On the obligation of witness, erasure of history, the damage of insatiable systems, language as a conduit for meaning, the choice of hope, and the joy of community.
"And second, the only solution to whatever it is I feel is to find solidarity with others and to find a sense of community, because there’s no way I’m solving any of this stuff on my own." ❤️
What a moving interview. One to be read again and again. Like that song we play on repeat. The story shared of getting stuck in the sand and the help given and tea served and the understanding "It is our duty" has me wondering deeply about my own duty. Thank you, truly. Day
Oooooh, I love that, Ash: like a song we play on repeat! Yes! I've read this countless times now and am still so moved by Omar's words. I'm so happy it also resonated with you, too. And, yes, that moment also stuck with me. 🌸
These words follow the story of getting stuck in the sand: "When I go back home to the U.S, and watch a movie, and it has someone who looks like that in it, he’s going to have a bomb strapped to his chest. Overwhelmingly, that is who I am expected to believe these people are. That is an erasure of history, but nobody would call it that." So powerful Jane "DAY"
Oh my goodness I need this writing! And I have said this before about the different terminology when white people move to other countries vs when non-white people do - and people look at me like I’m crazy. Thank you for including this in your roster of interviews and introducing me to this excellent author. DAY.
I'm so delighted you enjoyed it, Tola! And, yes, it's so true about the terminology! And it lays the foundation for so much more. I think you will really appreciate Omar's book! 🌸
Thanks for bringing these ideas to us through our interview with Omar, Jane. “If we’re going to call ourselves writers, we have more than just an obligation to write, we have some obligation to stand in defense of language as a conduit for meaning rather than language as an antagonist to meaning.” As a New York Jew actively opposing the genocide in Gaza, I’ve had many moments where I’ve had to consider the impact of my words and my obligation to speak truth in the face of adversity. Omar’s phrasing here resonates. Thank you both.
Wonderful interview. He speaks of severance and it resonates with my sense that every modern ill is a failure of connection. I've been looking forward to reading Omar's book with the best-ever title. (On Halloween this year, some fellow activists in my small town created a Gaza-themed theatre action with a banner reading "One day, everyone will always have been against this.")
I agree, Jo! And I think you will love Omar's book. It's extraordinary. And what a wonderful banner! Not sure if you know that the title came from something he tweeted which read: "One day, when it's safe, when there's no personal downside to calling a thing what it is, when it's too late to hold anyone accountable, everyone will have always been against this."
Lovely to see you here, Mashaw! And thank you for your kind words. I'm so happy you enjoyed it. I agree, Omar's words and insights are humbling, indeed. 🌸
so much depth to this interview leaving me lots to reflect on. and i always trust you Jane to ask insightful questions. i appreciated (and miss) Omar's podcast "Imagine a World Without."
Ooooh, thank you, Margaret! I'm so happy you enjoyed it! And thanks for your kind words!! I really do want everyone to be able to experience all this wisdom and insight and tenderness! 🌸
Thank you, Jane, for bringing us this compelling interview. Omar is a very wise and compassionate man. I love this: "Any distance you can put between the conscience of a privileged population and the atrocities committed on its behalf is a natural lubricant that allows those atrocities to take place." DAY
A wonderful interview, Jane, thank you for this. I will reread it again as there is much to digest here and Omar's words are always so wise. While there is much to feel angry and despairing about, I agree that finding community, and staying connected to nature (not Amazon) is key. But it is hard. We're in deep and a lot needs to change. We owe it to each other, to our planet and to future generations. Powerful interview. 🙏🏼🩵
Catching my breath here… so much to say here in response to this beautiful interview Jane. I feel Omar’s words so deeply. I grew up in Israel, so sadly, I’m familiar with the stereotypical image of the “Arab”. The story he told was so beautiful. And I couldn’t help thinking that if that was my mum stuck in that desert, she would have been freaked out by the sight of those men showing up :( what is happening to Palestinians in Gaza, and the West Bank, is more than just breaking my heart. Everyday I think, how can I actively resist it? And although I have no doubt that “one day everyone will have always been against it”, I wonder how long it will take us to get to that one day… DAY
I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Imola. It's funny, I thought of you when I posted it this morning; it reminded me of you in ways I can't quite articulate. I didn't know you grew up in Israel. It's so sad the stereotypes we all create of others. How different the world would be if that shifted. And, yes, good question! xx
Oh, how curious that you thought of me even without knowing I grew up in Israel. My story is a bit strange in that my mum kidnapped us to Israel, pretending to be Jewish, and I found out that I wasn’t Jewish just before my military service. I believe that this uniquely (screwed-up) position primed me to see the humanity in all of us, and focus on what we have in common, rather than what sets us apart. This has created quite the rift between me and some of my family members but what Omar described here I believe in si passionately. I think as a writer I have a duty to write about this and do all I can to humanise the dehumanised. Admittedly, my “platform” is much, much smaller, but I do what I can. And I am deeply encouraged by the works of writers like Omar!! So I will go and get his book.
"And second, the only solution to whatever it is I feel is to find solidarity with others and to find a sense of community, because there’s no way I’m solving any of this stuff on my own." ❤️
So true! I know this is also your heart-felt philosophy, Mary! 🌸
What a moving interview. One to be read again and again. Like that song we play on repeat. The story shared of getting stuck in the sand and the help given and tea served and the understanding "It is our duty" has me wondering deeply about my own duty. Thank you, truly. Day
Oooooh, I love that, Ash: like a song we play on repeat! Yes! I've read this countless times now and am still so moved by Omar's words. I'm so happy it also resonated with you, too. And, yes, that moment also stuck with me. 🌸
These words follow the story of getting stuck in the sand: "When I go back home to the U.S, and watch a movie, and it has someone who looks like that in it, he’s going to have a bomb strapped to his chest. Overwhelmingly, that is who I am expected to believe these people are. That is an erasure of history, but nobody would call it that." So powerful Jane "DAY"
Hi Trish! Did you check your Substack messages? I sent you one! xx
I agree, Trish. So potent. Omar's words always have me looking at the world so differently. I'm happy they also resonated with you! 🌸
Oh my goodness I need this writing! And I have said this before about the different terminology when white people move to other countries vs when non-white people do - and people look at me like I’m crazy. Thank you for including this in your roster of interviews and introducing me to this excellent author. DAY.
