Here we are again in the never-ending War on Terror™, blowing up people in the Middle East. I cannot remember a time in which the United States was not bombing or subverting governments around the world. U.S. imperialism is the one constant in my lifetime (and throughout the history of the United States, that plus genocide. Oh yeah, and colonialism). It’s almost as if those in power have never fully grasped that we are all connected on this earth–the people, the land and water, flora and fauna–and that we must recognize and honor our shared humanity in order to survive.
American Wigeons in flight at Ediz Hook, 12.29.25
In the meanwhile, we’re flying our flag of Palestine and focusing on some local issues that need our voices. And we continue to read. I’m being more intentional about sprinkling in lighter fare to keep myself afloat, but am also finding inspiration and greater understanding in some non-fiction such as the excellent UNBUILD WALLS by Silky Shah and THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE FREE: GERMANS, 1933-1945 by Milton Mayer. I recommend both and also want to share this anti-imperialist reading list from Haymarket Books. The following text appears at the top of that Haymarket Books page:
“The real enemy of my people is here. I will not disgrace my religion, my people or myself by becoming a tool to enslave those who are fighting for their own justice, freedom and equality.” —Muhammad Ali on refusing to fight in Vietnam
The myth of American innocence is perpetually reinvented in the face of an unprecedented history of violence, upheld by bipartisan consensus and a pliant corporate media.
Alongside its history of settler colonialism, cruel border policies, and overt and covert military intervention around the world, the US also has been home to a long tradition of resistance to war and militarism—often including the participation of active-duty soldiers and veterans. There are histories that urgently need to be remembered.
To better equip the movement against imperialism for the struggles to come, we offer a reading list on the tremendous violence carried out by the American Empire, and the heroic efforts of those who oppose it.
No to war, no to empire. Open the borders. Refugees welcome. Unconditional support to war resisters.
I hope you’ll peruse the list to see if something sparks your interest. Personally, I don’t think you can go wrong reading anything by Arundhati Roy or Harsha Walia. And Light in Gaza is one of those books you can pick up and open to any page where you’ll find something soul-expanding.
Solidarity! ✊🏽
Tracy Abell 
Thank you for this Tracy!! Ramadan Kareem 🌙
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Wishing you peace throughout Ramadan and beyond, Karima.
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I’m so glad that you’re finding ways to stay afloat during the turbulence. Thanks for the recommendation of books by Shah and Mayer. I’ll add them to my next book order. Yesterday I received my order for three poetry collections from Haymarket Books. Solidarity!
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That’s wonderful about the poetry collections, Rosaliene. Hoping you’ll share some on your blog with your insights and thoughtful commentary. 🙂
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That’s my plan, Tracy.
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Yay! Thank you. I know many here in the WP community especially love your poetry posts.
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😀
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Tracy, it’s pretty impossible for me to stay grounded in this chaos. The rulers seem to have me right under their thumb. But, I will not stop trying. Thanks for staying strong and being an inspiration for us all and for the book recommendations. I’m reading Howard Zinn’s “A People’s History of the United States”. Wow, do I wish I’d read this a long time ago but better now than never I suppose. I sure have had my eyes opened by people like you and other truth tellers on this crazy internet machine. So, thanks for that! Solidarity!
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You’re too kind, Mara. I’m very grateful we’ve connected here. I felt the same way about “A People’s History” and really, really wish it’d been assigned reading in high school. We’d all be much better off. Take good care and don’t let the oligarchs keep you dowon!
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Well, I’m planning on heading down to the white house to protest this evil war on Sat. So much to do! No time to be down.
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And, I want to add, your title here would make a good sign. No to war! No to empire!
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It IS a good title and I want to reiterate that I borrowed it from Haymarket Books. They get the credit. 🙂
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Thank you very much for showing up and speaking out, Mara. Solidarity!
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It’s a pleasure and the very least I can do. Solidarity!
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I’ve been thinking about you, Mara. I hope there was a good turnout at the protest against war on Iran and that being in community with others raised your spirits a bit. I appreciate you.
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Thanks for thinking of me, Tracy. There was a small but very passionate and diverse crowd and a lot of police. It got kind of exciting when another crowd supporting the war started marching towards us. I was told they were paid agitators. Hmmm I wonder who paid for that? It was good to voice my frustration but the small showing of anti-war protestors was concerning considering the protest back in 2003 against the Iraq war was enormous. My sign seemed popular so thanks for the idea! Hope you are out enjoying your Sunday in your beautiful and land and getting some good photos. 🙂
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Very glad there was a passionate and diverse crowd, Mara. Boo to the large police presence, though. And boo to the pro-war crowd because like, whaaaat?! Just took a windy walk in the sunshine with Zippy and Emma and will head out soon to hang out in a park with some friends and their children which is the balm I need. Happy Sunday to you!
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Sounds like an excellent plan!
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It was very windy and the kids had a kite, and it was so much fun to watch them run back and forth as they kept it aloft. Lots of smiles and laughter!
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March is the month for kites. What fun!
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The number of times the US, whether through military action or CIA activity, the regime change has been foisted on different counties is disconcerting. Often it has left a country no more democratic, often a more oppressive ruler and not to mentionvthecdisruption in the daily lives of the common people (to put it politely). How much of the disruption has resulted in people (ironically) choosing to immigrated to the US to escape the turmoil in their home country?
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Your assessment is spot-on. It’s shameful what the U.S. has done around the world. And yes, many of the people from the global south trying to come here are doing so because of either U.S. disruption and/or our massive carbon outputs that put those countries on the frontlines of climate change. Deeply wrong, all the way around.
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