I believe I can make a difference in my lifetime

Here is the latest message in our series, “Be The Mondoweiss Megaphone.” This campaign is designed to mobilize our readers to do two things: contribute financially to help amplify the voices published in Mondoweiss, and share your view and Mondoweiss’s content more broadly to increase our influence on public debate.

Previous messages included

• “Help Mondoweiss Turn Up The Volume,” which launched the campaign and asked each of you to lend your own network and your own credibility to Mondoweiss;
• “My journey from Zionism to Palestine solidarity,” personal reflections by Mondoweiss co-editor Adam Horowitz (which prompted over 100 comments—a great example of the impact when one person discloses to others, simply and sincerely, their personal feelings and stake in justice for Palestinians);
• “Spread the Word,” in which we announced the weekly Mondoweiss newsletter and gave suggestions on how to share it with your friends; and
• “Real-World Impact,” where we offered ideas on how to boost the volume of Mondoweiss voices through daily conversations and public expressions of your views.

Every entry in this campaign should serve to build our community and its influence, and to remind you of Mondoweiss’s importance so you’ll help us raise $50,000 by July 15. Each one of you has your own reasons for visiting Mondoweiss, a unique news operation that serves an amazing community of activists and thinkers. Please donate today, and tell us what Mondoweiss means to you.

If you would like to know how donations will be used, click here to understand how dollars and cents are transformed into truth-telling.

Today we present the story of Annie Robbins, another core Mondoweiss team member. Annie’s passion for justice led her to writing and editing with us. Starting this month, Annie will have a larger role at Mondoweiss, thanks to the financial support provided by so many readers and allies in our last fundraising campaign.

It’s your turn to take on a larger role: Be the Mondoweiss megaphone by making a donation today. Your passion and generosity are what make possible every aspect of this site.

ANNIE ROBBINS

1) Did the milieu in which you grew up have any impact on your views about Israel/Palestine?

I grew up in the San Francisco bay area in the 50’s and 60’s. My family was not religious and for the most part non-political although I had an awareness my grandfather was racist. I was raised to believe everyone was equal and I was supported in my ideas, ideals and aspirations. I had no awareness of what was going on in Israel/Palestine and no reason to believe my parents did either. I think the way I was raised has had an impact on my views about Israel/Palestine because I learned to believe in myself and trust my instincts.

2) How did you get involved with journalism about Israel/Palestine?

During the run up to our invasion of Iraq I discovered the internet and blogs. I started communicating with people in the Middle East and I was impressed by the culture. I noticed that people who defended U.S. actions in Iraq and Afghanistan also defended and protected Israel, which I found curious. Around this time Israel came on my radar and into my sphere of consciousness, what I learned was very ugly and disturbing.

I became a news junkie. I began commenting on blogs because I felt an urgency to respond to the lies I was reading.

3) What keeps you going in documenting what goes on in Israel/Palestine?

I believe I can make a difference in my lifetime. I am part of a righteous movement. Our society has been brainwashed into believing the problems we face are intractable, complicated and unsolvable. They aren’t. Without mobilization we’re doomed.

I’m just here because I have a nose for news and I am a squeaky wheel. Israel/Palestine is the preeminent human rights issue of our lifetime. It has huge implications for international law and the future of humanity. That’s why I am here. Everyone reads Mondoweiss, whether they love it or otherwise we’re in the center of the media storm.

4) What is the best thing about being part of the Mondoweiss team?

It’s a privilege working with Mondoweiss, to have my voice heard and to work with so many talented and wonderful contributors. I can make a difference here. It’s an honor working with Phil and Adam, and the entire activist community blows my mind. I love watching the effects of our work as it seems as though the discourse surrounding the issue and BDS is evolving by leaps and bounds.

5) What hopes and dreams do you have for Palestine?

My hopes and dreams are that Palestine will be free, the less violence the better. I strongly believe truth is the most effective weapon there is and the more people are exposed to it, the better it is for everyone. I believe in what Martin said about justice and the arc of the moral universe. I think the next five years will be crucial for the BDS movement and I believe we will prevail.