31/10/2023
🇵🇸 In the past three weeks, my heart, among many others, has been shattered witnessing the ongoing tragedy involving the innocent civilians of Gaza, including "OUR children." By "our children," I mean all children, for we have a moral duty to protect and defend.
In the midst of these heart-wrenching facts, I've found myself questioning the value of sharing stories, particularly children's books. When I started "Les Contes de Selma," I did it as a mother who yearned to empower her daughter with tales and cultures that would instill pride in her own cultural heritage, a culture, that remain still misrepresented in the editorial world. I wanted to teach her the importance of learning from other cultures, understanding diverse perspectives, and embracing both similarities and differences.
The disregard for the rights and stories of Palestinian children is not a recent story. It's fundamental to acknowledge that this situation has persisted for decades, spanning 75 years, and unfortunately, it seemed we had forgotten about it for far too long until recent disaster shook us to our core.
In moments like these, I believe we must speak up, in any means we have, despite the sadness and the wavering faith in humanity, much of this horror stems from the dehumanization of others and the cultivation of a paranoia, which enable today immoral and disgusting genocide. The perpetuation of stories remains essential in reminding us of the shared qualities that define us as human beings. It underscores the beauty of sharing stories among one another and serves as a powerful tool against the spread of misinformation. It allows us to say, "We have read their stories, and we are alike."
I'm immensely thankful to Rifk Ebeid for this story, that I believe should be in shelves of every library and bookshelf. It not only celebrates the resilient Palestinian culture but also remind a crucial lesson: teaching our children the significance of their names as their first cultural heritage, a link to their parents' history, and a source of pride to be celebrated. 🙏❤️ 🇵🇸