Better to be Censured
This week the US congress took the unusual step of censuring one of its members. At the initiation of Marjorie Taylor Greene, a republican from Georgia, the motion against Rashida Tlaib gained momentum after Tlaib spoke at a demonstration for peace. This initial effort to intimidate Tlaib was problematic, as Greene was removed from committee posts when the Democrats had control of congress, primarily because of her violent social media posts. Among them was a Facebook post showing Greene holding an assault rifle on Tlaib and two of her progressive colleagues, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) Greene is among the most extreme right-wing members of congress and is known for suggesting that California wildfires were caused by Jewish space lasers. Her efforts to censure were difficult to take seriously.
Tlaib criticized the move as “unhinged. Representative Tlaib said:
"I am proud to stand in solidarity with Jewish peace advocates calling for a cease-fire and an end to the violence," she said. "I will not be bullied, I will not be dehumanized, and I will not be silenced. I will continue to call for cease-fire, for the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid, for the release of hostages and those arbitrarily detained, and for every American to be brought home."
On November 7 the house voted for censure, this time offered up by Greene’s fellow Georgian, Representative Rich McCormick. The process forced Representative Tlaib to stand and listen as she was accused of “promoting false narratives” and calling for the destruction of Israel. She is the only Palestinian American in congress.
In the immediate aftermath, Tlaib was embraced by many of her progressive colleagues, and she refused to back down. She has continued to call for a cease fire, has defended her criticisms of the Israeli government, and pleaded for a recognition of the Palestinian people as full human beings facing unimaginable suffering. She said in an emotion filled response “I cannot believe I have to say this, but Palestinian people are not disposable.”
Tlaib also reminded Congress and the democrats that she is not standing alone. She is standing with most Americans who are in favor of an immediate cease fire. Polls show that in Michigan fully 71% of democrats agree with an immediate cease fire. As demonstrations grow across the country, the consensus will only grow stronger. Placing herself as part of the peace movement globally Tlaib said, “You can try to censure me, but you cannot silence their voices.”
Representative Tlaib is a product of Detroit. She claims her roots in the activist community that has a long history of challenging militarism, racism, and capitalism. It is a community that well understands that the power structure maintains itself by demonizing its critics, denying them humanity and dignity.
Congress continues to justify violence. It is incapable of saying that the killing of children, elders, and the hospitalized is wrong. It is spending billions of dollars on death. it is a sign of honor to offend them. Those who are praised by Congress today, are on the wrong side of history. Better to be censured than embraced by the devil.