offthebeatenpath
Between Devastation and Indifference: A Christian Lebanese Reflection
As a Christian Lebanese, I cannot hide my disappointment—my own community has shown a staggering lack of empathy toward those suffering in the south. While Israeli bombs reduce villages, homes, and lives to rubble, we, the Christians in Beirut, continue as if nothing has changed. Restaurants are full, nightlife is booming, and daily routines remain …
Gaza: Resilience Amid Ruins
I live in the United States, where I often look around and see people going about their day, sipping coffee, jogging, shopping — untouched by the images of Gaza that now live in my mind. It is not indifference born of ignorance; it is a chosen blindness. To the so-called “West”: spare us your lectures …
Rethinking “The Promised Land” and “The Chosen People”
Religious language can be beautiful, comforting, and deeply meaningful. But it can also carry implications that go unchallenged for generations. Phrases like “the promised land” and “the chosen people” are more than just symbolic — they can shape identities, justify actions, and, in some cases, perpetuate inequality. In today’s world — where nationalism, displacement, and …
Chants Are Not the Crime — Genocide Is
In recent months, Western leaders and media outlets have erupted in outrage — not at the mass killing of Palestinian civilians, not at the leveling of entire neighborhoods in Gaza, and not at the starvation used as a weapon of war — but at musicians daring to say “Free Palestine” or chant “Death to IDF” …
Western Exceptionalism and the Politics of Privilege and Punishment
The belief in Western superiority—rooted in centuries of colonial dominance, military power, and economic control—continues to shape how the United States and Europe engage with the world. These nations often see themselves not as equal participants in a shared global system, but as exceptional actors, entitled to privileges that others are denied. This worldview, built …
On Easter Sunday, This World Is Not Normal—And Neither Am I Anymore!
Today is Easter Sunday. A day that marks the resurrection of Jesus—the story of an innocent man, beaten, humiliated, and nailed to a cross in front of a silent, complicit crowd. And yet, we call this day holy. We call it sacred. We dress in pastels, go to brunch, and speak of redemption and light. …
Gladiators Then and Now: Resistance or Terrorism?
Ridley Scott’s latest film Gladiator II has reignited interest in the legendary gladiators of ancient Rome, portraying them as symbols of defiance against tyranny. Audiences cheer for their strength and resilience, seeing them as heroes who fought for justice and freedom. Yet, in today’s world, those who engage in similar resistance are often labeled as …
Indigenous Resistance and the Legacy of Western Imperialism
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a stark example of how Western colonialist ideologies continue to shape global narratives about power, resistance, and justice. Supporters of Israel, particularly from Western societies, often justify occupation through a lens of entitlement and superiority, dismissing the right of indigenous people to resist. This perspective not only mirrors the logic of …
Western Hypocrisy And The Hollow Ideals of Human Rights and Accountability
For decades, international bodies and Western powers have paraded lofty ideals of human rights, justice, and accountability—concepts they insist are the bedrock of a global order. But these principles have shown themselves to be hollow, reserved only for those deemed worthy by the West, rarely applied to the oppressed. For Palestinians, these principles are a …
Media Bias in the Israeli War on Gaza and Lebanon
The use of language by Western media in reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reveals significant biases, shaping public perceptions in favor of Israel while dehumanizing Palestinians. A comprehensive analysis of major media outlets, such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Times, illustrates how linguistic framing drastically differs when reporting …
Where were you when the genocide happened?
A hypothetical video set in the year 2040 imagines a world commemorating the 16th anniversary of the horrific genocide that took place on October 7, 2023, where thousands of Palestinians were brutally killed in an atrocity that shocked the world. The video envisions a global day of remembrance, where nations unite in grief, solidarity, and …
The Double Standard of “Self-Defense”: Whose Rights Are We Acknowledging?
The phrase “Israel has the right to defend itself” is one we frequently encounter in political discourse, especially in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This assertion is often voiced by governments, international organizations, and media outlets following instances of violence or military actions. The sentiment implies a natural and unquestionable right for a nation …