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Meanwhile in the Quebec news...
Wait, would this even be news in Quebec?
Since the 1980s, the watermelon has been an emblem of Palestinian solidarity,
I did not know that.
Is it common knowledge outside of political action circles?
I would say it's well known among activists, and outside that community, it's only a little known. It's probably about on the level of sunflowers being used as a symbol for support of Ukraine. It's nowhere near as well-known as Winnie the Pooh being used as a symbol of protest against Xi Jinping.
Seems like the Streisand Effect is at play here. I never would have noticed a watermelon as a political symbol if they hadn't reacted this, i would just think it's a bit of whimsy. Now tons of people are reading about it
As many said, it's common knowledge if you've been generally knowledgeable about the colonialism from the 80s and/or if you've been informed because of the current escalation of the genocide.
Israel has had a "military rule" (administratively, judicially, and physically) over a good chunk of Palestinian lands since 1967 (other than what was colonized already). Under military rule law, even the Palestinian flag could put a child in administrative detention (prison with abuse) for an indeterminate amount of time (months to years).
To circumvent the oppressive rule, Palestinians took up the watermelon 🍉 which has the green, black, red, and white of the Palestinian flag.
the watermelon 🍉 which has the green, black, red, and white of the Palestinian flag.
I wouldn't have made that connection either.
I doubt I could recognize the flags of hundreds of countries, theirs included.
Yeah, of course! And other countries share those same colours on their flag - it's not about the colours, but knowing about the oppression that's important; and it's never too late or wrong to learn and share!
but knowing about the oppression that's important
I have been well aware of the oppression, the bullshit that the Israeli "settlers" are doing and much more.
But I didn't know that the watermelon had been adopted as a symbol relevant to the issue.
It's not realistic to expect that everyone can know every single detail of every situation.
I'm sure I know some details about certain situations that you haven't heard of, just the same as you probably know things that I have never been aware of.
None of that is any reason to treat others as hostile enemies simply due to lack of exposure to certain details (as some people in this thread seem to want to do).
I'm sorry, was I being hostile? I thought I was maintaining an informative tone.
Not you, but some responses have been leaning in that direction.
watermelon
are watermelons grown in palestine? isnt it water intesive.
Explained in the article that it's because the Palestinian flag is illegal in Israel, so they use a watermelon with the same (or similar, I imagine?) colours.
I've seen it in bios with Palestinian flags but never had it explained that the two were linked.
Never heard of it before.
Ge asked whether wearing a Pride flag would be disallowed if it made a homophobic person uncomfortable.
“I don’t know if that’s the point of the discussion,” Farber said.
Isn’t it though?
“I don’t know if that’s the point of the discussion,” Farber said.
It's not, but it is related to a far more important one.
The current discussion is if a watermelon pin is appropriate attire for a professional. The larger, more important discussion is "What causes are appropriate for someone to publicly support?", and further "Who gets to decide what causes are approved?"
Those are all born of the same unasked question: Why is admin so focused on continuing to undermine staff support of marginalized & vulnerable communities when that's exactly what hospitals are for!?
Oh, right. The shareholders. 🖕🏼
The shareholders of the Ontario Medical Association? I guess those would be the taxpayers of Ontario, maybe. Or the doctors perhaps.
Derth, derth to the IDF.
Here is laid bare, the infiltration of Israeli misinformation into Canada.
Wear a shirt or socks with watermelons on it. Are Farber and Berman Jewish?
Farber is definitely German.
Now do lawyers.