Today’s Reading October 16, 2023
Fred has an excellent, well-researched piece on how Palestinians have had their water stolen for decades (and sold back to them at high prices), and how Palestinians in Gaza today face not only Israeli bombs, but the complete shut-off of water. I recommend it. Water as Weapon by Fred Klonsky.
UFT members, and especially chapter leaders, were stunned this weekend to learn that Mulgrew / Unity removed Queens Borough Rep Amy Arundell from her position supporting members, chapter leaders, and staff, and running the Queens Office. Rumors are swirling about secret reasons – but Amy stood up for the humanity and dignity of Palestinians in a deeply hostile, vicious environment. Which, by the way, has nothing to do with how well Amy serves her members, and frankly, members and Chapter Leaders from other boroughs. I first met her – maybe I’ll say more another day – as I was learning about SBO transfers, and she walked me through the process to help me make sure my (new) school got it right. Anyhow, I’m not writing today, but Arthur wrote all weekend. Good stuff. Take a look: Amy Arundell Is the Best Unity Has to Offer (October 13) and Michael Mulgrew Looks at Due Process (October 15).
The infuriating New York Times provides “liberals” cover for being racist or supporting war. I read “The Morning” by David Leonhardt (because it is free. I will not send them my money). And this morning, straight out of a deeply racist playbook, he denied the ethnicity of murder victim, killed for being Palestinian. Wadea Al-Fayoume was 6 years old, and Palestinian, born in the US, and murdered, for who he was. Which Leonhardt hides.
No link from me. Not to the Times.
Finally, I am trying to clear my schedule to join this – it feels important.
JD2718 
As the grandson of Holocaust survivors, I applaud Mulgrew’s decision to remove Amy. She is representing educators and should be against the systemic antisemitic brainwashing of Palestinian children by Hamas. Shame on you Arthur.
This is Jonathan, not Arthur.
And I do not ask to remove UFT officers for having views that differ from mine – it is the work on the behalf of members that matters – and Amy stood out for doing good work on behalf of members.
Shame on you, for not having the courage to use your name. And shame on you, for using their memory to justify killing thousands of civilians.