Hello from the Fog and Fame Coffee Shop,
It is Saturday; it is homecoming weekend for the university (and the high school); and it is raining steadily for the 6th straight weekend. I am sad about the continuing weekend washouts because it makes two-wheeled journeys to an area diner for breakfast impossible. It does make staying in to grade more reasonable, and the dozens of extra students this semester require productive weekends; so perhaps this is divine intervention saying me from my lack of discipline, something that does plague me from time to time.
As our world is one week into the latest tragic outbreak of violence, declared war, the forced evacuation of Northern Gaza, and yet another profound humanitarian crisis, I find myself struggling to understand where I stand. I imagine I am like many in my generation, taught about the right Israel had to exist. Likewise my visits to Auschwitz, Dachau, and Buchenwald influence my perspective. Sitting in the classes of Dr. Annamarie Orla-Bulowska, one of foremost brilliant scholars of Jewish life, taught me about tue complexity of the Jewish identity in ways I never imagined. Even my own work on Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his push against Hitler and his pogram have influenced my perspective. And yet at what cost? Most simply in a way that had caused my knowledge to be quite one-sided.
Certainly, as is common, my perception is strongly influenced by the position of our (my) government. While I remember the Camp David accord under President Carter, and I am aware of the Oslo Accord, I had little idea until I took the time to read about them over the past week. And as much as I have considered Israel’s action to be self-preserving, I too often over-simplify the complexity of the Palestinian peoples, and too often buy into the perception that all Muslim (and I use this term intentionally) actions are against Israel. I, too often, lump all Middle Eastern people into the same large basket. How foolish! How contrary to everything I supposedly teach in my classes. The last week has created a crisis for my soul, for my brain, and for my emotions. While I realize Hamas is the controlling body of Gaza, I have no clear sense of how many people there have a supportive perspective of the militant group. When I see the control that Israel has over the area, I find myself questioning how different Gaza is from the Ghettos the Jewish people were confined to through history. Maybe I am naïve, but if so, please help me understand.
It seems there is a generational divide among Americans about the situation in Gaza also. There are questions about the idea of lex talionis in the current Israeli response. While I want to believe that Hamas is as barbaric as told, I cannot believe the majority of 2.3 million people in Gaza support those actions. So is the response of the IDF appropriate? Again, I ask this because of my lack of knowledge and perspective. And still I read about what happened when at the music festival or hearing yesterday, that Hamas is executing a hostage an hour (I think this was on NPR). I try to find a reasonable position between believing most Palestinian people want to live their lives reasonably and as such, no differently than Israelis. And yet the history of war, the statements of annihilation, the military occupation makes it so difficult to see the life of the typical family, from either side. Needing safe rooms in one’s home, or the bombing of a hospital (and there are statements from both sides blaming the other) are beyond the pale in terms of the inhumanity, the atrocity, or yes, even the criminality of such actions. And I sit in the safety and comfort of my home writing about it all. What can I do differently to cause, to advocate change? It is that very question that tears at the pit of my stomach, that has me awake at 2:00 a.m..
As I write this, the President is either in route or has landed in the Middle East, our Secretary of State has been there for days, and our Defense Department has dispatched two carrier groups to the Eastern Mediterranean. Meanwhile, we have a non-functioning House of Representatives, a failed vote for Speaker last evening, and the attempted strong-arming of members by their own caucus (they can only afford four negative votes, and there were 20). The war in Ukraine is headed into another winter, which slows down all process in terms of large-scale advances; there are more provocations in the Straits of Taiwan than we often hear of; and elections in Ecuador and Poland will change the landscape of both countries and in the latter case, Central/Eastern Europe and the EU. And as I am overwhelmed with grading cover letters, resumes, and memoirs, my daily life sees little change. My life, in spite of student needs, seems mundane in the midst of such global turmoil. I find myself exclaiming, “¡¡Mierda!! ¿Que sigue?” And while I know I need to go about my daily life, my soul aches for a troubled world. Is there a collective way we might go about making our world more equitable, more thoughtful, more committed to genuine peace? What can I do when I genuinely do not want to merely throw up hands up in despair? I find myself wondering what the world must have felt as Hitler invaded Poland, plunging the globe into WWII? I know as a country we attempted to stay out of that as long as possible. Pearl Harbor would change that all. Some four score later, we involve ourselves to the tune of 75 billion to Ukraine (I am not saying we should not, for the record). However, it is the first time since the Truman Administration the most money we have spent on foreign aid was to a European country. The aid during Truman was as part of the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe. And yet numerous times I have read stories about the concerns we cannot manufacture munitions quickly enough. What does this say about our world?
I see a parallel between the acrimonious atmosphere in our government to the mordant actions or reactions in our world politic. Is it merely idealism on my part to wish for something better? Is it naïveté on my part to believe we can be better? When I listen to, read about, or bear witness the incivility that seems more the norm than the exception, I find myself exclaiming like the Psalmist’s lament, “How long O Lord?” It might be easy to hang my head and want, like Jeremiah, to say I do not know how to speak or I do not know what I can do. And yet I believe we are called to stand up and cry out against the hate, the fear, and the inequity that seems so prevalent. I know most of what I question here is complex, but difficulty should never stop the questions. Struggle is endemic to our humanity. Questioning injustice or arguing the inappropriate use of power is not only necessary, it is fundamental if we are to have hope for a future that values life.
