PALESTINE
Recently, I've had considerable difficulty maintaining a consistent publishing schedule on The Blackletter website, and I sincerely regret this lack of consistency.
As I am solely responsible for this project, I have decided to enlist the support of Hanna, whose assistance will be instrumental in furthering the growth and development of this platform.
After returning from a much-needed holiday, I found myself caught up in a whirlwind of events, both in France and around the world, that left me feeling profoundly overwhelmed.
As a result, my ability to immerse myself in reading and digesting books was severely hampered, as my mind felt stifled and deprived of the necessary breathing space for intellectual engagement.
Meanwhile, I maintained an active presence on my page, @kgisors, where I talked about the situation in Palestine and constantly shared updates. Despite my modest following of around 2,650 people, I noticed a sharp drop of more than 50 followers following my most recent posts. And despite this setback, I remained determined to raise awareness of the injustices and genocide unfolding before our eyes.
My efforts to raise awareness were met with a stern warning from Instagram, which resulted in me being temporarily blocked from leaving comments for two days.
This setback did not deter me from my mission to shine a light on the ongoing developments. Tragically, my account was made completely inaccessible, leaving me without access to my platform for a week. This suspension feels unfair and lacks any clear and justifiable reason.
I am inclined to believe that this action may have been unjustly triggered, possibly as a consequence of my support for the plight of Palestinian children who have borne the brunt of the ongoing ethnic cleansing in the region.
As a global citizen deeply concerned about humanitarian crises, I have used my digital platform to raise awareness and promote a message of empathy. My sole and unwavering intention has always been to promote meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding, always mindful of adhering to Instagram's community guidelines in good faith.
I believe a significant source of the frustration directed at my account stems from my emphasis on sharing videos featuring Jewish individuals who vocally express solidarity with Palestine. These notable individuals, including comedians, academics, Holocaust survivors, and respected rabbis, hold perspectives that diverge from the dominant Zionist narrative about Israel and its fundamental right to exist..
Reflecting on these events led me to wonder why, after countless instances of marginalised voices being silenced by the platform, people of colour still strive to establish themselves in spaces where they are not truly accepted.
Our presence is only tolerated if we conform to the expectations of the status quo, which is often defined by a capitalist agenda.
Instagram's algorithmic biases and content moderation policies contribute to the spread of white supremacist ideologies by suppressing and silencing marginalised voices that challenge dominant power structures.
This phenomenon of account suppression, shadow banning or content moderation highlights the inherent biases and systemic barriers that exist within social media and even AI that contribute to the propagation of white supremacist ideologies by disproportionately targeting and silencing marginalised and underrepresented groups.
Specifically, the censorship of posts related to issues such as racism, white supremacy, colonialism and LGBTQ+ rights, where only certain narratives and perspectives are allowed to flourish. These practices reinforce the dominant norm of heteronormative, patriarchal and racist structures and limit the visibility and impact of content that challenges these oppressive norms.
SO I ASK MYSELF, WHY ARE WE STILL ON THIS PLATFORM OF MAKING THEM RICH?
In our never-ending quest to fit into a world that often fails to see our true essence and celebrate our unique qualities, it becomes all too easy to compromise authenticity in exchange for acceptance. The painful truth, however, is that the distance we create between ourselves and our authentic selves only further hinders our journey to finding true belonging. For people of color, dedicated spaces hold an immense power. These sanctuaries provide a refuge from the constant judgement and insecurity that often permeates our daily lives. It is here that we truly reclaim our identities, reclaim our voices and reclaim our worth, so I am waiting for us to come together and create more of these sanctuaries, these spaces of celebration and belonging - new social media are needed and NOW!
But I am determined to refocus and deliver quality content. Recent developments in France and around the world have only reinforced the importance of amplifying black voices and stories. With Hanna's support, I am confident that our platform will flourish and provide a space for celebration and empowerment.
Going forward, I am committed to rediscovering the joy of reading and sharing these experiences through The Blackletter.
I appreciate your understanding during this challenging time and look forward to embarking on this new journey together.
Thank you for your continued support and stay tuned for upcoming issues of The Blackletter as we revive and cultivate this beautiful platform.