This is absolutely spot on, and so important. It’s everything to see those whose views we find abhorrent as just afraid deep down, because when offered understanding and dignity, people can be capable of so much more. There is a better person in every one of us and whether the world threatens or welcomes us is the biggest decider of whether we can afford to expose that. Thank you so much for sharing these insights. I wish more people could understand this. You’re right that it’s even harder to act on, but starting small - giving some compassion to people who just annoy you - can be a good way to start generating the rewards and it becomes a snowball from there.
Alisa, I really enjoyed this post. Thank you so much. It's refreshing to see a progressive take on Gaza that doesn't damn the Jewish people in the process. I am so heart broken by the Israeli government's actions in Gaza, but more so by how many on the progressive left have fallen into antisemitic beliefs and rhetoric. I wrote about it a couple of weeks ago. I'd be honored if you read my essay: https://jefffeldman111274.substack.com/p/if-you-prick-us-do-we-not-bleed
Thank you for this. How do we talk to those people seemingly living in different realities? ( my dad and stepmother also former hippies who now watch nothing but fox news) reasoning, showing "proof" nothing has shifted them. They call me a radical because I live in Portland, Oregon and go to protests. They now don't want "men in women's bathrooms or immigrants taking over". I've had to stop talking to them and so have my other 3 siblings. It's so sad. I've recently had to tell a friend I can't hang out with her and her husband because they support some of tRumps policies...and I tried to put that to the side as we formed a friendship. I knew I should have listened to the 'red flag' that went off in my body when I pulled up to their house adorned with the american flagfor the first time in 2021. But I thought, I can try, I can try damn it-- to see other sides of them---to see their humanity. And I did they are so kind people in so many ways. ... Turns out I'd rather not spend my friend-time being stressed in conversations or having to hold back or just argue...I'd rather find friends who align with my values. I'm trying hard not to feel guilt or shame for not being able to bridge those gaps. My nervous system just can't handle it at the moment. But will we as a society be able to find a way if many of us can't even talk to family or friends...its a mindf*ck and a heartbreak all at the same time.
1) A powerful history of the last 1,500 years, of which most people are completely ignorant.
2) A lucid explanation of the brain chemistry and psychology of FEAR — of the other, of the unknown, of the world itself.
Here's the hard part for. me. People who are trapped in that worldview, that fear, that hatred, have a whole media architecture to reinforce their helplessness. I occasionally make efforts to break on through to friends and acquaintances who are obviously good people but are trapped in this unreal reality. But they always have a fresh outrage to feed their fear and anger. "You're making a good point that not all immigrants are criminals, but what about her emails?"
It's good that you keep trying....And to come around now?... to admit you might have been wrong about all of this? Not gonna happen with my family. Shame has always been a big player in family dynamics and what stops many people from "seeing" the truth...But I think we need to make space- a no-shaming space- for those who want out of the cult.
I have seen so many people who also feel that the only way to fight white supremacy towards Jewish people is to feed it by discriminating against Palestinians. This backward way of thinking is so common among white "allies" when there is currently no consensus among Jewish people regarding this issue. So many conversations are happening among Jewish leaders and community members who have centered peace and equality with Palestinians but much like any group, the loudest are those being the most hateful and people take those voices as the leading Viewpoint. It is terrifying how quickly people jump to victim blaming Palestinians and targeting them out of some messed up sense of white saviorhood. I am glad for all those speaking up in defense of Palestinians including Jewish and Muslim leadership. We need peaceful rhetoric now more than ever.
Spot on. It pains me to see Israel behaving this we, but there s no justification Israel’s military actions since at least early 2024. It is indefensible and criminal.
However, I do want to make a historical correction. The Ottoman Empire never controlled Spain or Portugal. The Iberian Peninsula was conquered in the 8th century by Arab Muslims. Their capital was Damascus. The Ottoman Turks arrived on the scene much later and their empire never reached the Iberian Peninsula. Regardless, you are right about the Ottoman child soldiers influencing the Spanish. During the rise of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century, Spain had the strongest military in the Christian world. Spain also ruled southern Italy and Sicily. Spanish armies fought against the Ottomans in battles and raids all around the Mediterranean. And as this was when the Ottoman Empire was still expanding, the Christian armies were often on the losing side of battles. The Spanish would have been quite familiar with Ottoman military practices and taken that experience to the Americas. In other words, everything you said about Ottoman violence against Spain and her allies leading to Spanish violence against Indigenous peoples in the American is true, it just happened in other places in Europe rather than within the current boundaries of Spain.
It is rare to hear about Genizaro even in New Mexico. I appreciate you putting the concept into words here. People removed from their context and community by force lose the ability to become attached to others, especially in a positive way. I lived in the San Ildefonso checkerboard for most of the nineties, and got a close up view of social connection and disconnection in action. Isolation and poverty, whether material or spiritual, prey on individuals and societies in brutal ways. It takes a great deal of effort to create connections that encourage growth and community. You are doing that work here. Thank you.
Truth does indeed matter, and omission and implication should not be tools to prove a point.
