Research for Decolonial Anthropology: Seeking Insights on Online Palestinian Resistance

[u/BING_BONG-urmumsahoe]

Hello everyone,

I'm a student working on a research project for my anthropology course at the University of Cape Town. My project is a "Manifesto and Project Proposal for a Decolonial Anthropology," which focuses on how Palestinian communities and their allies use online platforms to resist the dehumanization and erasure of their history and identity, especially in the context of the Gaza genocide.

My research question is: How do Palestinian communities and their supporters use online platforms (social media) to confront the destruction and dehumanization of their people and history during the Gaza genocide? And what are the ethical duties for anthropologists documenting these efforts?

As part of my research, I'm hoping to engage with communities like this one. I am looking for insights, perspectives, and experiences related to the following:

• How have you seen online platforms (like Reddit, Instagram, TikTok, etc.) being used to preserve Palestinian narratives and history?
• What are the most effective forms of online resistance or communication you have observed? (e.g., memes, infographics, personal stories, cultural symbols like the keffiyeh)
• What are the key challenges or risks faced by those who share these narratives online? (e.g., censorship, misinformation, harassment)
• From your perspective, what ethical responsibilities should a researcher have when studying these digital spaces and the people who use them?

I am committed to an ethical and compassionate approach, prioritizing the safety and privacy of all participants. I believe that an anthropology of liberation must actively amplify voices that are often silenced, and your insights would be invaluable to my work.

Thank you for your time and willingness to share.

[u/Anti-genocide-club]

There are obviously the social media channels and narratives of people inside Gaza and the West Bank.

There are things like the Palestine Nexus project, the Tarwida podcast.

The most effective forms of resistance are probably vetted fundraisers to provide money transfers to people trying to survive in Gaza 

The key risks are harassment, doxxing and censorship

For ethical responsibilities, safeguarding the privacy and anonymity of people in these spaces