The emotional fireworks in response to the massacres in Gaza are stirring up mixed emotions in me. Take Radio stations for example, some “Islamic” radio stations have capitalized on the feelings of the masses by encouraging them to send SMS to certain radio shows to express their anger, sadness and support to people in Gaza. I’ve been listening to one channel (Hayat FM), and what people send is along the lines of “kill Israelis” and “Gaza the source of our pride”. Obviously people need to blow some steam or else they will explode. Also obviously, whoever is behind such radio channels want to help people get rid of this emotional burden and make them feel better. So be careful Israel, here we come with our local text messaging to local radio stations with the cleshes of prayers to Gaza and Hamas which are mainly consisted of long forgotten Arabic words used to describe anger and resentment towards the Zionists.

It’s true that everyone has the right to express themselves in the way they like, but you know what, I do have a problem with some ways and this is one of them. First because I don’t think we have earned the right to feel better yet, so don’t do something just to make yourself feel better. One of the shows in collaboration with some telecommunication company I suppose suggest that Jordanians start calling people in Gaza just to check on them and offer them their, again, emotional support. This ofcourse will make Jordanians feel less guilty about what’s happening right now and much better if whoever they have randomly talked to showed any sign of gratitude. I really think we don’t deserve this instant contentment, not just yet. Where were you before the latest massacres? What has changed exactly? The number of murdered Gazans divided over this very short period of time? Or is it that ISRAEL has finally declared it’s war intentions? Or because Al-Jazeera is airing those aweful photages of what’s going on?
Second, how much does it cost to send those SMS messages? Why not donate some money instead? I mean for God’s sake people, you’re not even sending them to Palestinians who live there, under the siege and under the war!

So no you don’t get to feel better just because you send emotional text messages to radio stations or even call just to yell a few words or recite a friggin poem. And what’s up with those songs they’re playing? Again, where the hell was everyone when Gazans were being starved to death, with no electricity, no food, no medicine, no nothing and Hamas refused to talk to anyone? Not only are such hypocritical exhibitions are annoying to people who actually feel with Gazans before and after the massacres, and are pro-Palestine and meaningful revolutions (compared to the emotional mobs who are now calling for anarchy and throwing off certain Arab regimes), but they’re most importantly not useful to anyone.

Real people with real feelings don’t just put their temporary feelings on display to feel better and/or receive virtual nods of agreement from radio hosts and listeners.

I’m someone who often listens to Marcel Khalifah and Ziad Rahbani and I’m always looking for new revolutionary songs by young Arab rappers who call for social and political change in their own creative way. And because of that, those sudden bursts of emotions manifested in traditional revolution/war songs actually disturb me deeply. They’re temporary, they are awful (music and lyrics wise) and they stimulate emotions rather than actions or at least attitudes. We’re better off discussing local issues and we sure have plenty of them.

If you’re angry, upset or sad about what’s going on in Gaza please don’t do anything about it just to feel better; it is selfish and hypocritical.