This is absolutely spot on, and so important. It’s everything to see those whose views we find abhorrent as just afraid deep down, because when offered understanding and dignity, people can be capable of so much more. There is a better person in every one of us and whether the world threatens or welcomes us is the biggest decider of whether we can afford to expose that. Thank you so much for sharing these insights. I wish more people could understand this. You’re right that it’s even harder to act on, but starting small - giving some compassion to people who just annoy you - can be a good way to start generating the rewards and it becomes a snowball from there.
Beautifully said.
Alisa, I really enjoyed this post. Thank you so much. It's refreshing to see a progressive take on Gaza that doesn't damn the Jewish people in the process. I am so heart broken by the Israeli government's actions in Gaza, but more so by how many on the progressive left have fallen into antisemitic beliefs and rhetoric. I wrote about it a couple of weeks ago. I'd be honored if you read my essay: https://jefffeldman111274.substack.com/p/if-you-prick-us-do-we-not-bleed
Thank you for this. How do we talk to those people seemingly living in different realities? ( my dad and stepmother also former hippies who now watch nothing but fox news) reasoning, showing "proof" nothing has shifted them. They call me a radical because I live in Portland, Oregon and go to protests. They now don't want "men in women's bathrooms or immigrants taking over". I've had to stop talking to them and so have my other 3 siblings. It's so sad. I've recently had to tell a friend I can't hang out with her and her husband because they support some of tRumps policies...and I tried to put that to the side as we formed a friendship. I knew I should have listened to the 'red flag' that went off in my body when I pulled up to their house adorned with the american flagfor the first time in 2021. But I thought, I can try, I can try damn it-- to see other sides of them---to see their humanity. And I did they are so kind people in so many ways. ... Turns out I'd rather not spend my friend-time being stressed in conversations or having to hold back or just argue...I'd rather find friends who align with my values. I'm trying hard not to feel guilt or shame for not being able to bridge those gaps. My nervous system just can't handle it at the moment. But will we as a society be able to find a way if many of us can't even talk to family or friends...its a mindf*ck and a heartbreak all at the same time.
1) A powerful history of the last 1,500 years, of which most people are completely ignorant.
2) A lucid explanation of the brain chemistry and psychology of FEAR — of the other, of the unknown, of the world itself.
Here's the hard part for. me. People who are trapped in that worldview, that fear, that hatred, have a whole media architecture to reinforce their helplessness. I occasionally make efforts to break on through to friends and acquaintances who are obviously good people but are trapped in this unreal reality. But they always have a fresh outrage to feed their fear and anger. "You're making a good point that not all immigrants are criminals, but what about her emails?"
Tough sledding.
It's good that you keep trying....And to come around now?... to admit you might have been wrong about all of this? Not gonna happen with my family. Shame has always been a big player in family dynamics and what stops many people from "seeing" the truth...But I think we need to make space- a no-shaming space- for those who want out of the cult.
I have seen so many people who also feel that the only way to fight white supremacy towards Jewish people is to feed it by discriminating against Palestinians. This backward way of thinking is so common among white "allies" when there is currently no consensus among Jewish people regarding this issue. So many conversations are happening among Jewish leaders and community members who have centered peace and equality with Palestinians but much like any group, the loudest are those being the most hateful and people take those voices as the leading Viewpoint. It is terrifying how quickly people jump to victim blaming Palestinians and targeting them out of some messed up sense of white saviorhood. I am glad for all those speaking up in defense of Palestinians including Jewish and Muslim leadership. We need peaceful rhetoric now more than ever.
Spot on. It pains me to see Israel behaving this we, but there s no justification Israel’s military actions since at least early 2024. It is indefensible and criminal.
However, I do want to make a historical correction. The Ottoman Empire never controlled Spain or Portugal. The Iberian Peninsula was conquered in the 8th century by Arab Muslims. Their capital was Damascus. The Ottoman Turks arrived on the scene much later and their empire never reached the Iberian Peninsula. Regardless, you are right about the Ottoman child soldiers influencing the Spanish. During the rise of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century, Spain had the strongest military in the Christian world. Spain also ruled southern Italy and Sicily. Spanish armies fought against the Ottomans in battles and raids all around the Mediterranean. And as this was when the Ottoman Empire was still expanding, the Christian armies were often on the losing side of battles. The Spanish would have been quite familiar with Ottoman military practices and taken that experience to the Americas. In other words, everything you said about Ottoman violence against Spain and her allies leading to Spanish violence against Indigenous peoples in the American is true, it just happened in other places in Europe rather than within the current boundaries of Spain.
It is rare to hear about Genizaro even in New Mexico. I appreciate you putting the concept into words here. People removed from their context and community by force lose the ability to become attached to others, especially in a positive way. I lived in the San Ildefonso checkerboard for most of the nineties, and got a close up view of social connection and disconnection in action. Isolation and poverty, whether material or spiritual, prey on individuals and societies in brutal ways. It takes a great deal of effort to create connections that encourage growth and community. You are doing that work here. Thank you.