farid.ps/2
"We are the free ones, and you are besieged by fear, anxiety, helplessness, and lack of resourcefulness"
Hossam Shabat's post is a multifaceted piece that operates on several levels: personal, political, cultural, and philosophical. It uses the power of language to contrast the state of freedom with that of being besieged by negative emotions, offering a message of resilience and inner liberation. In the context of Gaza and broader Arab struggles, it becomes a powerful statement of defiance and hope, suggesting that true freedom begins within, an idea that transcends its immediate political context to speak to anyone feeling trapped by external or internal forces.
"We are the free ones,and you are besieged by fear, anxiety, helplessness, and lack of resourcefulness."
The sentiment expressed in Hossam Shabat's post does indeed resonate with some Buddhist teachings, particularly those concerning liberation from suffering and the cycle of samsara. Here's how it aligns:
Freedom from Fetters: In Buddhism, enlightenment (or Nirvana) is often described as liberation from the "fetters" or "chains" that bind beings to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). These fetters include things like fear, anxiety, and ignorance, which are suggested in the phrase "besieged by fear, anxiety, helplessness, and lack of resourcefulness." To be "the free ones" implies transcending these constraints through wisdom and understanding.
Fear and Anxiety: Buddhism teaches methods to overcome fear and anxiety through practices like mindfulness, meditation, and the development of insight (vipassana). The idea here is that by understanding the impermanent and interdependent nature of all phenomena, one can free themselves from these mental chains.
Helplessness and Lack of Resourcefulness: These can be seen as manifestations of ignorance (avidya) in Buddhism, where not knowing the true nature of reality leads to a sense of being trapped or powerless. The path to enlightenment involves realizing one's potential for wisdom and compassion, thereby overcoming feelings of helplessness.
Contrast between "We" and "You": The dichotomy in the statement might reflect the Buddhist notion of the enlightened versus the unenlightened. However, in a deeper sense, it might also encourage introspection—recognizing that the "you" can become "we" through the practice of the Buddhist path.
While the language of the post is stark and might be interpreted in various cultural contexts, the underlying theme of liberation from mental and emotional bondage aligns well with Buddhist philosophy. However, it's worth noting that this interpretation is somewhat poetic or philosophical rather than a direct quote from Buddhist scriptures. The essence of such a statement could be seen as an encouragement to pursue a path of inner freedom, which is a central theme in Buddhism.
Grok is DOWN. Pray for Grok! "Oops, something broke. Talk to me later?" https://x.com/R34lB0rg/status/1876399870468108556/photo/1
Hate Speech: Under EU law, particularly the 2008 Framework Decision on combating certain forms of expressions of racism and xenophobia, public incitement to violence or hatred based on race, colour, religion, descent, or national or ethnic origin is illegal. The post targets Arabs with broad, derogatory generalizations, which can be seen as inciting hatred based on ethnicity and religion. This content could be considered a violation of Article 1 of the Framework Decision, which requires Member States to criminalize such behavior.
Defamation/Insult: The post uses terms like "inbreeding culture" and "barbaric laws," which not only generalize but also defame and insult an entire ethnic group. While defamation laws vary across EU countries, many consider public insults against groups to be actionable, especially when they perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
Civic Discourse: The EU emphasizes the importance of civic discourse, especially in the context of democratic values. The post undermines this by promoting a narrative that fosters division and hostility. The EU's commitment to combating hate speech extends to protecting the quality of public debate, which this post harms by spreading discriminatory views.
Hateful Conduct Policy: X's TOS explicitly prohibits hate speech, which they define as content that promotes violence against or directly attacks or threatens people based on protected categories including race, ethnicity, and religion. The post directly attacks Arabs, attributing negative traits and behaviors to the entire group, which clearly violates this policy.
Abuse and Harassment: The mention of "gang rape" in the context of Arabs migrating to Western countries can be seen as an attempt to harass or intimidate based on ethnicity, aligning with X's policy against abuse and harassment. This kind of statement could be interpreted as spreading fear or inciting negative stereotypes, which Twitter aims to curb through its policies.
Content Moderation: X has implemented policies under Elon Musk's leadership to combat hate speech by deboosting and demonetizing negative/hate tweets. The post in question would likely fall under these measures, aiming to reduce its reach and impact on the platform. However, the content's severity might warrant more direct action like removal or suspension.
