Page 13 - Issue-47

ELITE
Vol.1, Issue 47, September 2022 ELITE

And there is always the question of ambiguous Or, you can buy those Puma shorts because you
correlation, is the person boycotting per compassion like them way better than any other brand. Or, buy
or is he boycotting because he has to live up to the the HP laptop instead of any other brand because it
social perception of himself as a compassionate has better features and price. Even, I at this exact
person? Well here is the thing, we don’t know. And moment am uploading this article using a Google
it is this kind of ambiguity that renders the second browser, and after I finish I will probably open my
group weaker and doubtful, for example if BDS Google drive or check my Gmail because simply
launches a campaign against Google how many will I’m used to it. And while we do all that we say to
be actually willing to just switch to Safari or ourselves “it doesn’t matter anyway if I’m the only
Microsoft edge or any other browser? Well, we can’t person taking action”. Well, that is true. But you
be sure but personally I don’t think they will be a lot. know what else is true? The first lesson of
And I’m not saying this to blame, at the end of the adulthood: if you don’t do it yourself, no one will do
day every person does what he can, and a small it for you. Just like how once you grow up, you
action is better than none. But the difficulty of the learn that you have to pay your bills, wash the
action and our willingness to go through with it dishes and clean the house because simply no one
despite the difficulty brings up a question of faith will do it for you. If YOU don’t take actions for the
and belief. Do we really believe that our actions are sake of the cause that YOU support, no one will do
making a difference? Do we really believe that the it for you. Maybe we are not living under blockade
Israeli retaliation in form of bombardments means or face daily oppression, but even those who support
we are affecting them? Do we really believe that Palestine from afar struggle mentally with the
activism on social media is making Palestinians’ doubts and endless questions. Every time we see a
voice more heard? Are we really capable as post about a new crime to humanity, we are filled
individuals of impacting governments and making with rage and helplessness and the first thing that
them acts? Will there ever be a real solution that comes to mind is “if this is how I feel from here,
isn’t just a settling one? Do we really believe it when then how does it feel like to be there in the middle
we say “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be of it all?”. So let this be your reminder to take
free”? action, think about what we can do from your
position (as an individual, an institution or even a
Every time we take an action as simple as sharing a responsible) and do it without overthinking it. And
post we dismiss all the doubtful question for a simple remember it’s all about belief, faith and hope.
reason: hope. The thing about boycotting is that it
might seem like a simple personal choice but in fact
it is heavily impacted by society as well. Just like
most day-to-day actions, we are taking decision that
is influenced by group pressure and societal
conformity more than we think. When it comes to
Back reality, you can probably succumb to your friends’
Back
pressure to go watch the latest Marvel movie
To FEPS together. 11
To FEPS
To FEPS