I'm so delighted you enjoyed it, Tola! And, yes, it's so true about the terminology! And it lays the foundation for so much more. I think you will really appreciate Omar's book! 🌸
Thanks for bringing these ideas to us through our interview with Omar, Jane. “If we’re going to call ourselves writers, we have more than just an obligation to write, we have some obligation to stand in defense of language as a conduit for meaning rather than language as an antagonist to meaning.” As a New York Jew actively opposing the genocide in Gaza, I’ve had many moments where I’ve had to consider the impact of my words and my obligation to speak truth in the face of adversity. Omar’s phrasing here resonates. Thank you both.
I'm so happy you enjoyed the interview, Sheri. I love that quote, as well! And, yes, language seems extra vital at the moment. 🌸
Wonderful interview. He speaks of severance and it resonates with my sense that every modern ill is a failure of connection. I've been looking forward to reading Omar's book with the best-ever title. (On Halloween this year, some fellow activists in my small town created a Gaza-themed theatre action with a banner reading "One day, everyone will always have been against this.")
I agree, Jo! And I think you will love Omar's book. It's extraordinary. And what a wonderful banner! Not sure if you know that the title came from something he tweeted which read: "One day, when it's safe, when there's no personal downside to calling a thing what it is, when it's too late to hold anyone accountable, everyone will have always been against this."
Day!
(I'd love towing an autographed copy!)
Jane, of allowed interviews of yours I've read, this one felt like the biggest hut punch! His parallels and observations about humanity humbled me.
Day!
Lovely to see you here, Mashaw! And thank you for your kind words. I'm so happy you enjoyed it. I agree, Omar's words and insights are humbling, indeed. 🌸
Thank you for this interview - and for adding more books to my reading list. : ) DAY
I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Prasanta! And each of Omar's books is so very beautiful! 🌸
so much depth to this interview leaving me lots to reflect on. and i always trust you Jane to ask insightful questions. i appreciated (and miss) Omar's podcast "Imagine a World Without."
DAY.
Thank you so much, Anne, for your kind words! I'm really happy you enjoyed it! 🌸
I loved this interview- thanks for your wonderful work and for making it available to your non-paid fans.
Ooooh, thank you, Margaret! I'm so happy you enjoyed it! And thanks for your kind words!! I really do want everyone to be able to experience all this wisdom and insight and tenderness! 🌸
Thank you, Jane, for bringing us this compelling interview. Omar is a very wise and compassionate man. I love this: "Any distance you can put between the conscience of a privileged population and the atrocities committed on its behalf is a natural lubricant that allows those atrocities to take place." DAY
I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Sharon! And, yes, such a potent quote! 🌸
A wonderful interview, Jane, thank you for this. I will reread it again as there is much to digest here and Omar's words are always so wise. While there is much to feel angry and despairing about, I agree that finding community, and staying connected to nature (not Amazon) is key. But it is hard. We're in deep and a lot needs to change. We owe it to each other, to our planet and to future generations. Powerful interview. 🙏🏼🩵
Thank you, dear Carmel! Yes to everything you wrote. Truth. And I'm so happy you enjoyed our conversation. You were there in spirit! 🌸
day
Catching my breath here… so much to say here in response to this beautiful interview Jane. I feel Omar’s words so deeply. I grew up in Israel, so sadly, I’m familiar with the stereotypical image of the “Arab”. The story he told was so beautiful. And I couldn’t help thinking that if that was my mum stuck in that desert, she would have been freaked out by the sight of those men showing up :( what is happening to Palestinians in Gaza, and the West Bank, is more than just breaking my heart. Everyday I think, how can I actively resist it? And although I have no doubt that “one day everyone will have always been against it”, I wonder how long it will take us to get to that one day… DAY
I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Imola. It's funny, I thought of you when I posted it this morning; it reminded me of you in ways I can't quite articulate. I didn't know you grew up in Israel. It's so sad the stereotypes we all create of others. How different the world would be if that shifted. And, yes, good question! xx
Oh, how curious that you thought of me even without knowing I grew up in Israel. My story is a bit strange in that my mum kidnapped us to Israel, pretending to be Jewish, and I found out that I wasn’t Jewish just before my military service. I believe that this uniquely (screwed-up) position primed me to see the humanity in all of us, and focus on what we have in common, rather than what sets us apart. This has created quite the rift between me and some of my family members but what Omar described here I believe in si passionately. I think as a writer I have a duty to write about this and do all I can to humanise the dehumanised. Admittedly, my “platform” is much, much smaller, but I do what I can. And I am deeply encouraged by the works of writers like Omar!! So I will go and get his book.
Imola! Oh my goodness! What a life you've had. Did you end up serving in the military?
Yes, but not by choice. It was mandatory!
Ah, I wasn't sure if that revelation impacted things. I didn't think it would. xx
So many beautiful little nuggets of wisdom, truth, pain and perseverance in this interview. It’s one I’ll think about for a while.
Ooooh, thank you, Kerry! So happy you enjoyed it! 🌸
Thank you for this, Jane. <3
So delighted you enjoyed it, Asha! 🌸