Because I have been speaking out against the genocide in...
Arnesa Buljušmić-Kustura@arnesa_kustura
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Jun 16, 2024
~2 min read
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Because I have been speaking out against the genocide in Palestine…I have lost friends, colleagues, career opportunities, job offers, and my consulting contracts too.
I’m a genocide survivor & educator. & I cannot wrap my mind around the fact people think I should be quiet.
I’m a genocide survivor & educator. & I cannot wrap my mind around the fact people think I should be quiet.
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This has posed all sorts of issues. I have had threats to myself and my family. I have had the most vile of messages sent to me. Constant harassment. It has obviously caused significant financial issues too b/c I feel like I have been blacklisted.
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It’s been horrible, truthfully and life has kicked my ass. But I speak to my colleagues, I speak to genocide scholars & activist and I feel at peace with my decision to continue speaking out…they know and I know that silence is complicity.
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Despite the fact speaking out against genocide has caused some severe consequences for me…I refuse to be silent.
I would have wanted people to speak out for me. I would have needed people to speak out against the genocide. So, I will continue to speak and I refuse to be silent.
I would have wanted people to speak out for me. I would have needed people to speak out against the genocide. So, I will continue to speak and I refuse to be silent.
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The thing that is truly getting to me is that my friends, colleagues, these various organisations and employers (past & prospective) have always asked me about the Bosnian genocide. They wanted me to speak about my trauma and my experiences….but to stay silent about others.
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You cannot use my trauma when it is convenient for you. You cannot stand there and call me inspirational as long as my experience is valuable to you. You cannot ask me to speak only when you want…and stay silent when it is inconvenient for you, your sponsors & investors.
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It has been a very difficult 75 days for me.
But it has been far, far worse for the Palestinian people…and that is why I will continue to shout and scream that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.
But it has been far, far worse for the Palestinian people…and that is why I will continue to shout and scream that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.
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Money comes and money goes. Opportunities come and go. I will survive this…I know that. Something will come along. Life will get easier and stable again. I’ll be fine….eventually. Hopefully. Most of us will.
But will the Palestinians have that same chance?
But will the Palestinians have that same chance?