By Donna Nevel
Political sensitivity and thoughtfulness, depth of knowledge and analysis, deep commitment and kindness is, in my view, a perfect combination to build a movement for Justice and create meaningful change. These were characteristics, so moved and inspired me the last couple weeks as I spent time in Athens with two of the passengers from the American boat to Gaza-the Audacity of hope. Let me add that while I concentrate in this very moment on two particular individuals, I had the privilege to meet and spend time with a number of wonderful, dedicated people of all ages, backgrounds and life experiences--were all passengers on U.S. boat, was a part of the international flotilla to break the siege of Gaza.
My first experience with these two individuals--Missy Lane, 32, from Washington, DC and Max Suchan, 22, from Chicago-was watching them interact with others. They both seemed to listen carefully to all around them said and respond respectfully and kindly if they agreed or not. They are a passionate energy and a desire to learn from and with others. My first direct contact with them confirmed my initial comments. In the next several days, continued my admiration for them to grow.
I appreciated in particular, how very aware they were of the importance of seizing this moment to bridging fighting in solidarity--, the movement to break the blockade of Gaza, which had brought them to Athens and protests taking place in Athens involving thousands and thousands of demonstrators on Syntagma Square. As a result of this consciousness connected to the activists in Athens, which fought against the austerity measures threatening people's ability to survive. In both cases, the civil society to take measures against oppressive and unjust Government and global actions and policies based on a total disregard for human rights and the right to self-determination. From Gaza to Athens, has been growing resistance against injustice, rooted in people's stories, lived experience and courage.
One evening, they invited my husband, Alan, and me to join them on Syntagma Square, where they had stood in the evening after long and exhausting days of preparatory meetings for U.S. boat. We saw immediately how naturally they were integrated into the life of movement there. After meeting Missy in the square of a booth highlighted flotilla, we went with her to meet Max and other inspiring U.S. boat passages, Steve, who was sitting with several young Palestinian refugees staying in a tent in the square. Max translated to us from Arabic to English as one of the Palestinian men described how he had been treated by the Greek police, who had told him to "go home"; It was made clear he meant for him to get out of Greece and go back to Palestine. What irony--to be treated as an outsider in the country, he was living in, and knowing that, actually, as a result of the isrælske occupation, he could not return to its original home in Palestine!
I asked Max and Missy which compounds so they between these different appearances. Missy replied that "it is quite simple." She spoke on "the relations which exist between and among people and movements, as it is about human beings defy their Governments together." Max spoke of "destructive role the u.s. Government, IMF and other global financial institutions that are responsible for some of the worst austerity measures, which the Greek people have had to endure." He also talked about the responsibility for "to talk and take measures to support the Palestinian people and oppose the role of the United States Government directly funds the oppression they face everyday." From Greece to Palestine, Max understood and articulated role and impact of oppression and exploitation.
Max also spoke about "compelling global spirit, inspiring people around the world," Noting that "people are seeking alternatives informed of this global context of the change happens everywhere. It is people acting in solidarity with each other, occupying public spaces and opposition to "as they are fighting for justice. This, he pointed out, the population of Athens in Syntagma Square; This is what the Palestinians are doing in Palestine with international aid in the form of the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign and flotillas, for example; This is what people are doing in Cairo, Wisconsin, Barcelona, Tunisia, Bahrain and elsewhere. This is the resistance; This is solidarity.
Who inspired these inspiring people? Missy spoke about civil rights activist and freedom Rider Diane Nash, if interviews, she has read. "Learning about her approach and vision of change made me more deeply consider how I look at the struggle and the concrete objectives we are trying to achieve. Max pointed to the first intifada as "an incredible moment in time, there was overwhelming, characterized by a non-violent resistance movement, which included people form every walk of life." He spoke on social transformation and people take fate into their own hands--fire resisting global oppression together as a community.
Both activists talk about the meaning of humanness. "People are social creatures seek out each other, seeking educational institutions--as fundamental to humanity, '' Max said. They both went back to the slogan for the flotilla's mission they were a part of--"live human"--and said that these words encapsulate what this mission has rooted for them.
Both are clearly inspired by love and a quest for dignity. From Syntagma streets to Arab spring to fight for Justice in Palestine, Missy and Max undoubtedly continue to build connections and relationships with and among people and movements. With humility and a sense of wisdom and expertise that those fighting for Justice bring with them the honour and connect all the brave fighters, offering their hearts and souls and editions to the worldwide movement for justice.
-Donna Nevel is a community psychologist, educator and organizer, whose work is rooted in Participatory action research and popular education. She was a part of the media team in the American boat to Gaza. (This article was contributed to PalestineChronicle.com.)
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