For many including myself, the iconic rose-colored glasses that we clung to representing the hope in mankind and leaders are forever shattered. This is not an emotional experience that I’m alone in, this is something many grieve the stark reality we all now face. It is a change in trust that everyone is acknowledging as a whole and the loss of trust we had in mankind and in leaders. The loss in mankind has nothing to do with the efforts of those who are fighting for Palestine and protecting human rights, but for those who are smashing the rose colored glasses with the bombs that shatter the hospitals, mosques, churches, schools, aid organizations, bakeries, and homes. The blame should never be misplaced, it is Israel and the US that shook so many out of the hope realm and into this reality that is inescapable and dire. It is also those who choose inaction instead of assistance, those who spread the lies of Israel, those who attack pro-Palestinian supporters, and those who are silent have also assisted in the irrevocable destruction of the rose-colored glasses.
What we are experiencing is a fundamental shift in the global public’s understanding that their elected leaders are not representing them, that leaders across the world are trying to silence their constituency, and as a result everyone is losing trust in elected officials. Governments wouldn’t stand without their voters, the power is with the people across this world. Every person in their country should fight to bring the power to the people. Elected officials have proven where their loyalties are- profit.
The war in Gaza could be over if world leaders acted. The war in Gaza could be over if Biden called for an immediate ceasefire. The war in Gaza would be over if a nation called for the Genocide Convention. The war in Gaza would be over if leaders united and sanctioned and embargoed both Israel and the US.
Lives are expendable to these leaders. There is no exception, profit matters more to them than lives.
Countries across this world are silencing pro-Palestinian protesters. Universities are silencing students across the world. Many protesters are arrested. These attacks on free speech are from many countries that claim to be progressive, but these actions against free speech are nothing but fascist authoritarianism. Some even attacking actual sayings like “From the river to the sea,” and, “Stop genocide.” The entire world is out of balance. Every country is facing a very similar issue- the leaders are overstepping their powers against the citizens. With these attempts on speech, leaders across the world have affectively turned the blood stained shards of those rose colored glasses into dust. People around the globe are losing trust in their government especially when they are speaking out to help Palestinians who are suffering.
I think what drives the pain and loss of trust deeper is that there are people attacking someone who wants to end the deaths of innocent Palestinians. How can that be wrong or silenced? Why wouldn’t you want to end the suffering that has drawn on for over a month? THAT is why the rose-colored glasses will never be repaired, because so many want people to die and suffer. We cannot avoid this truth. Almost as bad as the people who actively spread misinformation or attack human rights protesters, are the people who could take a stand and choose to be silent and apathetic to the reality they, too, face but refuse. Their silence and inactions only aids the ones who want to silence, the oppressors.
Everyone is drowning in helplessness and powerlessness as a whole, because governments want us to feel impotent, which is why they are taking these measure to silence free speech, but everyone is experiencing this collective powerlessness because leaders are not listening to the cries of their voters. Thousands are protesting in cities all over the world calling for a ceasefire in Palestine and protection for Palestinians. Millions are uniting in a voice for peace in Palestine, but these millions are not heard and there is a great loss of trust when it is realized that these leaders do not care even for their voters. This does not matter what country you are in (excluding a very small few who have taken major steps like Belgium).
Your voice matters, otherwise they wouldn’t want to silence it and control it. Together, our voices matter when we unify for humanity and peace. This is a fight for both, never forget that. This is a fight that matters tremendously to the outcome of this world for history forever.
If humanity continues to descend down this path, the world will be lost to an evil that will continue to consume power and freedoms. Since there was no accountability, this evil will now have an excuse to create greater evil in the future. This pushes the boundaries for evil. All along, this entire time, leaders and governments have been slowly pushing these boundaries on citizens and now we are at the present and the loss of rights and the pushing of the boundaries is apparent.
Bring the power to the people. It’s time the entire world addresses these issues because we all face the same losses. If every country could place the power back to the people and away from elected officials and leaders, but in voter’s hands, then we could truly work together on a global level for peace because voters would be heard and their needs represented. When people are heard, and their basic needs met, there is peace, prosperity, and harmony. If leaders actually addressed the issues of their voters, this world would be at peace and people’s needs would be met. This power structure is broken and the power must go to the people, to the voters.
Our leaders have told us where they stand. It’s time we take a stand and let them know that they have lost their power and authority. It is time for people to have the power.
Those beautiful glasses will never be worn again. We must see this world for what it is and not avoid the truth. Humanity depends on this. Remember, you are not in this alone. You matter. Your voice matters. Let it be heard. May your voice be from a place of love always, the greatest power we have to save humanity. Maybe even more so in these times of unrelenting pain, choosing love means even more.
Fight for Palestine! Fight for their freedom! Fight for the freedom of everyone!
From the river to the sea, may Palestine be free.
Protest. Volunteer. Organize. Vote third party. Boycott. Contact elected officials. Share the stories from Palestine. Share the news from Palestine. Share the history from Palestine. Donate to humanitarian organizations.