Coming back, and this one isn't about games.
Hey, Intelligamers. I feel like this is supposed to be a space to chat about what's happened recently in Intelligame. And for as much as I'd like to, I just can't start this one out like that.
This email's about Palestine. Take any care you may need.
I haven't sent out an email since October 6th, even though I've tried writing this at least 10 times. To just "write a newsletter" and not somehow mention so much of what's happened since October 7th: Hamas' surprise attack on Israel, Israel's counter attack that has continued to genocidal proportions for months since then.
To not talk about the massive outcry for both Palestinian and Jewish lives: for the people killed in Hamas' surprise attack, for those killed in the ongoing assaults in Palestine. For hostages captured in Israel and currently held by Hamas. For those held hostage by the IDF, both directly in Israeli prisons as well as those being held hostage at-large: millions displaced by the destruction of their homes and towns, fleeing a continuous siege where the "safe zones" they're corralled to often end up simply becoming the next bombing target.
And that says nothing of the lives of Arab people and Jewish people around the world affected by the shift in politics.
Still, please don't mistake this as some kind of "both sides"-ism. Being completely clear, my concerns for the people of Gaza, of Palestine and beyond, don't numb me to the pains and outcries of Israelis seeking justice for their hurt, killed, or missing loved ones at the hands of Hamas. But comparing the aid and weaponry flowing from multiple Western governments to Israel against the the months-long campaign that Israel's staged, the starvation and famine and terror that so many Palestinians currently face...the apartheid conditions they lived in prior to October 7th, the rhetoric and actions from Israeli officials leading even the International Court of Justice to rule their actions all but genocidal...
The power imbalance, the racism, the intent...heavy as the word is, the intent for what amounts to genocide seems quite clear.
Every day, Gazans like Bisan Owda post on social media, balancing raising awareness with fighting for survival. Some of these people are grieving so, so much...the loss of family, lifestyle, hope, future...and then a camera shows up and they have to find a way to tell their story, wishing that they can make some impact.
Here in the games space, Arab people like Intelligamer Alex A.K., as well as Rami Ismail, Nadia Shammas, Tamoor Hussain, and so many others have posted virtually non-stop since October 7th, and made their voices heard advocating for people in the Arab world well before then. People Make Games published a fantastic video featuring Tamoor, Rami, as well as Rasheed Abueideh. Rasheed currently lives in Palestine in the West Bank, and he's posted about struggling to get through checkpoints, losing power due to bombings, etc.
The situation is, has been, and will continue to be dire.
But these people keep posting, keep talking and protesting and showing up both when they see a path forward and when they're in despair. They have to balance experiencing their suffering and trauma with explaining it, performing their pain and anguish and loss for the world in hopes that others see and take action.
It's horrible. I feel degrees of it whenever I have to try to "explain" that Black Lives Matter. It was particularly stark in 2020 after George Floyd was murdered.
But to watch an entire population of people who look like you be gunned down, pushed out, looted... YOUR population, documenting their own decimation. To, like some, end up being the last surviving member of your family line, whether in Palestine or because you're abroad.
I don't know it at that scale first-hand. But I feel elements of it. And, if I'm honest with you?
I'm angry. So incredibly angry. Angry in a way that I can't imagine what others must be feeling.
But, even still, these people keep posting. They keep talking and protesting and showing up. When they see a path forward and when they're in despair and when they're FURIOUS.
They have to balance experiencing their suffering and trauma with explaining it, performing their pain and anguish and loss for the world in hopes that others see and take action.
So yeah, it would be great if we could just talk about games.
It would be great if they could just talk about games.
But they don't. We don't.
And, hard as it may be, we all make a difference.
My first instinct is to say that I don't know that things will get better soon, but I don't think that's right.
I still hold hope that leaders, particularly the ones here in the United States that are enabling Israel's genocide with weapons and foreign aid, will come to their senses and not only make the call for a ceasefire, for negotiations and reparations and holding Benjamin Netanyahu and others accountable for their actions and crimes.
Do I think I'll see it happen? Not particularly. But do I have faith in those folks, in that system? Not so much.
I place my faith is in us. I aim to search for hope at all times, to create hope at all costs.
Where I do see things getting better, where my hope comes in, is in seeing more and more people wake up to the cost of this violence, to a stronger understanding of the ways we've been lied to over time. I find hope in the fact that, even months removed from October 7th, there are still so many people talking about Palestine, so many people calling for change. That number will continue to grow.
You Intelligamers have helped me maintain hope, too. We've run fundraisers for Medical Aid for Palestinians, we've held protest streams to support Gaza and global strikes. We've talked about Palestine over and over again in a range of streams and contexts, we've found ways to take actions large and small. When I've been afraid that folks are tiring of the discussion, you've come in and shown me otherwise. Thank you so much for that.
Try as many politicians might, this won't be swept under the rug. Awareness is rising in the public consciousness about not just what terrible things are happening, but the ways that many of our own governments enable or are complicit in those atrocities. That's on top of the issues we're handling here at home too, whether they're social, political, or even just trying to keep the bills paid...
It's an intimidating time, no doubt.
But, for all of the fear and the sadness and the ANGER I'm feeling... I'm choosing to look towards hope amidst it all.
I ask you: keep hope in your heart.
Trust that there are others who care, who want an brighter future. There are people who will keep pushing us forward when you need to rest. There are people who will support you when you wish to stand. There are people you can lean on when you need support. There are people who will welcome your support when you're able and ready to offer it.
I'm choosing hope by pushing forward in the ways I know best: meaningful conversations, making space for vulnerability and empathy. Finding a path forward alongside a community of others who care. Those are my tools.
So today, I ask you to consider: what are your tools? What are your ways of keeping your own spark lit, of lighting others flames? How can you make an impact in your community?
If it would help you, feel free to reply to this email and tell me your tools, or process or ask questions. I'll respond to all replies, though know it may take me some time.
I'll talk about games soon, promise. We've had amazing discussions on stream, and I'm still so inspired by so much of the gaming space...there's so much worth discussing (and worth celebrating, there ARE good things lol) But I appreciate you making the space and time for this.
If you're able and interested, there's an international protest being held today, March 2nd, supporting those in Rafah, the section of Palestine where many have currently been corralled and where it seems the next Israeli ground offensive will take place.
You can learn more about the protest movement at ShutItDown4Palestine.org, and you can find a number of various protest locations at AnswerCoalition.com. Even if you're not able to make it out, consider sharing some social media support, or make a donation to an organization or mutual aid if you can. Even just sending some thoughts of goodwill matters.
Amidst it all, keep your eyes up. Keep your hearts open.
Keep Hope.
Free Palestine.
Keep Intelligaming,
-Josh
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