Thread by @abughazalehkat

🧵 A lot of Americans just don’t know what life is like for those in Gaza, so here’s an analogy that might help:

Imagine Gaza as Rhode Island. Here’s what reality would look like:

2/ Anyone from Rhode Island would be trapped within its borders.

Rhode Islanders can’t leave without express permission from Massachusetts. Connecticut is complicit in this plan, effectively restricting any movement from those trapped in RI.

3/ Keep in mind, RI is the 2nd most densely-populated state in the U.S with 10x more land and half the amount of people of the Gaza Strip.

If we do a basic proportion for this analogy (land/population), RI’s population would be ~26,000,000.

4/ Despite hearing a lot of scary stuff about the people of Rhode Island, over 40% of its 26,000,000 is 14 or younger.

The median age in Rhode Island is 18 compared to 30 in the neighboring Massachusetts.

5/ Even though the population is large and growing, only 4% of the fresh water in Rhode Island is drinkable.

The community has tried to get supplies to build water infrastructure, but those supplies need Massachusetts approval, which it denies 85% of the time.

6/ And it’s not just water infrastructure.

Massachusetts authorities have stopped Rhode Island from receiving everything from wheelchairs to macaroni.

Because cement is also blocked, RIers have to repair their homes with mud after Massachusetts air raids.

7/ Every year, Rhode Island hospitals see 13% more kidney problems because of the toxic water. And because of lack of supplies, doctors often refer the patient to seek care in Massachusetts.

But this care requires a permit — one that can be denied any time for any reason.

10/ Don’t even factor in the idea of occupation right now. Just ask yourself,

Would you be okay with this scenario?

If you stripped away race and religion, is anything you just read acceptable?

11/ Are you okay with any government packing an open-air prison to the gills?

Are you okay with any state denying clean water, healthcare, food, education, and human rights?

12/ I know it sounds silly to picture Massachusetts forcing Rhode Island to be a living Hell.

But everything before this is *actually happening*. It’s just been happening to brown people (largely children) on the other side of the globe.

13/ In this scenario, would you consider it hateful to call for an end to this oppression? Or would you lay the blame at the feet of the state and its ardent supporters?

I know I’d pick the second, especially when many MA civilians and descendants have fought for justice w/ us.

14/ Everything I’ve mentioned here is merely a drop in the bucket. But it’s enough to leave even the strongest person without hope.

Now imagine, on top of all of that, seeing millions across the world condemn you and your family and your race without a trace of hesitation.

I don’t know if this will click with anyone. I hope it does. But if it doesn’t, please ask yourself this:

If these decades-long crimes were committed against a U.S. state or Ukraine or even your favorite vacation spot… How would you feel about it then?