What does James Baldwin have to do with Gaza?

Dear Editor:Far more than you might think. Alexander Durie writes, “ … a lesser-known fact about him (Baldwin) was his enduring solidarity with Palestine and how he viewed strong parallels between Black and Palestinian liberation movements — united in their fight against oppression and imperialism.”In a 1971 interview Baldwin said, “ “You have got to remember, however bitter this may sound, no matter how bitter I may sound, that I have been, in America, the Arab at the hands of the Jews.”In the post-Jim Crow era we didn’t see physical walls separating Black from white, as exist today in Israel and Palestine. But the barriers, from redlining to inadequate schools to lack of equal job opportunities, have had the same effect on marginalized people.    Palestinians must carry ID cards saying exactly what places they can and cannot go, much like Black South Africans under apartheid. They can be detained indefinitely without charge or trial and many have died because of torture and brutal treatment while jailed.Many Christians today identify with Israel as the home of Jesus without considering that Jesus called out oppressors whoever they were, Roman occupiers or Jewish collaborators. Don’t give Israel a pass in this genocide! Stand...