What major historical events do you remember?

I was born in the internet age. I won’t know what life was like before the cellphones, social media, and (mis)information at my fingertips.

Throughout my lifetime, as a US citizen from what I can remember, I have witnessed America’s first black president and mixed female vice president. I’ve seen gay marriage legalized and the Crown Act passed. I’ve seen a con artist get elected into office. I’ve seen the Capitol overrun and the overturn of Roe v Wade.

I’ve lived through 9/11, the housing market crash and subsequent recession, the covid pandemic and lockdown (and current possible subsequent recession), and now with what’s going on in Gaza….

This doesn’t include things I can’t remember or have no knowledge of. This doesn’t even include the astronomical amount of school and police shootings that have occurred; America we have a problem. Well, problems.

I was a toddler when 9/11 happened. I remember seeing a news story of the towers burning, but when a world event happens, we can remember things that didn’t happen to us personally because it’s a collective experience. I didn’t understand what 9/11 meant at the time and learning that the airport system wasn’t always what it is now was mind blowing.

I was young when the market crashed. I saw the impact of it but I was around ten or eleven. I don’t remember much.

Covid spreading and being declared an pandemic was only three years ago. It opened my eyes more to how we, Americans, operate as a society.

And now, with the bombings in Gaza. I’m heartbroken.

These historical events have made me want to disconnect. Given me more anxiety about the state of the world and where it’s headed. Made me question what the future will look like for my daughter, my forever baby girl. And yet, my distress is a privilege.

In recent years, I’ve been hesitant to write about politics because my opinions and thoughts have been so grim about it. It’s been hard to put my thoughts into words and I honestly didn’t want to face my feelings about it or say the “wrong” thing.

I know little to nothing about foreign policy, but I question why being Pro-Palestine is equated with antisemitism. It’s the same thing as making pro-black synonymous with anti-white. Why, if Palestine is asking for freedom, people are questioning if they are actually being kept. Why the militias of Hamas are representative of Palestinians. Why people are being killed in safe spaces. Why little aid is being allowed in. Why even before this, people needed permission to come and go. Why it’s okay to turn off electricity and water. Why the answer to killings and a hostage situation is more killing.

I’m not even consuming this information 24/7 like other creators are. Yet, I have seen more pictures of children being hurt or shaken up than I’ve cared to. More pictures of people mourning over body bags than I’ve liked. I’ve seen a video of a woman explaining how little water she has for an entire day, to wash and drink. There’s articles of woman who have no access to medicine or care while giving birth. Who don’t have access to menstrual products. Children writing their names on their arms so you know who they are if you stumble across their body. People only eating bread because it’s all they have. People understandably mad at reporters for trying to desensitize us. That doesn’t even cover atrocities that have occurred before the present months.

The horrors I’ve seen because of social media have affected me. And though social media does have its downsides, scammers, and misinformation pits, it can also show you what people are experiencing. It shouldn’t be dismissed. Sharing information on social media shouldn’t be downplayed.

Each day, I’m learning a little more about the history between Israel and Palestine. The more I learn, the more I think Palestine should be free. And honestly, I’m under the belief that if a group is saying they’re being oppressed, who am I to say they’re not. Especially, when Israel turned off water and electricity. That is so inhumane. My brain can’t stop stressing that fact. Imagine being without electricity and water. Imagine knowing you and your family will die young. Anyone with compassion can acknowledge how atrocious Palestinians in Gaza are being treated.

As much as I’d like to pretend it’s not happening. I can’t. We can’t. There are different ways to show support, whether educating yourself through books, learning and posting on social media, boycotting Starbucks, McDonald’s, and, or Disney, protesting, or talking about it in conversations with those around you.

I’m not an expert, but I’m learning what I can.

Here are some links that could help you learn too:

NPR- Palestinians ask other nations to end attacks

CNN- Fear of Palestinian Exodus

UN- UN decry bombing of hospitals and schools

NPR- Israel conducts its biggest raid

Foreign Affairs- What Palestinians think of Hamas