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When fear traps our neighbors
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Hi Reader, This month, I've written to you a lot about supporting and speaking up with our immigrant neighbors. In addition to sharing children's book recommendations and conversation tips, I'm also donating 25% of the sales of From the Margins to the Center children's book guide to Vecindarios 901, a rapid response immigrant support network. (FYI, this special donation campaign will wrap up on Saturday.) None of our neighbors should be trapped in their homes, fearful of what will happen if they step beyond their front doors. That includes our neighbors who live far away from us, like my friend Ameera Skaik in Gaza. Though we live 6,000 miles apart, I do think of her as my neighbor, friend, and even as a sister. Ameera, her husband, and three children (Mansour age 13, Rafif age 10, and Mahmoud age 3) live in Gaza City, where strikes are still happening despite the "ceasefire." The house they are staying in is just 300 meters from the yellow line boundary, a dangerous area where the Israeli newspaper Haaretz describes the IDF as using a "shoot first, ask questions later" policy toward Gazan civilians. Ameera is still bound by fear. She wrote me a few days ago that: Do you know something? Since the ceasefire, I haven’t left the house except for absolute necessities, like buying winter clothes for my children or when my husband and I buy them food. My children ask me to take them to our relatives’ houses to play with their children, and to take them to other places, but I’m too scared... The bombing starts suddenly, and there was also an incursion near us two days ago. I truly wish I could live in safety and peace. I’ve changed so much because of the war. " For Ameera and other Gazans, the war didn't end; its intensity just changed. There is still no infrastructure or jobs available. Food prices are still high. Sickness from floodwaters that contain sewage is common. Mansour and Rafif are still not in school. And now it's the holy season of Ramadan, the third one that Ameera and her family have not been able to celebrate properly because of war. Ameera is quite the chef and baker; she's sent me mouth-watering pictures of the iftar treats she used to make to break the family's fast at the end of the day. Before the genocide began, Ameera's family would be sharing zakat (giving to charity) with their neighbors in need. Now they are asking for it, and I know that Ameera is so tired of having to ask. I would love for Ameera to receive enough support to be able to offer some small Ramadan and Eid treats to her children this year. After so much suffering, it doesn't take much to delight the children. When Ameera gave 3 year old Mahmoud grapes the other day, he didn't even know what this fruit was. After eating them, she said his "happiness was indescribable." Ameera needs our continued solidarity for her family's day-to-day survival, but she also hopes long term to be able to evacuate to another country. She's trying her best to set aside some of the funds she receives for travel and resettling so that she's prepared if that suddenly becomes a possibility. Please consider making a donation of any size to Ameera's GoFundMe. None of our neighbors deserve to live in fear, and they all deserve our love and support.
With love and hope, Rebekah Rebekah Gienapp (she/her/hers) | rebekahgienapp.com | Connect on Instagram | Coffees for Gaza | |
Raising antiracist kids
Are you a parent, caregiver, or educator who wants to help children become brave justice seekers? Subscribe for practical tips, children's book recommendations, and resources for antiracist families and classrooms.
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