When I watched movies like Schindler’s List when I was younger, I imagined what I would’ve done in that era. I would like to think that I would have been on the side of the oppressed and helped to save those who were Jewish, Romani, gay, and different. I think we all would like to believe we would be on the right side of history until we are in the midst of it, such as what is happening in Gaza. I find myself at the same juncture that I wished I were before, and I find complacency. Worst, there are those who fight for the oppressors, and I see why history repeats itself. This particular war is very touchy because it involves two oppressed groups, one of which has been historically oppressed and has experienced the horror of ethnic cleansing in the past. What I find interesting is that those in the Christian right are now taking up for Jews when they once chanted ‘Jews will not replace us,’ and no one bats an eye.

Those in the majority in America have long held negative views about minorities, immigrants, and Jews and have blamed Jews for a multitude of issues such as election fraud, the liberalization of children through media, and the racist trope of them hording money intended for others. However, the very same people who have stood on these lies are now using Jews to fuel their hatred of Muslims and Palestinians. All of a sudden, they support Israel’s right to defend themselves by bombing all inhabitants of Gaza. However, this time around, things are a little different. This has been happening for years, but this time, people are not so quick to believe the media and what they are told. Because of social media, they are able to see other stories and many people are awakening to the idea that Palestinians are the colonized people who are being exterminated from their land. The tide is changing, but at what cost? The cost of Jewish and Muslim lives hang in the balance.

And what can we do on this side of the world? It’s hard to voice even an opinion when either side states that you are not supporting them. However, you can support the people of Palestine without hating those of Jewish descent, for they have nothing to do with the Israeli government. When this war quiets down, Jews will still be vilified by conspiracy theorists and Muslims will still be ostracized by many Christians. Whatever your views, don’t let them be co-opted by the majority to fuel their hatred of someone different than them. There is little I can do to help the oppressed or change history, but I know which side of history I’ll be on.