So I’ve been debating whether to buy a “Free Palestine” shirt or a “From the river to the sea” shirt. I think I’ve settled on the former. Of course, my heart is with the later, I think it’s the better and more correct message.

But, I’ve been asking myself, what’s the purpose of even wearing it? I’m hoping that it will be useful to find likeminded people and maybe even engage strangers who want to understand what’s going better (I’ve been shocked by just how many people out there will admit they don’t know the first thing about Palestine, but if you seem like someone who knows things they will listen). As much as I love the “from the river to sea” chant, I think its message is completely lost on anyone not familiar with what’s going on there. I think it will just get ignored because those words have no meaning to 98% of Americans. But “free Palestine” is a simple message that tells people “hey this is something I care about and I might know a thing or two about it.”

Probably overthinking it but w/e.

Probably noting deeper than “you root against America and NATO, the Taliban is America’s enemy. Q.E.D. you support the Taliban.

That sounds like a panic attack. I get them, but in a different contexts from protests. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has helped me. You don’t have to pay for a therapist, plenty of resources online. I try and pay attention to what I am feeling. Just observe it without judging it/myself. Like, ok I am now feeling short of breath. So I’m just “observing” my breathing. It helps me keep calm and not to spiral towards more panic.