Chris Hedges : Normalizing Genocide and the New World Order
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On March 7, 2025 Chris Hedges returned to The Sanctuary for Independent Media to present "Normalizing Genocide and the New World Order," a talk about how the...

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/26911970

Generated Summary Below:

Video Description:

On March 7, 2025 Chris Hedges returned to The Sanctuary for Independent Media to present “Normalizing Genocide and the New World Order,” a talk about how the world has changed since the genocide in Gaza began, how we navigate a world without rules or humanitarian law and how the genocidal violence perpetuated by the Global North, especially as the climate crisis deepens, will be turned with ever more frequency on the peoples of the Global South. The presentation, which was followed by a conversation with members of the audience, was given in advance of the release of his book, “A Genocide Foretold” (Penguin Random House, 2025).

Hedges is the former Middle East Bureau Chief for The New York Times, is a Pulitzer-prize winning reporter and Arabic speaker. He spent 7 years covering the conflict between Israel and Palestine. He is the author of numerous books including the New York Times bestsellers “War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning,” “American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America” and “Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt,” which he co-authored with the cartoonist Joe Sacco. He has taught at Columbia University, New York University, Princeton University, and the University of Toronto. He has also taught students in the college degree program offered by Rutgers University in the New Jersey prison system for a decade, the subject of his book “Our Class: Trauma and Transformation in an American Prison.”

Generated Summary:

This YouTube video features Chris Hedges discussing the situation in Gaza, the normalization of genocide, and the rise of fascism in Israel and the US.

Main Topic: The ongoing genocide in Gaza, its connection to the rise of global fascism, and the complicity of Western powers.

Key Points:

  • The Destruction of Gaza: Hedges details the catastrophic destruction of Gaza following Israeli attacks, highlighting the immense human suffering, displacement, and lack of basic necessities. He describes the situation as a deliberate act of genocide aimed at creating a mass exodus of Palestinians.
  • Israel’s Expansionist Goals: The video discusses Israel’s long-term goal of expanding its territory, including the annexation of the West Bank and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Gaza.
  • Western Complicity: Hedges accuses the US and its European allies of complicity in the genocide, citing their provision of weapons and obstruction of humanitarian aid. He argues that this complicity stems from a belief that the West has a right to its resources and will kill to protect them.
  • Rise of Fascism: The speaker connects the events in Gaza to a broader rise of fascism in both Israel and the US. He points to the veneration of violence, the dehumanization of enemies, and the suppression of dissent as key characteristics of this rising fascism.
  • Psychological Impact of Violence: Hedges discusses the psychological toll of violence, particularly on those who perpetrate it, describing the moral injury and trauma experienced by soldiers and the difficulty of recovering from such experiences.
  • The Role of the Media: The video criticizes the mainstream media for its complicity in normalizing the violence and suppressing alternative narratives. Hedges contrasts this with the role of true investigative journalism in holding power accountable.
  • Hope and Resistance: Despite the bleak outlook, Hedges emphasizes the importance of community organizing, physical resistance, and acts of kindness as forms of hope and resistance against the rising tide of fascism.

Highlights:

  • Detailed descriptions of the devastation in Gaza, emphasizing the scale of human suffering.
  • A strong condemnation of the US and Western complicity in the genocide.
  • A compelling analysis of the psychological effects of violence on both victims and perpetrators.
  • A call to action, urging viewers to engage in community organizing and resistance.
  • Discussion of the role of media in shaping public perception and the importance of investigative journalism.
  • The connection between the events in Gaza and the broader rise of fascism in Israel and the US.

About Channel:

Sanctuary TV comes to you from The Sanctuary for Independent Media, a telecommunications production facility dedicated to community media arts. We’re located in an historic former church in North Troy, NY. The Sanctuary hosts screening, production and performance facilities, training in media production and a meeting space for artists, activists and independent media makers of all kinds. www.mediasanctuary.org