrying about making pop music or movies that will be funded, directed and distributed by their enemies. God I'm glad that I'm not hip!
What do you mean exactly?
At least with military training and weapons, the Palestinians stand a small chance at getting what they want. That hasn't really worked for the past 40 years, why would it work now. And how exactly are Palestinians going to get military training or weapons? The art sends simple messages to others about what life in the Occupied territories are really like, seeing as people around the world no longer understand. I can write a book about the occupation or make a 3 minute film, which one would be more powerful?
I did state that the chance of Palestinians getting what they want is small, even through armed resistance. Art is fine, but I would think that Palestinians can manage their own artistic expression without "progressive Jews'' capitalizing on the effort, and congrtaulating themselves for doing so.
That is true
But you need some token jews or else no matter how you protest, even if with full facts on your side, you will be dismissed as anti-semitic. You need some "self-hating" jews to dent the Star Chamber.