The problem may be that each of us tends to see him or herself as the protagonist of the story, which is also a story only about him or her. Anyone who is perceived as countering this narrative must, by definition, be "the baddies."
Breaking out of this narcissistic trap is the job of parents and others in society who themselves have broken through. Unfortunately, extending that necessary narcissism, beyond when needed for survival, say, maybe the first half-dozen years, becomes toxic, and when transposed onto the greater society, American Exceptionalism, becomes deadly, not only to others, but to our/themselves.
Interesting! I didn't know that about you. I'm fascinated by the Puerto Rican independence movement. Do you have any suggested articles/resources where I can learn more?
I would like to (wryly) note that I’m writing this from the Philippines. There’s a reason Independence Day is celebrated on a different day from the anniversary of it actually gaining sovereignty--those declaring independence from Spain intended for the Americans to back off.
After June 12, 1898 the rebels fought the Americans in the 1900s and lost, in one of the few examples of the US winning an asymmetrical war, marked by one of the first recorded uses of concentration camps. Fortunately, there were enough DC anti-imperialists in both parties advocating for Philippine sovereignty that it was granted...on July 4, 1946 (and also some of them wanted it out of opposition to a multiracial America). The lesson, I suppose, is that America’s more unnervingly like Britain than one’d think
I find the Philippines-US relationship to be fascinating and a great indication of American foreign policy. We said we were fighting Spain in the Spanish-American war for Philippine/Cuban independence. As you well know, that was not the case.
Another layer of what you write is the hypocrisy of the US having suppressed independence movements across its own territories. The constant sense of being trapped in your own political circumstances by the oppressive regime of your oppressor is a huge part of being a victim of imperialism. Being in a colonial state affects everything about how you see yourself and your people. American propaganda, genocidal practices, and a police state and espionage on the native population that would’ve made the Gestapo proud forced Puerto Rico into a state of complacency for a few generations. I’m sure that that’s the goal Israel wants for Palestine. Break their spirit to the point the people there eventually talk about annexation to the oppressor state as the “best” option. I hope that never happens because that would just mean generations more of limbo and stagnant progress and corruption.
I once heard a Palestine remark that Israel commonly tells them, "The world has forgotten about you," as torturers do to their victims. It's gut-wrenching. That's why I think the campus protests were so powerful. Above all else, it showed Palestinians that they were not forgotten.
Palestinians have the advantage of having enough numbers that they can’t just be forgotten, but there have been plenty of cases where entire movements have been left aside. Puerto Rico is definitely one, but the native Hawaiians are another. Here’s another video on the similarities between us both: https://youtu.be/NO83K8s8dnk?si=KGPe71lDkfMknCtA
Great newsletter. I talked about this kind of perspective a lot early on when some of my friends didn't understand why Palestinians resisted violently. I appreciate the analogy of Canadian invasion, that's an interesting framing!
Comparing the Palestinian resistance to the American revolution gives way to much credit to the American revolution, though. The reason we fought was as much about the British preventing our further colonization of North America as it was about taxes. Before the revolution Americans were already settling in indigenous lands and that got turned up into overdrive after independence. The American revolution wasn't so much an anti-colonial struggle as it was a civil war over the boundaries of settler colonialism. A more apt metaphor for the American revolution would be if some Israelis broke away from Israel so they could conquer and settle Lebanon. I understand why you didn't get into more than comparing tea taxes to survival because talking about the American revolution wasn't really the point of the post, but because the American revolution was part of a settler colonial project, I think it is worth a mention in this context.
I agree with your thoughts on the comparison between the American Revolution and the Palestinian struggle. A more apt analogy would be between the Palestinians and Indigenous Americans. I used the American Revolution more to draw in readers who didn't understand the need for Palestinian struggle (such as your friend), not so much as a 1-to-1 comparison. Hope that clears it up!
Yes, very clear. It's like your post about John Oliver. For liberals, a comparison between American and Palestinian rebels might be more appealing and gets people moving left. When they are ready we can flip it!
The problem may be that each of us tends to see him or herself as the protagonist of the story, which is also a story only about him or her. Anyone who is perceived as countering this narrative must, by definition, be "the baddies."
Breaking out of this narcissistic trap is the job of parents and others in society who themselves have broken through. Unfortunately, extending that necessary narcissism, beyond when needed for survival, say, maybe the first half-dozen years, becomes toxic, and when transposed onto the greater society, American Exceptionalism, becomes deadly, not only to others, but to our/themselves.
Pushing back on the hypocrisy is always on order.
Thank you!