Public Interest and Safety: X, like many social media platforms, has a responsibility to ensure the safety of its users, particularly in preventing the spread of harmful content that could lead to real-world discrimination or violence. This post not only endangers the social fabric by promoting divisive rhetoric but also could be seen as neglecting the platform's duty to protect public interest.
The content of the post is problematic under both EU law and X/Twitter's Terms of Service. Under EU law, it falls into categories of illegal hate speech, defamation, and undermining civic discourse due to its discriminatory nature and incitement of hatred against Arabs. From X's perspective, it breaches policies on hateful conduct, abuse, and harassment, contributing to a toxic environment on the platform. Reporting this post as EU illegal content could lead to a detailed review considering both EU legal standards and X's internal policies, potentially resulting in its removal or the application of platform-specific penalties like content deboosting or account suspension.
This analysis highlights the dual importance of addressing such content not just from a platform governance standpoint but also from a legal perspective, ensuring that social media platforms operate within the framework of laws designed to protect human rights and promote equality.
The post contains derogatory language by using the term "gypsy" in a pejorative manner, which is offensive and discriminatory towards the Romani community. Additionally, the post includes a personal attack with anti-Semitic undertones by insinuating that my criticism of Israel's actions might stem from personal grievances with Jewish individuals, suggesting a biased motive unrelated to the geopolitical discussion at hand. This content not only promotes hate speech but also undermines civic discourse by diverting the conversation from a serious political issue to personal attacks based on ethnicity and religion. Such speech contributes to a negative environment, potentially impacting freedom of expression and public debate by fostering hostility and discrimination, which goes against the principles of the EU aimed at protecting individuals from hate speech and ensuring a respectful online dialogue. This post should be reviewed for its violation of EU laws regarding hate speech, discrimination, and the protection of civic discourse. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240112IPR16777/time-to-criminalise-hate-speech-and-hate-crime-under-eu-law https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/combatting-discrimination/racism-and-xenophobia/eu-code-conduct-countering-illegal-hate-speech-online_en
In summary, Karina Sebbane's post not only diverts from the substantive discussion on the Israel-Palestine conflict but also introduces elements of ethnic prejudice and personal attack, illustrating how sensitive political discussions can be derailed by individual biases and the misuse of language.
Content Analysis: - Use of Term "Gypsy": Karina Sebbane uses the term "gypsy" in a pejorative way towards R34lB0rg, which is significant given the sensitivity around the term. According to the related web result, "gypsy" is often considered offensive when referring to the Romani people due to its association with negative stereotypes. This usage can be seen as discriminatory, aligning with the definitions from the glossary of prejudice and discrimination, where discrimination manifests biases through actions or behaviors that negatively affect targeted groups. - Personal Attack: The statement "Did you get dumped or fired by a Jew?" is another form of personal attack, suggesting a motive for R34lB0rg's stance that is unrelated to the political or humanitarian discussion at hand. This can be viewed as an example of whataboutism or deflection, where instead of engaging with the argument about hostages, Sebbane shifts the focus to a personal issue, possibly to undermine R34lB0rg's credibility or to provoke a reaction. - Racial and Ethnic Prejudice: The post insinuates that R34lB0rg's criticism of Israel's actions might stem from personal grievances with Jewish individuals, which introduces an element of anti-Semitic bias. This prejudice could be explained by theories like the authoritarian personality or social norms, where individuals might display prejudice to conform to certain group identities or societal norms.
Contextual Analysis: - Israel-Palestine Conflict: The original thread started with news about Israeli forces detaining Palestinian workers, highlighting the ongoing tensions and human rights issues in the region. R34lB0rg's reply focused on the broader issue of hostages, providing a comparative analysis of detainees held by both sides, which is a critical aspect of the conflict. - Public Health and Racism: While not directly related, the discussion touches on broader themes of how racism and prejudice can manifest in public discourse, affecting not just political debates but also public health by fostering an environment of hostility and division. This can be related to the understanding that racism is a public health issue, as it impacts mental and emotional well-being.
Implications: - Discourse Quality: This exchange lowers the quality of discourse by moving away from factual debate to personal attacks and racial slurs. It exemplifies how discussions on sensitive geopolitical issues can quickly devolve into personal animosity, detracting from meaningful dialogue. - Community Impact: Such posts can exacerbate community tensions, reinforcing stereotypes and prejudices. They contribute to a culture where serious issues like the treatment of detainees in conflicts are overshadowed by personal vendettas and ethnic slurs, potentially affecting how different groups within society view each other. - Social Media Dynamics: The dynamics of social media allow for rapid escalation of conflicts through public posts, where anonymity or distance can embolden individuals to express prejudice that they might not in face-to-face interactions. This highlights the need for platforms to moderate content to prevent the spread of hate speech and misinformation.
