Journalists, Creatives, and Activists: 10 Powerful Palestinian Baddies to Know
As we approach more than 115 days of violence in Gaza against Palestine, we at Sustainable Baddie continue to focus our consciousness toward the genocide taking place. The multitudes of intersections within the climate action world ask us to be critical and take action against colonization and racism–both of which are driving the crisis in Palestine today and since the Nakba (catastrophe) in 1948.
In our sustained effort to illustrate and uplift the activists within Palestine, we have constructed a list of powerful, influential Palestinian journalists, creatives, and activists. These are actors and changemakers who we believe ought to be on your Instagram feed, in your email, on your bookshelf, and anywhere that activism shows up for you (on or) offline.
Activists and Journalists
Bisan - Waking up each morning to make sure that there is an update from Bisan has become a ritual for followers of the movement to free Palestine. On the ground as we write this, Bisan risks her life every day to deliver us regular and updated news about the state of Gaza.
The Palestine Pod, hosted by @GazanGirl, a Palestinian-American Lawyer, and @michael_schirtzer, a Jewish-American Comedian, delivers up-to-date information while also presenting their audience with essential education and commentary on the lengthy history of the colonization of Palestine.
Plestia Alaqad - A Palestinian journalist, Plestia Alaqad is currently based in Australia but covers the on-the-ground experience currently in Gaza. She offers a lens that is not shown in mainstream media and provides her reflections on what life was like in Palestine before October 7th.
Dua Aldasouqi - Dua is a dietician who specializes in delivering healthy and holistic nutrition advice to accommodate her mostly Muslim and halal audience. As food insecurity and starvation persist as tactics of violence used by the Israeli military, the discussion and conversation around food sovereignty is essential. Dua delivers various updates on the situation, the violence, and ways we can offer support through action, donations, and more.
Artists/Designers
Aya Ghanameh - Aya is a visual artist and writer and the creator of the children's book, These Olive Trees, a Palestinian Family story. Her art uplifts and inspires as she works to illustrate the beautiful land, history, and culture of Palestine.
Trashy Clothing - a self-identified “anti-luxury” Palestinian clothing label, Trashy Clothing designs clothing that is purposefully anticolonial and aims to confront or respond to some of our generation's greatest political questions. They use humor and joy to degrade colonial behavior through their designs, names, and brand construction. As expected, we are obsessed.
Meera Adnan - Meera Adnan is a designer with a self-titled label based out of Gaza City that reflects a modern take on traditional Palestinian styles and patterns. She considers her designs a romantic and nostalgic visual monologue to be viewed as a reclamation narrative. You can read more about her creations and her work from the Preserving Palestine Podcast that featured her and this article from The Molehill.
Community Events and Programming
Faithfully Sustainable - Faithfully Sustainable is a community created by Muslim activists working to connect the sustainability and climate action movement with the interests and beliefs of their majority Muslim audience. However, their content is made for all climate activists, and it is a powerful resource hub for intersectional activism.
Interference Archive and Fiber Friends for Falastin - Interference Archive is a Brooklyn-based community center that explores the relationship between cultural production and social movements. Currently, they combine fiber arts with Palestinian activism through their ongoing workshop, blending the radical nature of textile arts with that of social movements.
The People’s Forum - another New York-based community group, the People’s Forum is a hub for Free Palestine actions in and around New York. They regularly host volunteer events, artist events, education events, and general community connection and collaboration events. Many are in-person at their location in midtown New York, but others are virtual and any activist interested in finding community and education can attend.
Centering these voices is essential today and forever. Please share and include any other Palestinians whom you are learning from and who are helping you to fight for a free Palestine in the comments below. From the river to the sea, long live the intifada.