TESC Graduation 2003: Rachel, Palestine, Israel and Us

topic : Rachel Corrie | Palestine

Education [is] . . . the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world. -- Paulo Freire

If the Israeli military should break with their racist tendency not to injure white people, please pin the reason squarely on the fact that I am in the midst of a genocide which I am also indirectly supporting, and for which my government is largely responsible.

This has to stop. I think it is a good idea for us all to drop everything and devote our lives to making this stop. I don't think it's an extremist thing to do anymore. I still really want to dance around to Pat Benatar and have boyfriends and make comics for my coworkers. But I also want this to stop. -- Rachel Corrie

On anti-semitism

Community members participating in commencement solidarity activities reject all forms of racism, including racism against both Arabs and Jews. Racism against Arabs is virulent and alive in society, but racism against Jews also still exists and requires our diligent attention. Careless or deliberate employment of anti-Jewish statements compounds the historical injustice against Jews, wrongly implicates an entire ethnic group in the crimes against the Palestinians, and discredits the struggle for justice in the Middle East.

Criticism of the state of Israel, its policies, or the idea of a Jewish state does not by itself constitute anti-semitism.

Dismissing critics of Israel or of Zionism as "anti-semitic" is a means of stifling debate and masking the impact of occupation.

Why Kaffiyehs?

Kaffiyehs are a symbol of Palestinian national identity. Members of the Evergreen community wear kaffiyehs to express opposition to the 36-year Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands, in memory of Rachel Corrie and in solidarity with Palestinians, Jews and internationals working for a just and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel.

At last year's graduation, Evergreen graduates wore kaffiyehs to protest Israel's violent reoccupation of Palestinian cities and towns and obstruction of access to schools and universities. To this day, Israeli forces continue their policies of human rights violations, including the destruction of homes, agricultural land, and water wells; devastating curfews and restrictions on travel that prevent people from going to work or obtaining medical care; settlement expansion; and shootings and bombings that have resulted in the deaths and injury of thousands of civilians, including many children. All this is done with the economic, diplomatic, and military support of the US.

[WIP consulted TESC faculty member Therese Saliba on the question of cultural appropriation when westerners wear kaffiyehs. She told us that the student who initiated the campaign to wear kaffiyehs at last year's graduation asked a Palestinian who was visiting Olympia (one of the founders of the ISMGeorge Rishmawi) for his input. "When Gabe asked, 'What would you think about Evergreen students wearing kaffiyehs at graduation?' George gave a huge smile and said, 'That would be wonderful!' Also, my Arab friends in Seattle thought it was such a wonderful idea, they wanted to come down to take photos of it. Believe me, Palestinians, and Arabs more generally, greatly appreciate the show of solidarity. That is why they cherish Rachel Corrie so much."]

Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral. -- Paulo Freire

[In preparation for commencement, an ad hoc coalition collaborated in producing an Alternative Program Guide, from which the text for this photo essay is adapted.]