Palestine Visibility Week: A Photo Series
The Palestine Visibility Week at AUP took place from Monday, 25th November up until 29th November. Organized by the SJP (Students in Justice for Palestine), this event showcased Palestinian culture, literature, and beauty—serving as an in-person informative forum for those unfamiliar with certain attributes of the Palestinian entity.
Decorated with keffiyehs, art, novels, and much more—the SJP brought forward elements representing Palestine within the walls of AUP.
AUP student Leen Al Daqqaq: "The reason I want people to see our culture and us as actual people is not to diminish the Palestinians to numbers—only the amount of people that were killed, which is very important for one to mobilize against what is happening. I think the part that will touch people the most, is knowing or learning about our culture and what kind of people we are, as opposed to individuals who rebel and cause violence—as you know the kind of terms that get thrown around in the media. I think when you learn about our culture, you unlock an empathetic part of the whole narrative. It's important for students to learn about the kind of people we are. As a Palestinian, this project is very personal to me and I hope that this table shows people more than what is going on right now. We tried to implement a cultural element to give another perspective because Palestine is not only about struggle but also about the culture. I hope that this was an educational and eye-opening experience for students and allows them to explore and appreciate our culture."
AUP student Hannah Wynters Wright: "I think that exhibiting the Palestinian cultural identity is what gets at the heart of the conflict because the only reason that such mass atrocities and genocide can happen is through the deep dehumanization of people. We can think of this educational week as a preventative week, the way we can stop the increase in dehumanization and fueling of hatred is by talking about culture, art, and music but most of all by talking about the Palestinian people as people, not just as victims or subjects of violence."
AUP student Daria (Dar) Minhas: "It's in the name. As a campus coalition and a movement in its entirety, we need more visibility. I want people to know and note our presence and support for Palestine wherever they go. Our campus—and the world quite frankly—is depoliticized these days, whether people are genuinely satisfied with the way things are or feel extremely helpless and disconnected. Our being in the common spaces on campus doesn't only create a space to celebrate the rich history and culture of Palestine, but it also gives an amplifier to all those individuals who feel like they don't have a voice. It gives them a place to go, it gives them something to do, it gives them people to stand in solidarity with. All we need is to build change and spark revolution, is a community to link arms with, and by building these bridges makes a difference in the world, even if it's just at a tiny university in Paris."
The SJP has spent the week creating an educational environment for AUP students to understand Palestine at its core. Alongside the gallery that was set up in the Combes lobby, two movies were showcased, Avenge But One Of My Two Eyes and Israelism. The former highlights the continuing cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians, and the latter looks into two American Jews who witnessed Israel's unfair treatment towards the Palestinians and are met with an internal conflict because of their upbringing—one that brainwashes them into believing Israel is in danger because of Palestinians. The movies provide further contextual information for one to comprehend the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The genocide against the Gazans continues and several Palestinians need help—you can make a difference by donating! The SJP shared QR codes for several 'GoFund Me' links which are shared below. Donate and make a difference.
Help Ahmed Masoud's Family in Gaza!
