All over social media I’m seeing people saying it’s in support of Palestine. I’m also seeing a TON of ads for people selling them claiming that purchasing one is a form of support for Palestine. I’ve noted that most of them do not specify that proceeds are going to aid, just a more general form of support.

I just saw one white burgerlander insist that wearing one is the bare minimum for anyone who cares about Palestine because by adopting the clothing, you’re preventing total genocide by making sure their culture survives. To me that reads like the most unhinged justification for cultural appropriation I’ve ever heard. Even using cultural appropriation as a value-neutral term, it’s appropriation, not immersion and adoption. It does not prevent the people from being murdered who actually are of that culture you’re saying you’re preserving.

Am I missing something? I’m a white burgerlander myself so it’s very possible. Does wearing/buying these actually support Palestinians in any way? Or is it just quickly becoming the next liberal simulacrum for activism?

  • spectre [he/him]
    ·
    7 months ago

    There was originally a wave of encouragement to wear it by Palestinians as an act of solidarity, and there was at least one shop in Palestine that sold out completely in like November. It doesn't sound like you have any issues with that and neither do I.

    Of course, these things take on their own life at times, and it's definitely cringe of the profits are not finding their way inside Palestinian borders, and if people are acting like wearing it is anything other than an act of solidarity, and maybe a couple dollars donation (probably not that).