Image created by ChatGPT based on the second paragraph of this post. I often hear this comment from well-meaning US colleagues: "This is not who we are." Perhaps it's a manifestation of wishful thinking rooted in the mistaken belief that MAGA 2.0 is an aberration. My interior monologue always quickly responds, "This is exactly who … Continue reading It’s Not Trump. It’s America.
Articles
Martyrs of Knowledge: Remembering Gaza’s University Professors
The Islamic University of Gaza after the genocide. Photo by Huda Skaik. (For every scene of destruction think "Israel" and its benefactors.) I'm pleased to share this 27.2.26 article by Alaa Dmeida, a twenty-year-old English Literature student at the Islamic University of Gaza, and a writer who discovered her passion for writing and telling the … Continue reading Martyrs of Knowledge: Remembering Gaza’s University Professors
Humanity is the Only Community That Matters
ChatGPT created this image based on the essay. This line jumped off the screen. It's from a Substack essay entitled A Day of Grief, Rage & Gratitude by Einat Temkin, a Mexican Jewish woman who wrote that, "The last three days, culminating in two concurrent funerals, literally just ended my ties with Judaism itself, forevermore. … Continue reading Humanity is the Only Community That Matters
As an International Student, Belonging Is Conditional
Discussions about ICE are personal for international students and reshape their future plans, our essayist writes. She argues gratitude and love for country can coexist with uncertainty about belonging. Courtesy of Danita This isn’t a rejection of the country I came to study in, nor is it a political statement. It’s simply the truth of what … Continue reading As an International Student, Belonging Is Conditional
Remember Hind Rajab
Here are two versions of a song I created with AI assistance and human input about Hind Rajab (2018-2024): Butterfly in the Dust - A Song for Hind Rajab. There are links to some related articles in the description. Below is an Arabic translation. We will never forget. Peace & Justice, MAA Version 1 https://youtu.be/IrMwsMDlYj0?si=mCfjkjN28ar7XSIJ … Continue reading Remember Hind Rajab
Welcome to the American Winter
"The six-car ICE convoy came to a stop and instantly dozens of people swarmed it, cellphones in hand, while others ran out of nearby houses—I saw a woman in gym shorts in the 20-degree weather—and began surrounding the masked and heavily armed agents who had spilled out of their black SUVs. The fury in the … Continue reading Welcome to the American Winter
National development is a collective responsibility
ChatGPT created this image based on the lyrics to the song I created. The image is called Unity in Vietnam's vibrant landscapes. Both versions of the song are linked below. Here's an article I wrote for the Hanoi Times. It was originally scheduled to be published around the time of the 80th anniversary independence celebrations … Continue reading National development is a collective responsibility
When Europe’s Abused Became Abusers in Palestine
This is a repost of a Substack essay (The Progressive Jew) by Robert Rosenthal, who describes himself as "a former Zionist, a Jewish progressive, and a family member of Holocaust victims." The following statement applies to me and probably many of you. I know (knew) people who fit this description: "Perhaps you’ve wondered why Zionists … Continue reading When Europe’s Abused Became Abusers in Palestine
Journalist Tests ICE Recruitment; Surprised to Find Herself Hired with No Background Check
Here are a link to a Democracy Now! interview with Laura Jedeed, a freelance journalist, and a transcript that I created. At the bottom are links to two articles by Ms. Jedeed and one about her. Here's a quote that jumps off the screen, a sentiment that's been echoed by many others who are knowledgeable … Continue reading Journalist Tests ICE Recruitment; Surprised to Find Herself Hired with No Background Check
Three Shots Kill a Mother Driving Away
Renée Good seconds before she was shot. (Source: Wikipedia) She calmly said "It's fine, dude, I’m not mad at you,” before Jonathan Ross, who was videotaping her, shot her three times and another ICE coward yelled, "Fucking bitch." This fatal encounter started with an ICE brownshirt screaming, "Get out of the fucking car!" Cruelty is … Continue reading Three Shots Kill a Mother Driving Away
An International Educator in Vietnam 
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