It is about 5 days since I began this blog, and each day, as I go about my daily life, living in the comfort of my privileged life in North-central Pennsylvania, I cannot help of feel the guilt of my privilege. I cannot help but wonder if all the flying of diplomats and Presidents will result in a Middle East where both Jews and Palestinians might be equally valued and given a chance to live without fear? I wonder if an autocratic Russian President could ever change course, realizing that the Soviet Union of the 20th Century will not be resurrected in the Europe of today? I also realize these questions are from my comfortable room in my safe home, a very different safe place than many other places in our world. I wonder and imagine what we have done as I lay awake, writing to clear out my brain for at least a few minutes or a couple of hours. It matters for my soul because much of this goes back to the three mono-theistic faiths in our world and each group’s conviction of their own assurance that somehow, should you believe in such a being, their God ordains their actions. For me, it seems my soul at moments does not cry out, it only cries.
Thank you as always for reading.
Dr. Martin
thewritingprofessor55 
Dr. Martin,
As I delve into your words, I’m struck by the profound resonance and empathy I feel with your perspective on the ongoing global events and tragedies. It’s as if my own soul echoes the ache for a coherent understanding and a path toward solutions. Yet, I’m also confronted with the sobering realization that my grasp on the situation is limited, and my perspective falls short of comprehending the depth and reasons behind these unfolding events.
Your articulation of experiencing the “guilt of my privilege” struck a deep chord within me, resonating with the emotions I’ve grappled with as I’ve observed the events in Gaza unfold through the lens of my computer screen and social media feeds. It’s a constant struggle, this sensation that compels me to take more meaningful action in addressing the global issues at hand. Yet, the more I seek, the more I find myself confronted with a sense of helplessness and frustration as if the answers remain elusive.
The profound sickening feeling that engulfs me stems from the awareness of these heinous atrocities inflicted upon innocent people. It compels me to engage in an empathetic exercise, imagining myself in the shoes of Israeli families, striving to comprehend the anguish as if it were my own blood bearing the brunt of this suffering. This introspective approach extends to other global conflicts, such as the Ukrainian-Russian war. In doing so, I begin to fathom the complexity of these situations, recognizing that they defy simplistic resolutions, as I navigate the intricate emotional landscapes on both sides of these conflicts.
Delving further into your thoughts, I’m drawn to your emphasis on the significance of questioning our surroundings. Your perspective resonates with me as I wholeheartedly concur that if we aspire to construct a future that truly cherishes life, we must persistently inquire and explore. Our ever-evolving society constantly unveils fresh challenges, and inevitably, some dilemmas lack straightforward solutions. In such moments, the act of questioning becomes imperative, for it is through these inquiries that we retain the capacity and determination to pursue the betterment of all. To relinquish this right is to relinquish our duty to the collective advancement of humanity.
Much like your other thought-provoking blog posts, this one also deeply resonates with me. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has remained a subject of my keen awareness, explored through various channels, and your perspective seems to perfectly encapsulate the emotions I’ve been grappling with. Describing my sentiments and the limitations of my perspective has often proven to be a formidable challenge. Your post, however, provides immense value by reassuring me that I’m not alone in navigating these intricate emotions tied to this issue. Once again, it has been my pleasure to read your words.
Thank you,
Tyler Lobos
I always find myself struggling with these sort of conflicts. In the past, my emotions would flare up and I would tend to side with whatever narrative the propagandist was conveying on television. In my maturity, I have come to know that what you hear isn’t always what is truly happening. You receive news from several different media outlets, newspapers, social media posts, etc, and it all ends up making my head spin. So many different and conflicting viewpoints! Likewise, when you add in rumors of false-flag operations and disinformation campaigns, it further adds to the complexity.
I find myself now throwing my hands up and saying to hell with whatever is happening. I will decide more on the matter when it directly impacts me. I’m still trying to figure out if that specific response is the key to inner peace or if it is really just irresponsible and routed in selfishness. I don’t know. I’m not “old” per say but I’ve borne witness to enough global crisis’s that from my perspective, taking a side or opinion in the matter won’t change the outcome. If anything, will most likely cause social turmoil when discussing the matter to someone with opposing views.
All in all, the conflict between Israel and Palestine is saddening at best. I can see how both sides have been the “aggressor” and the “oppressed.” I can’t make sense of it, nor can I form a “correct” opinion of it all. I just hope that at the end of things everyone can coexist and find the ability to forgive.
