Leron Barton in Newsweek:
Many use the word solidarity when describing a bond with friends, coworkers, and teammates, but I like to apply the word when describing a fight for shared interests between different types of people, whether it be the battle against racism, LGBTQ+ rights, and labor—solidarity speaks of unity. “When one wins, we all win. When one dies, we all die.” Those words from older activists echo loud today. As a Black man in America, I feel empathy for the people of Palestine. I stand with them. Like millions around the world, I have been focused on the war between Israel and Hamas. What started out as a retaliation for the rocket attack by Hamas on southern Israel during the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah has turned into a barrage of gunfire, bombs, and the potential destruction of Gaza.
As I watched the news and read reports about the conditions in Gaza, I said to myself, “This is another reason to be xenophobic and bigoted towards people in the Middle East.” I began learning about what I would refer to as “The Conflict” years ago. I would always sit with my Grandfather and watch news reports about the 75-year-old battle in Palestine. My family members would comment “It is sad what’s going on over there. They are taking their land.” Later, I read The Case For Israel by Alan Dershowitz, as well as essays and interviews by Palestinian scholars and activists such as Zena Agha. I wanted to read “both sides” to get an understanding of what was happening.
More here.