DeepSummary
In this episode, Rukaya Sham Sadeen and Kumar Salehe host Mohammad Abdou, a professor and activist, to discuss decolonial theory and its relevance to the pro-Palestine solidarity movement. Abdou shares his experiences and insights on the recent student encampments across US universities in support of Gaza, highlighting the impressive organization and sacrifices made by students.
Abdou reflects on the broader context of the Israeli occupation, drawing connections to the legacy of colonialism and the foundations of the US as a settler-colonial state. He argues that true solidarity with Palestine necessitates a reckoning with ongoing Indigenous genocide and anti-Black racism within the US and a rejection of the nation-state model.
The discussion also touches on Abdou's own experiences of being targeted and smeared by Congressional Republicans and the administration of Columbia University due to his vocal support for Palestinian liberation. Despite facing threats and harassment, Abdou expresses faith in the revolutionary potential of the student movement and the need to imagine radical alternatives beyond the confines of existing systems.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Decolonial theory and the framework of decolonization are essential for understanding and supporting the Palestinian struggle for liberation.
- The student solidarity movement for Gaza has shown impressive organization, sacrifice, and embodiment of revolutionary alternatives beyond the status quo.
- True solidarity with Palestine requires confronting ongoing Indigenous genocide and anti-Black racism within the US as legacies of settler colonialism and white supremacy.
- The struggle for Palestinian liberation necessitates rejecting the nation-state model and imagining radical alternatives beyond existing systems.
- Mohammad Abdou and others voicing support for Palestinian rights have faced targeted campaigns of smears and threats from pro-Israel groups and institutions.
- Revolutions involve practical considerations and lessons learned from past anti-colonial and decolonial movements, not just ideological slogans.
- Solidarity should be based on shared ethical, political, and spiritual commitments, not just identity markers or labels.
- Dreaming dangerously and creating alternative ways of life are crucial to the process of decolonization and revolutionary change.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “If colonialism had ripped apart anything for people of color, it's their ability to dream dangerously because of the inherent violence of what that dreaming does.“ by Mohammad Abdou
- “Again, revolutions involve practical questions. What are you going to do with the army? What are you going to do with the police? What are you going to do, God forbid, when somebody gets sick, when somebody gets hungry. So it isn't this one, two, three calculus. It's sort of an equation of insurrections as much as certainly vis a vis the experimentations, anti colonial and decolonial liberationist that we have learned lessons.“ by Mohammad Abdou
- “So we need to transition from resistance to liberation, from surviving to thriving. We owe ourselves to thrive and not just survive.“ by Mohammad Abdou
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Episode Information
Delete Your Account Podcast
Delete Your Account
5/13/24
This week, Roqayah and Kumars are joined by professor and academic, Mohamed Abdou, for a discussion of decolonial theory and a reflection on how the framework of decolonization benefits pro-Palestine solidarity and organizing.
Mohamed, one of three faculty members targeted and smeared during congressional testimony by House Republicans and the president of Columbia University, discusses the explosion of student encampments around the United States in support of Gaza, and the lessons we can learn not only about the farce of academic freedom but the impressive tenacity of students and what they are sacrificing.
We also learn more about the smeared campaign facing Mohamed, as well as the significance of Columbia University's connection to Israel which makes it a legitimate target of BDS.
Follow Mohamed on Twitter @minuetinGmajor and Instagram @slightlydrifting, and sign the petition in support of Mohamed here.
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