The "main character syndrome" is spot on! Revolution for me, please be docile for thee.
As a Puerto Rican that has organized for our independence, yes.
Interesting! I didn't know that about you. I'm fascinated by the Puerto Rican independence movement. Do you have any suggested articles/resources where I can learn more?
Boy do I.
https://youtu.be/86k46SRdvMw?si=PxQ65nnCPG7mL5Zq
https://youtu.be/joB4U_1vqBA?si=OAeQGmglGy8g0Tim
https://youtu.be/joB4U_1vqBA?si=OAeQGmglGy8g0Tim
https://youtu.be/khkONOYSB8Q?si=9n3U_EflrdN1dopz
https://youtu.be/xb9E8fvMPOA?si=VPWJSeCxf98pHWgs
https://youtu.be/TY7rg3bC_m8?si=U2YKWfAPJLXuhEVl
Thanks!
I would like to (wryly) note that I’m writing this from the Philippines. There’s a reason Independence Day is celebrated on a different day from the anniversary of it actually gaining sovereignty--those declaring independence from Spain intended for the Americans to back off.
After June 12, 1898 the rebels fought the Americans in the 1900s and lost, in one of the few examples of the US winning an asymmetrical war, marked by one of the first recorded uses of concentration camps. Fortunately, there were enough DC anti-imperialists in both parties advocating for Philippine sovereignty that it was granted...on July 4, 1946 (and also some of them wanted it out of opposition to a multiracial America). The lesson, I suppose, is that America’s more unnervingly like Britain than one’d think
I find the Philippines-US relationship to be fascinating and a great indication of American foreign policy. We said we were fighting Spain in the Spanish-American war for Philippine/Cuban independence. As you well know, that was not the case.
Puerto Ricans were also told we would be granted sovereignty after the Spanish American War. General Nelson Miles used this tactic known as “lying”
lol, that's a very advanced warfare technique taught at west point
Well done metaphor. Laying it out this way highlights our hypocrisy.
Thanks! It took a bit to wrap up into the broader message, but I think it landed well.
Another layer of what you write is the hypocrisy of the US having suppressed independence movements across its own territories. The constant sense of being trapped in your own political circumstances by the oppressive regime of your oppressor is a huge part of being a victim of imperialism. Being in a colonial state affects everything about how you see yourself and your people. American propaganda, genocidal practices, and a police state and espionage on the native population that would’ve made the Gestapo proud forced Puerto Rico into a state of complacency for a few generations. I’m sure that that’s the goal Israel wants for Palestine. Break their spirit to the point the people there eventually talk about annexation to the oppressor state as the “best” option. I hope that never happens because that would just mean generations more of limbo and stagnant progress and corruption.
I once heard a Palestine remark that Israel commonly tells them, "The world has forgotten about you," as torturers do to their victims. It's gut-wrenching. That's why I think the campus protests were so powerful. Above all else, it showed Palestinians that they were not forgotten.
Palestinians have the advantage of having enough numbers that they can’t just be forgotten, but there have been plenty of cases where entire movements have been left aside. Puerto Rico is definitely one, but the native Hawaiians are another. Here’s another video on the similarities between us both: https://youtu.be/NO83K8s8dnk?si=KGPe71lDkfMknCtA
Great newsletter. I talked about this kind of perspective a lot early on when some of my friends didn't understand why Palestinians resisted violently. I appreciate the analogy of Canadian invasion, that's an interesting framing!
Comparing the Palestinian resistance to the American revolution gives way to much credit to the American revolution, though. The reason we fought was as much about the British preventing our further colonization of North America as it was about taxes. Before the revolution Americans were already settling in indigenous lands and that got turned up into overdrive after independence. The American revolution wasn't so much an anti-colonial struggle as it was a civil war over the boundaries of settler colonialism. A more apt metaphor for the American revolution would be if some Israelis broke away from Israel so they could conquer and settle Lebanon. I understand why you didn't get into more than comparing tea taxes to survival because talking about the American revolution wasn't really the point of the post, but because the American revolution was part of a settler colonial project, I think it is worth a mention in this context.
I'm glad you appreciate it!
I agree with your thoughts on the comparison between the American Revolution and the Palestinian struggle. A more apt analogy would be between the Palestinians and Indigenous Americans. I used the American Revolution more to draw in readers who didn't understand the need for Palestinian struggle (such as your friend), not so much as a 1-to-1 comparison. Hope that clears it up!
Yes, very clear. It's like your post about John Oliver. For liberals, a comparison between American and Palestinian rebels might be more appealing and gets people moving left. When they are ready we can flip it!
That's the idea!