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  • » Name: Amanda Bassa
  • » Location: VA
  • » Member Since: 09/21/07
  • » Bio: student, future change maker, and everything you wouldn't expect me to be.
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The Undisputed Truth

Candlelight Vigil for Gaza's Innocent Civilians


January 30, 2008 | Tags: none

If you've been paying attention to the DX blog section lately, you may have noticed my fellow blogger Mr. Burnett’s recent post on the concept of the kaffiyeh becoming a fashion trend. Props to my “coworker” of sorts for pointing out the fact that people are rocking those joints (as well as the ever popular Che Guevara t-shirts) with no clue as to what they symbolize or the history behind them. But, let’s take a look at how some people who actually do know the meaning of the fashion item they’re wearing sport the item. And let’s use this situation to discuss some more serious matters as well.

I get some e-mails from time to time asking me about my college experience or commenting about the things I say about college life on the blog. Well, here’s a little something for those of you who have hit me up concerning that. College can be a lot of fun and games, but college campuses are also hotbeds for groups and events that promote social change or take on political issues. Word of advice to those heading off to college next year or even those who are already there – if you’re into attending events of this nature, research the student organizations on campus that deal with the issues that you’re concerned about. A lot of times you can find an e-newsletter you can sign up for that will keep you posted on news and events that the organization is hosting that you can be involved in. You don’t even necessarily need to join the group to get on the mailing lists and stay up on what’s going on.

Anyway, tonight a candlelight vigil was held on my campus by GMU’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) in order to show support and give well wishes to the innocent civilians in Gaza that have been impacted by the recent Israeli blockade. For those that aren’t up on their current events, you can peep a brief review of the situation here. To sum it up even more briefly though, Israel was facing rocket attacks by Palestinians, and in a strategic move of defense, a blockade was imposed on Gaza that in turn cut off supplies and humanitarian aid to the territory. This meant that things like food and fuel were not reaching the citizens of Gaza, although the blockade was lightened to allow a few approved shipments of things like rice and limited amounts of fuel. Many were left without running water, heat, or electricity.

Some may call me biased, seeing as how my cultural background surely plays a part in some of my feelings about the situation over there, but this is not about taking sides. This is about speaking out for justice in a situation where a move of defense taken by a nation not only affected the people who they were trying to defend themselves against, but also innocent citizens including women and children who deserve the basic necessities of life.

Peep some photos of the event:

More information about the ongoing situation via Amnesty International can be found here.

And whether it’s Gaza, domestic violence, the situation in Darfur, rising gas prices, police brutality, privatization of water in developed countries, the state of rap music, climate change, etc., remember that a large step in the process to achieve reform is education. Without sufficient knowledge of what’s going on, efforts to incite change may not be as effective as they could be. And share what you learn with those around you. It’s probably not the best idea to constantly spread your legs or STDs (word to “porn week” or whatever it is that’s going down here at DX), but spreading knowledge and love is a beautiful thing.

Read, read, read!

Until next time, DX...


The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the writer and not necessarily those of HipHopDX.com or Cheri Media Group.

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