Over several weeks, I had walked by this book in my local Barnes & Noble numerous times. While drawn to its provocative title, I continuously resisted purchasing it. My primary reason was to avoid its difficult subject matter.
Finally last week, I picked the book off the shelf and began to read it. The writing was so clear and moving I felt compelled to buy it. The timing, given the events of this week, was prescient.
“One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This” is a journalist reckoning with society’s views and actions (or lack of action) regarding the atrocities in Gaza. It is also a father’s reckoning with his own Muslim identity, now raising his family in the West. It is unsparing in its judgment of politicians, the media, individuals and himself. “I am a coward,” was his self-assessment of his attempts to assimilate in Canada and America.
In general, I am an optimist. I believe that most people are good although we don’t always act that way. I prefer to tell people what I am for – rather than what I am against. It is a device that avoids conflicts, potentially allowing for more productive conversations with those who see the world differently. It is also, if I were being honest, an act of cowardice and self-preservation.
Watching the reactions to the events in Venezuela and Minneapolis this week from those who were defending both actions was eye-opening. People twisting themselves, their principles, and the facts to avoid what should be obvious. It begs the question why are some – myself included – so resistant to stating plainly what they are against?
Tribalism is a big factor. Our principles are more malleable than we like to think and too often bend towards the side we are on. We may be against an action if taken by the other side, but more forgiving if our team does it. Our proximity is another factor. How close are we to something? Can we simply ignore it if it doesn’t really affect us? Fear is another factor. Could we lose friends or face other repercussions for standing against something – economically or socially?
Some ask “Why bother?” What good does it do to voice what we are against? Why risk personal cost, when there may be nothing we can do about it anyway? It is true that with many things happening out in the world, we may feel powerless. But principled stances aren’t about outcomes. When we state plainly and clearly what we are against, we acknowledge the pain and suffering others may be feeling as a result. We provide solidarity with our voice – that they are not alone or ignored.
So let me state clearly the following things I’m against. Some may seem obvious, others perhaps not so much. Some may even feel contradictory:
I am against any act of terror. This includes the October 7th massacre and the acts of ICE in communities across our country.
I am against killing and harming innocent civilians. This includes those bombed in Gaza and those hit by US drone strikes during the Obama administration.
I am against senseless violence. This includes the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the killing of Renee Good in her car in Minneapolis.
I am against acts of unauthorized and unprovoked acts of aggression on sovereign nations. This includes the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the U.S. incursion into Venezuela.
I am against turning our backs on science and research. This includes recent recommendations regarding vaccines and ignoring the unintended consequences of affirmative action.
I am against belittling whole groups of people. This includes calling some “deplorables” and others “garbage.”
I am against stifling free speech. This includes that spoken on late night shows and on college campuses.
I am against spreading information without bothering to check the facts first. This includes both what people in power say at a podium and what each of us spread online.
My list could go on and on. But I think you get the point. In many of the cases above, I tried to use an example of a principled stance that cut both ways politically. (Please note, I am not suggesting they are equivalent in their degree.) While I pride myself on nuanced thinking and seeing both sides of an issue, I have tried to choose examples that I am unequivocally opposed to – regardless of the circumstance.
“One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This” made me question both my beliefs and my actions. What am I against? Is there anything that I will feel regret or shame in the future for not voicing my opposition to today. Is there anything I can do now?
Despite the many times I saw the cover of the book before purchasing, somehow I never paid attention to the two small silhouetted images above the title. Only this week did I see a picture of a small girl holding flowers waving hello at me, while a few inches above a bomb was falling towards her.
It was a reminder of how easy it is to ignore what is right in front of us and to say something before it’s too late.
Recommendation of the Week: Try to have an honest conversation with someone whose beliefs differ from yours. See if there are things happening in the world today that you are both against. I recently did this and found common ground regarding how ICE was disrupting communities, separating families and going after people without any criminal record. I found it hopeful, perhaps you will as well.
Consider sharing this with a friend.