I went to the March in Sydney on Saturday with my son. I’m grieving the loss of my daughter, my son his only sibling/sister as a result of trauma from mens violence. I have done what I’m capable of doing to protest/support/advocate for Palestine. It was so clear on Saturday that when the conversations of the speakers turned to colonisers/First Nations people and then to Palestine and how these were intrinsically linked to violence, the energy of the crowd shifted. People were uncomfortable, sighing, talking and laughing. People left. And some comments by women on social media later described the disappoint they felt because they’d been marching for violence against “Australian” women and the organisers should have addressed that “first”. I asked the question - why is some violence more acceptable to people than others?? Thank you Clem for speaking out on this and providing information how the violence is linked. Men (and women) see every day that violence is not only acceptable, but celebrated by certain governments. Why would men see they need to change anything, when they’re seeing a genocide being live streamed and the most powerful men in the world are right there, cheering it on without consequence. I definitely don’t want to live in or advocate for a world where people think killing “them” is fine but don’t kill us!!
Well said and I am so glad you have said this outloud. Each Sunday in Melbourne the Ceasefire protest starts at 12pm at The State Library and there are always a huge number of amazing and inspiring people who attend in peace and with love. Last Sunday I thought there would be so many more men and women there as the violence against women march was literally just before this at 10am and started at the State Library as well. Why didn't they all just stay in the city and come along?? I don't understand either.
I’m with you all the way, Clem. I’ve been non stop posting and talking about Palestine and so many people I know seem to just brush it off as though it has nothing to do with them. It’s so infuriating.
I'm just devastated by all of it. Honestly I don't see anything getting any better. Men (alone and in government) will bring this world to it's knees and there's nothing we can do about it.
I think by not challenging our government’s support of Israel and not standing in solidarity with Palestine. Anyone who thinks it’s not our problem is tacitly endorsing our government’s actions. If you listen to the podcast, I explain it further - there’s also a transcript on the podcast homepage x
Violence by power and entitlement is hierarchy systems that applies across gender, race, ethnostate and imperialist agendas.
It is the same rotten core that allows, perpetuates and defends it. We must be able to see ourselves in each other.
The power dynamic that fuels oppression of women is the exact same rot that fuels killing of ‘less than’ Palestinians. It’s like destroying the beast from the root or whatever they say in dragon movies!
To speak on one and be silent on the other feels scattered in a way that gives the oppressor wiggle room. Understanding and accepting it in one’s heart has to come before speaking. We must see ‘their’ battle in ‘ours.’ We must see ‘our’ battle in ‘theirs.’ 💓
I went to the March in Sydney on Saturday with my son. I’m grieving the loss of my daughter, my son his only sibling/sister as a result of trauma from mens violence. I have done what I’m capable of doing to protest/support/advocate for Palestine. It was so clear on Saturday that when the conversations of the speakers turned to colonisers/First Nations people and then to Palestine and how these were intrinsically linked to violence, the energy of the crowd shifted. People were uncomfortable, sighing, talking and laughing. People left. And some comments by women on social media later described the disappoint they felt because they’d been marching for violence against “Australian” women and the organisers should have addressed that “first”. I asked the question - why is some violence more acceptable to people than others?? Thank you Clem for speaking out on this and providing information how the violence is linked. Men (and women) see every day that violence is not only acceptable, but celebrated by certain governments. Why would men see they need to change anything, when they’re seeing a genocide being live streamed and the most powerful men in the world are right there, cheering it on without consequence. I definitely don’t want to live in or advocate for a world where people think killing “them” is fine but don’t kill us!!
I’m so sorry about your daughter. And you’re right - the attitudes of those people are disgusting.
Well said and I am so glad you have said this outloud. Each Sunday in Melbourne the Ceasefire protest starts at 12pm at The State Library and there are always a huge number of amazing and inspiring people who attend in peace and with love. Last Sunday I thought there would be so many more men and women there as the violence against women march was literally just before this at 10am and started at the State Library as well. Why didn't they all just stay in the city and come along?? I don't understand either.
I’m with you all the way, Clem. I’ve been non stop posting and talking about Palestine and so many people I know seem to just brush it off as though it has nothing to do with them. It’s so infuriating.
We are not fucking brave enough. Each person must sit with that truth and find out if it will gnaw away at their soul or not.
I'm just devastated by all of it. Honestly I don't see anything getting any better. Men (alone and in government) will bring this world to it's knees and there's nothing we can do about it.
LOVED THIS 👏🩷
How are we "endorsing it"? Can someone please enlighten me? Tks
I think by not challenging our government’s support of Israel and not standing in solidarity with Palestine. Anyone who thinks it’s not our problem is tacitly endorsing our government’s actions. If you listen to the podcast, I explain it further - there’s also a transcript on the podcast homepage x
Thankyou Clem
Violence by power and entitlement is hierarchy systems that applies across gender, race, ethnostate and imperialist agendas.
It is the same rotten core that allows, perpetuates and defends it. We must be able to see ourselves in each other.
The power dynamic that fuels oppression of women is the exact same rot that fuels killing of ‘less than’ Palestinians. It’s like destroying the beast from the root or whatever they say in dragon movies!
To speak on one and be silent on the other feels scattered in a way that gives the oppressor wiggle room. Understanding and accepting it in one’s heart has to come before speaking. We must see ‘their’ battle in ‘ours.’ We must see ‘our’ battle in ‘theirs.’ 💓
Yes...thankyou...agreed
Thank you!