Taking Action Towards Change: A Journey Through Education, Race, and Global Crises

Welcome to a discussion that spans across continents, cultures, and crises. We’re going to delve into the depths of education in Gaza, the unfiltered realities of racism, and a book project that aims to tackle global challenges head-on. Strap in, keep an open mind, and prepare yourself for some radical honesty.

Education in Gaza: A Beacon of Hope

Our story begins with Dr. Raj, a member of ConnectPalestine, who along with his team is making strides to improve the education landscape in Gaza. They’re raising funds to launch an education hub in Deir El Balah, a city in the middle of the Gaza Strip. This initiative is led by Mohamed Hajjaj, a local English teacher who’s passionate about providing students with the necessary tools to embrace online learning. In an area where many students live in tents without the basic necessities, such as electricity and internet access, this hub aims to bridge the educational gap.

“Our goal is to help students join classes… to serve 1000 students Female and male the Cost is 50,000$.” – Dr. Raj

They’ve started a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to make this dream a reality. You can learn more about this initiative on their <a href=’Instagram”>https://www.instagram.com/gaza_edhub/’>Instagram page.

Unmasking Racism: The Race2Dinner Initiative

Next, we meet Regina Jackson, co-author of “White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better.” She co-founded the Race2Dinner initiative with Saira Rao to challenge the notion of ‘not being racist’ among white women. They started hosting dinners with white women to address the underlying racism, and the defensiveness often accompanying it.

“If you are not actively anti-racist, and you are white, you are racist” – Regina Jackson

Their aim is to bring about change through radical honesty, and they believe that ‘white fragility’ and ‘microaggression’ are just fancy terms for racism. Their work has led them to start writing their second book, aptly named ‘The “work”‘.

Questioning Racism: A Candid Q&A

The meeting also brought forth some thought-provoking questions on racism and how to address it. One participant, Salman, asked about the balance between illuminating biases and avoiding shaming people into further entrenching their positions. Regina responded with a powerful quote from James Baldwin, “If I love you, I have a responsibility to tell you what you don’t know.” She emphasized the need for truth and reconciliation, especially in a country like the US that has yet to completely move past slavery.

Another participant, Sana, raised the question of choosing between ‘genocide at home or abroad?’ To which, Regina replied that the choice should always be for EVERYONE’s liberation.

When asked about how to define modern racism, Regina stated bluntly, “There is no such thing as race. It was invented by the catholic church to enslave black people. Racism was invented for profit.”

The Polycrisis Book: A Collective Effort

Finally, we discussed the Polycrisis book project, a collection of essays aiming to address global challenges. The book hopes to bring together diverse voices to demonstrate the interconnected nature of today’s challenges, and inspire informed, collective action. All proceeds from the book will directly fund the critical work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

If you’re interested in contributing your skills, knowledge, and passion, the project team is always looking for additional members to join their cause.

Stepping into Power: Everyday Affirmations

As we wrap up this journey, let’s take a moment to reflect on Regina’s daily affirmations. She states, “I affirm myself. I know who I am. I have done the work. I am not letting others tell me who I am. STEP INTO YOUR POWER.”

So, how about it? Are you ready to step into your power? Ready to change the world, one action at a time? Let’s get started.

Freedom Advocacy Network

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