I’m making this thread to plan a reading group about anti-zionism, for comrades (including myself) to get educated on the latest anti-zionist and anti-colonial theory and practice. Please propose books in the comments, along with a short explanation of why your are proposing them / what they are about.
My first proposal is “Perfect Victims” by Mohammed El-Kurd. I think the title somewhat explains the book, but his article “Jewish settlers stole my house. It’s not my fault they’re Jewish.” is a good look at the kind of ideas he explores.
I would just propose the first chapter of The Wretched of the Earth “Concerning Violence” as a supplement to remind folks that in a decolonial struggle we can’t possibly moralize on this issue (and I think in general Hexbears get this, but it might be good for folks from other parts of the Fedi who happen across the threads). It’s obviously not specifically anti-zionist, but rather might help explain why we support the axis of resistance.
It’s also just an absolute banger, and a “crowd pleaser”, as it were. I never tire of reading it, personally, but that’s just me. If the majority of folks don’t want to read it, don’t. I’ll also be on call for this thread (and any future threads) - just shoot me a PM or @me. I’ll try to keep things under control, though I can’t be available 24/7, I usually log in daily at least.
I think maybe this (the first chapter) could be the first part of the series, as an intro before moving on to another book?
I’ll also be on call for this thread (and any future threads) - just shoot me a PM or @me. I’ll try to keep things under control, though I can’t be available 24/7, I usually log in daily at least.
If an extra hand is needed to oversee/moderate these threads, I volunteer.
That would be how I’d envision it as well. Starting from a “first principle” is always good. It’s a bit long/dense, but god, I just started re-reading and it remains so good.
As soon as the native begins to pull on his moorings, and to cause anxiety to the settler, he is handed over to well-meaning souls who in cultural congresses point out to him the specificity and wealth of Western values. But every time Western values are mentioned they produce in the native a sort of stiffening or muscular lockjaw. During the period of decolonization, the natives’s reason is appealed to. He is offered definite values, he is told frequently that decolonization need not mean regression, and that he must put his trust in qualities which are welltried, solid, and highly esteemed. But it so happens that when the native hears a speech about Western culture he pulls out his knife–or at least he makes sure it is within reach. The violence with which the supremacy of white values is affirmed and the aggressiveness which has permeated the victory of these values over the ways of life and of thought of the native mean that, in revenge, the native laughs in mockery when Western values are mentioned in front of him.
I actually might have the power to make you a mod, I’m going to try now.
It seems it worked. Enjoy your mod powers here, and just be sure to moderate the anti-sectarian rules since I think that’s the real key.
Pinned this for now.
It seems it worked. Enjoy your mod powers here, and just be sure to moderate the anti-sectarian rules since I think that’s the real key.
At last, 1984 powers.
Thank you. Is there a Matrix room for moderation on this comm where I can ask about things / clarifications / etc.
If there is, I’m not in it lol. We’re a pretty small and quiet comm.
Yea I’m also unaware of anything, and never see any reports anyways.
Zionist Colonialism in Palestine by Fayez Sayegh
The table of contents reminded me of something I notice a lot, which is that often people treat zionism as simply a tool of American imperialism, which sort of erases not only the interests of Jewish Zionists, but also the fact that the Americans are not the only, or even the first, sponsor of the zionist project.
Ten Myths About Israel (sic) is a good summary or takedown of the narrative zionists have of their history. Pappé is an “israeli” historian with good opinions (acknowledges that the Nakba was ethnic cleansing, admires the courage of Hamas after al-Aqsa Flood), and the text is pretty snappy. Like some of the myths are covered in less than ten pages. People might have read this one though, cause that link is pulled from the news thread like two years ago
name recognized from blorptube
Upbear. Thanks for the recommendation!
Yaaaas, into it. Idk how much time I will have to really participate at the start because of my class readings and I’m already in two other study groups outside of class
But I might challenge myself.That article is a banger and I feel like everyone on this damn site should read it. It sounds like El-Kurd expounds upon the concept of weaponization of language even further in the book, so I think that would be an excellent text to start with. Considering what (probably) inspired this reading group, that is something that many of us Hexbears need to reckon with. I also like @[email protected] 's idea of anchoring the readings in decolonialism more broadly.
Most of the readings for one of my classes revolves around Palestinian struggle and liberation through a social work lens. If I find any that seem particularly enlightening I might throw them on here as suggestions, or just supplementary material if people wanna read them on their own
That article is a banger and I feel like everyone on this damn site should read it. It sounds like El-Kurd expounds upon the concept of weaponization of language even further in the book, so I think that would be an excellent text to start with. Considering what (probably) inspired this reading group, that is something that many of us Hexbears need to reckon with.
I agree 100%. I’m not saying this to accuse anyone, I think we all could benefit from good theoretical grounding on this issue.
Most of the readings for one of my classes revolves around Palestinian struggle and liberation through a social work lens. If I find any that seem particularly enlightening I might throw them on here as suggestions, or just supplementary material if people wanna read them on their own
Oh yeah, I most definitely need to sharpen my understanding on this stuff as well. It’s really been interesting to detach my own personal understandings of words and particular language through reading Marxist theory. Like even just the concept of contradictions. On its face, a “contradiction” sounds like it’s defined by antagonism but it really isn’t so I have totally had to shift the way that I read things to engage with the material more thoughtfully, without assigning positive or negative assumptions to the words used. I think it’s a fine skill to hone
Good nomination. I heard an interview with him. Between the interview and his article, he really cuts through bullshit in a refreshing way. Haven’t read his book.
Yeah, he’s really incredible.
@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] Tagging you from the comm proposal thread I made, you might be interested.
@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] Other users (non-exhaustive) who might be interested.
@[email protected] You might be interested as a long-time member of the Hexbear Third Worldist caucus. I miss @[email protected].
as there has been resurrection of “zog” theories on twitter as well, some polemic pieces have been relinked, so might as well put them here:
https://www.nefariousrussians.com/p/what-you-should-know-7ff
https://kalikoba.substack.com/p/an-attack-on-the-zionist-para-state