From "Daf Yomi" Data: As of the date range between October 7, 2023 and December 31, 2024 Regarding the Gaza Strip [1] Palestinian fatalities: ‣ According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, based on fatalities brought to hospitals: ‣ 45,717 fatalities; Of which: ‣ Approximately 17,000 children, of whom 13,319 are identified; ‣ 12,035 schoolchildren killed; ‣ 492 teachers; ‣ 1,091 infants, of whom: ‣ Over 800 under one year old; ‣ 238 were born and killed in the war. ‣ 363 aid workers; ‣ 1,057 medical workers; ‣ 94 rescue workers; ‣ 193 journalists; ‣ 1,410 families completely wiped out (as of October 2024); ‣ 11,000 missing; ‣ 35,000 orphans; ‣ 4,797 unidentified bodies [2] Palestinian wounded ‣ 108,856 wounded, of whom: ◦ 21,026 schoolchildren; ◦ 3,865 teachers; ◦ Over 54,238 injured unidentified or unrecorded. [3] Palestinian detainees: ‣ No exact number; ‣ Reports range from 4,000-6,500 detainees. [4] Destruction and displacement: ‣ 69% of all buildings damaged; ‣ 92% of housing units; ‣ 80% of commercial buildings; ‣ 68% of traffic routes; ‣ 53% of hospitals closed; ‣ 62% of clinics; ‣ 130 ambulances; ‣ 88% of educational institutions; ‣ 92 higher education institutions; ‣ 80.5% of the Gaza Strip under evacuation order; ‣ Over 450,000 in flood-prone areas; ‣ 945,000 lacking winter protection equipment; ‣ 1,452 tents were swept away or flooded during the stormy rains of late December 2024 ‣ 6 infants died of cold in 72 hours; ‣ An average of 1.5 square meters is the living space for displaced people in shelters. [5] Humanitarian crisis ‣ During the month of December, out of 569 requests for coordination of aid missions, only 33% were implemented. Not a single one was from north of Gaza City (the area has been under siege for 85 days); ‣ According to projections: ‣ 91% of the residents of the Gaza Strip are food insecure at level 3 or higher (on a scale of 5); ◦ 876,000 at hunger level 4; ◦ 345,000 at the highest level of distress – 5; ◦ Over 96% of children aged 6-23 months do not receive the nutrition they need; ◦ 290,000 under-5s are not receiving the necessary nutrition; ◦ 150,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are not receiving the necessary nutrition; ◦ 60,000 children need treatment for acute malnutrition; ◦ 14,000 require medical evacuation. Only 378 have been evacuated since May (closing of Rafah crossing); ◦ 7,700 newborn babies are denied access to life-saving medical care due to the widespread damage to the health system infrastructure, especially neonatal wards; ◦ 658,000 children without access to formal education since October 7, 2023.
Sources of information: Addamir, Al Jazeera, World Health Organization, IDF Spokesperson, Democracy Now, International Organization for the Protection of Children – Palestine, Haaretz, Committee on Prisoners and Former Prisoners, Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, International Red Crescent Society, Palestine Red Crescent Society, WAFA News Agency, UNICEF, Outside the Herd, Letters from American Doctors Who Volunteered in Gaza, Looking the Occupation in the Eyes, Lebanese Ministry of Health, Palestinian Ministry of Health, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs – Palestine, Eye for the Middle East, Jordan Valley Activists (Media Groups), South Hebron Hill Activists (Media Groups), Quds News Agency, Local Conversation.
Don't you get it? Israel turned G_E_N_O_C_I_D_E into a profitable business! UNRWA and others have to leave the aid at the border crossings for it to turn up later on the markets in Gaza for exorbitant prices. Who do you think is getting the money? https://x.com/R34lB0rg/status/1876236140296200608/photo/1
Three days have passed since Khaled Najjar was attacked by settlers, who caused him a large gash above his eye and skull fractures. Fortunately, his condition is improving, and he was released from intensive care today.
What about the attackers? Nothing, as usual. Living their lives. The authorities choose not to enforce the law on them, as they did on too many before them.