October marks a time to honor the culture, history, and achievements of the Pilipino American community. At UCLA, students and organizations are celebrating their legacy with various events throughout campus.
Some wars are fueled by the same fire. As we witness Israeli violence against Palestinians, it is apparent how U.S. imperialism has harmed communities of the past and present.
The recent pro-Palestine protests occurring on college campuses across the country, including UCLA’s own Palestinian Solidarity Encampment (PSE), have garnered widespread criticism and have been met with extreme police responses. Student protests of the past and present continue to prove that freedom movements will persist so long as systemic issues go unaddressed by those in power. Understanding this history on both a local and national scale can emphasize the importance of questioning dominant narratives, the power of community-building and actions of solidarity.