How to find the strength to continue your activism during crisis

Nov 17

Written By Guest User

Words by Palestinian New Zealand Writer Wajd El-Matary

I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on humanity since I was old enough to understand what was happening to my people. After being exposed to the sight of red stained cotton preparing for burial, I have felt hurt but able to fight, despite the ethnic cleansing happening in Palestine. As a Palestinian, this is deep rooted in my lineage. I spoke to my sister the other day about this pain and suffering we are going through collectively - she said this feeling felt familiar, as if she’d lived with this grief before. My sister and millions of other Palestinians are feeling this same collective horror – survival mode keeps it hidden beneath the surface so we can continue with our activism through the toughest times.

Wajd El-Matary speaking at a Palestinian event commemorating the nakba

For those of you struggling to continue and cope with the masses of murder we are seeing daily, I want to remind you that there is nothing wrong with feeling like this is the end of the world. What you choose to do what that feeling however is just as important as the pain you feel in your gut every time you hear the death toll increase.

I’ve compiled a list of tips for those who are struggling to find the strength to continue this fight. We need consistency and sustainability, as we have no idea how long this genocide will continue for without intervention.

Wajd El-Matary and her dad in Palestine for the first time <3

Take breaks

Ironically, this is a very controversial stance to have – but I absolutely stand by it. We are incredibly privileged to even have the choice to take a break, as opposed to those witnessing the terror happening in real life. However, what good are we to the cause if we are burnt out and unable to dismantle the lies being spread?

I will say, taking breaks should only be for those who are consuming and actively engaging with what is happening in Palestine. You shouldn’t have the luxury of taking a break if all you’re doing is reading a news article once a day – taking breaks are for those actively fighting the occupation and working hard to fight the lies being spewed out of the state of Israel.

Understand your ancestry

Inter-generational trauma has taught us that we carry the same emotions, feelings, and hurt out grandparents and their grandparents one had. Epigenetically, we can have the same reactions to life altering events as our ancestors. This can be good or have a less positive effect.

If you come from an inherently marginalised background with ancestors that have fought life altering events like colonisation, you might find more strength than others to keep going. If you hail from a line of colonisers and find this time harder to stomach than most, it could be because you’re going against what emotion your genetics might’ve once felt.

Lean into the discomfort and ask yourself why you’re feeling that way. This is an opportunity to learn about yourself and how you can best help fight the oppression. This is your chance to be on the right side of history.

“I spoke to my sister the other day about this pain and suffering we are going through collectively - she said this feeling felt familiar, as if she’d lived with this grief before.” - Wajd

Do your research

Zionists love pulling the antisemitism card whenever they are called out for their behaviours and double standards. We are not calling for the extermination of the Jewish people in Israel – that would be abhorrent and completely anti the movement we are fighting for. We are calling for Palestinians to have the right to self-determination – and their right to end the occupation of their land since 1948.

Understanding that the west feels guilty for the atrocities committed by the Nazi’s helps to paint the picture of why they’re allowing Israel to get away with a mass ethnic cleansing. The Palestinian people are paying the price for a crime they did not commit.

Reassess relationships

We are in the midst of a genocide, and we are witnessing mass ethnic cleansing for the first time in (many) of our lives. It is not radical to reassess relationships around you to see if they are worthy of your time and effort. Who you allow to spend time with you is a direct extension of your beliefs and morals. There is nothing wrong with refusing to continue a relationship with someone who can’t acknowledge the genocidal intent of the state of Israel.

Lean on those around you

I’m usually a firm believer in ensuring you don’t offload unnecessary trauma onto friends and family. I am also a big advocate for creating space in relationships to make those around you suffering feel safe and heard. There is no harm in needing extra compassion from the people around you during this time.

We are collectively mourning the loss of (at the time of writing this, 11,000) people. Not only are we grieving them, but we are also consuming their death through content that we were not built to witness. It is okay to feel pain. Use that pain to fuel the fire in fight against the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.

Show up and support

The best way to find the strength to continue through the hardship, is to surround yourself with other people who feel the exact same. I have NEVER attended a rally where I didn’t feel inspired and empowered by the sheer number of people who share the same values as me. Know your rights when it comes to protesting, do your research, and get out there with a keffiyeh and a Palestinian flag. You’ll feel better for it too.

Wajd El-Matary

“I want to remind you that there is nothing wrong with feeling like this is the end of the world. What you choose to do what that feeling however is just as important as the pain you feel in your gut every time you hear the death toll increase.” - Wajd

A newspaper clipping from when Wajd’s great grandad was killed in Palestine by Israeli officials.

“They tried to kill him for a really long time - and happened to accidentally trample him after he took them to court for land confiscation.” - Wajd El-Matary

Words and images supplied : Wajd El-Matary

Guest User