Teach Palestine

Our purpose, and the driving force behind the "Teach Palestine" initiative, stems from a crucial understanding: the United States has been inextricably linked to the oppression of the Palestinian people since the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. This historical entanglement underscores our duty as Americans to engage with this struggle for self-determination, preservation of heritage and liberation. As authors in Palestine in the Classroom wisely note, "Silence is also a part of the curriculum. What is missing from school tells young people what not to consider, what not to question, and whose lives do not count. Palestine has long been one of the great silences in the official curriculum." This exhibit endeavors to humanize and honor Palestinians, despite their perpetual dehumanization in mainstream American society as evidenced in the news, in the government and in schools. Every person deserves to be heard and seen, a right too often taken for granted. As Palestinian American mother Nina Shoman-Dajani expresses, "Of the hundreds of assignments my children have brought home from school over the years, not one of them has referred to Palestine." This exhibit aims to ensure that Palestinian experiences are visible, fostering inclusion and recognizing Palestinians as equal members of our society with the right to their own narrative.