A Matter for my Soul
Dr. Martin,
I think the whole situation with Ukraine, Israel, and northern Gaza scares me. We are fortunate enough to live in the United States and not directly impacted by these conflicts, but I am worried that these conflicts will soon escalate. Right now there are conflicts on the other side of the world but I am worried that we could get dragged into some conflict. We have always had our disagreements with Russians, and I hope we don’t get dragged into a direct conflict. It is upsetting to me that all we can do right now is watch as these civilians are dragged into a war to protect themselves and their homeland. All we can do as a country is send aid. My concern with this aid we are sending is it is a weapon used to fight and kill other people. Regardless of which side I don’t think it is fair to throw these men at each other and tell them to kill each other. I am certain many soldiers on both sides don’t even want to fight. This conflict was started by their government, and they are then thrown at the enemy for something they don’t even agree with. It is sad to hear the stories of the soldiers sent to Ukraine by Russia that are ill-equipped and don’t want to be there. I agree with you that we cannot fully understand what these people are going through and we can’t relate to their loss. These conflicts are horrible, and I cannot imagine what they are going through. I like how you related these conflicts to what the world must have felt as Hitler invaded Poland, eventually starting WWII. I truly hope that this conflict can just end and not escalate to other places. Unfortunately, these people are thrown into these conflicts, but I do not want this to become bigger. I am scared that this could turn into WW3 and affect even more people.
Dr. Martin,
I appreciate your thoughts and concern for a matter and situation that has been ongoing for several decades. I believe that many people across the world including myself, aren’t fully educated on this topic and it’s important to spread correct information and bring more awareness to this barbaric “war.” The reason I put war in quotes is simply because of where I stand in this conflict. Israel and most Western media outlets label this horror show as “Israel at war” when it is simply not true. Palestine doesn’t even have an army and if you check the death rates and damage in both countries, “war” isn’t the correct word to describe the matter. However, I am not claiming that Israel shouldn’t have the right to be its own country, but I do believe Palestine has every right to function as its own nation and regain portions of their land. The state of Palestine makes me sick to my stomach and I struggle to go about my everyday business several times a day. It has gotten to the point where I feel guilty that I even sleep and eat comfortably knowing that the people of Palestine are praying to see another day. Some have gotten to the point where seeing another day is not even worth the pain and suffering they experience.
If I’ve learned anything from these past couple of weeks, it is how strong the people of Palestine are and I am inspired to have the strength and bravery that is instilled in them. It’s a shame they have had to show these traits heartbreakingly but the point still stands. The amount of children who have passed away as martyrs and the everlasting pain Palestinians will endure is tragic. According to a recent statistic, more children have been killed in the span of three weeks in Gaza than in all of the world’s conflicts combined over the past three years. (AP news) I truly believe we have failed as humanity when we have to convince each other that killing children is not okay. Some may feel as though I’m dramatic with that approach but I can’t sit here as I type this post from the comfort of my home, believing that we are succeeding as a humanity.
In addition, one of the biggest problems I have with this situation is regarding Israel and how they view themselves. They have always victimized themselves for decades which I find questionable. Personally, I have never witnessed a victim bombing their oppressors nonstop but if I’m wrong, I’d love to be corrected. Furthermore, when was the last time we have ever seen a nation or military force warn civilians before bombing them and think that it’s perfectly fine to continue with their genocide? The truth is, we haven’t. As I learn more from this cruel conflict, I can’t help but wonder what is the point behind all of these attacks. What does Israel hope to achieve by mass murdering innocent women and children? From the amount of research I’ve done, Israel’s apparent aim is to wipe out Hamas who they believe live amongst the civilians of Gaza. This leads us to believe that they also intend for the innocent Palestinian community to turn against Hamas so that the genocide can end as part of the goal. However, this is precisely what terrorist groups do because they kill innocent civilians to spread fear in hopes that they turn against their government. Now my question is, what makes Israel any different from another terrorist organization like ISIS?
Not to mention, this entire conflict has raised hate crimes towards Muslims in the West because of misleading information, and lies being conveyed through news outlets. A seven-year-old boy was murdered by a seventy-one-year-old man yelling “All Muslims can die” simply because of a matter that doesn’t involve the innocent child. I will always try to persuade those who want to have a voice in this conflict to take some time and effort to research before standing with a side. These days news and social media outlets often like to twist information and spread lies to fit their agenda and that’s the unfortunate reality. Again, I want to reestablish my idea that I am not claiming for Israelis and Jews to be punished and murdered like the Palestinians. Innocent lives of Israeli civilians have also been lost and no one wants death on either side. I did not mean for this post to come across as offensive by any means, I am simply sharing my thoughts and wouldn’t mind anyone replying to this post sharing their own ideas and beliefs. At the end of the day, I just want peace between these two nations and although it looks slim, it’s more of a reason to go for it and push for peace and prosperity between the two. -Ziad Zakik
I wanted to go back to an older blog post to see what you have been talking about over the years As a 19-year-old girl I sometimes struggle to keep up with current events, this might also stem from the fact that growing up the news was never on in my house. This is because my parents didn’t want me to see the bad in the world yet. I think sometimes we take for granted where we live, I don’t fear for my life every time I go take a walk or step outside my house. When the USA gets involved with all these other countries it gets scary because if one day we are not stong enough to protect against them anymore. For now, we are and I am grateful for that. I think that the older I get the more I realize I need to keep up with current events because this is happening in the places I know and where I live so keeping more up to date with current events is on my do list. Thank you for sharing and being transparent in this blog response.