Dear Reader,

Librarians and educators are at the forefront of defending marginalized voices. Yet a climate of fear prohibits many of them from featuring the most silenced and marginalized voices of our times: Palestinian American and Palestinian voices.

“Books on Palestine are sort of pre-banned, because who wants to get into so much trouble?,” says Dr. Alice Rothchild in an interview I conducted with her recently. “It’s important to face [anti-Palestinian censorship and marginalization], because we’re trying to develop an anti-colonial, anti-racist kind of education and critical thinking,” she continues. Dr. Rothchild is a retired ob/gyn, author, filmmaker, and activist for justice in Palestine. She put together, along with author Nora Lester Murad, a toolkit to support teachers and librarians and anyone K through 12 wishing to confront this censorship.

To defend against authoritarianism, it is especially important to be proactive and invite censored and marginalized voices, such as Palestinian writers and artists. (I am available to speak about Palestine, please reply if interested.)

In addition to censorship, the interview delves into Zionism and antisemitism, as well as her fascinating journey from a “typical” liberal Jewish American to a Palestine solidarity activist. I feature her middle-grade and young adult books in this newsletter. You’re invited to attend an informal conversation with Dr. Rothchild and myself in Howard County, Maryland this Saturday (Aug. 3). Q&A and book signings to follow.

If you are looking for a way to contribute financially to help Palestinians in a meaningful way, please consider supporting my campaign with the Iqraa running club to raise funds for United Palestinian Appeal’s Mahmoud Darwish Scholarship Fund.

With Love,
Ramsey Hanhan

Educators & Librarians Advance Free Speech on Palestine Toolkit to Defend Against False Accusations of Antisemitism by Nora Lester Murad and Alice Rothchild View/Download Toolkit

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EVENTS

An Informal Conversation on Palestine with Authors Alice Rothchild and Ramsey Hanhan Saturday, August 3 at 2:00 PM Elkridge Library - Belmont Room Let's come together to discuss important topics that often make people uncomfortable: Zionism, settler colonialism, the war on Gaza, and antisemitism. ​Q&A and book signing follows.

Organized by Howard County for a Free Palestine RSVP

INTERVIEW

With Dr. Alice Rothchild Part 1: On the absence of Palestine in children’s literature; on her fascinating journey from a “typical” liberal Jewish American to a Palestine solidarity activist; and on Zionism and antisemitism. Read Part 1 Part 2: On Writing, censorship, and combating false accusations of ‘antisemitism’ Read Part 2

BONUS: Books by Dr. Rothchild

Ramsey Hanhan is the author of Fugitive Dreams. His short stories and poetry appear in various publications. He also speaks publicly about Palestine and literature. He was formerly a physics professor noted for computer models that describe and predict complexity in nature. Hanhan holds a Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Michigan and currently resides in Maryland. ​​​​​

Fugitive Dreams is a literary exploration of the Palestinian experience through five decades of personal stories. Born in Palestine ‘on the “wrong” side of the border,’ Sameer finds his way to America to rebuild his life. ​https://fugitivedreams.us​

Available to talk about Palestine and books.

PO Box 374, Simpsonville, MD 21150
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