Dear Friends,

Over the last few weeks, I have been following young journalists in Gaza document what’s happening in real time to their land, their people, their homes. Though I do not know them personally, every day, I check to see if they are still alive.

I am distraught and traumatized from watching a genocide happen from behind my phone screen, screaming inside at all the world leaders who are complicit in this crime against humanity.

Though I am a writer and a storyteller, my own words have failed me. I have been frustrated at my inability to articulate this horrific tragedy. Like many of you, I have been at a loss for words.

But then I remember that the storytellers in Palestine are the voices that this moment needs the most. Our duty is to ensure their voices continue to be centered and amplified right now.

Besides, actions speak louder than words can.

Which is why I call on my community to join me in the following actions:

Continue amplifying the stories and voices of journalists in Gaza by “liking”, “commenting”, or “reposting” their social media posts. This may seem trivial, performative, or superficial, but this is exactly what Palestinians are asking us to do right now- to make sure that this doesn’t fade from the news cycle and to maintain the urgency for a ceasefire. As trivial as it sounds, social media does make a difference, because it provides measurable metrics. The data that social media provides is information that decision-makers take into account. Journalists I follow on IG include: @byplestia | @motazazaiza | @wizard_bisan1 | @eid_yara
Educate yourself on the context & history of the 75-year Israeli occupation of Palestine. Start by watching this video featuring Dr. Gabor Mate, Holocaust survivor, on his reflections.
Understand that calling for a ceasefire and being in solidarity with Palestine freedom does NOT equate to being Anti-Semitic. Read this piece and join me in standing in solidarity with organizations like Jewish Voices for Peace who are advocating peace for ALL and fighting against the weaponization of Jewish grief and trauma to justify a system of violence.
Take 2 minutes of your day to participate in the action toolkits from UNRWA and Jewish Voices for Peace.
Download the app, 5 Calls, to make it easier for you to call your representatives. This app instantly provides you the direct contact information for your reps, along with a script. Flooding their offices with calls is effective, and we need all hands on deck.
Donate. I have personally donated to Medical Aid for Palestinians and others I know have donated to Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund.
Protest. If you are healthy and able, bodies and presence at protests matter. If you are in the USA, find a protest near you here.

Lastly, I want to speak to my fellow creatives and storytellers: I acknowledge how challenging it might be to articulate our voices because of the risk involved and the fear of saying the wrong thing. I myself have felt inadequate.

But I realize that our responsibility right now is not to center our own voices, but to play a supporting role in amplifying Palestinian stories. Yes, there is risk, but let’s also remember the possibilities. I leave you with this piece and this quote:

“Reframing this call to speak out from a responsibility to an opportunity has been useful to me. In this historical moment, we have an opportunity to make a difference, to use the privilege we have as people with platforms to encourage our audiences to get involved in the struggle for peace and justice. No one artist needs to be (or should be, or can be) the voice speaking for everyone; but we can all be voices, contributing to something bigger than us. It’s about changing the narrative… It’s about bringing more and more people into the movement.

Artists have always had a role to play in that work, and the call to show up and speak out for a free Palestine is more urgent than ever.” - Kyle Guarante Tran Myhre

In Love, Solidarity & Prayer,

Ruby