The Shot Heard Around The World

The Shot Heard Around The World

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit the Boston Tea Party site in the heart of Boston.

The historical storyboards there reminded me of the struggle for freedom.

As an Indian from the Malabar region of Kerala, the stories of the fight for freedom and independence are deeply ingrained in me, just as they are for millions of fellow Indians. Events like the Wagon Tragedy and the Malabar Rebellion are unforgettable episodes in our tremendous struggle for freedom.

​

The United States of America has its own parallel in the American Revolution, which is taught in middle schools to ensure that the emerging generation is aware of the struggles and battles that led to American independence. This brings us to the significance of the event famously known as "The Shot Heard Around The World," which is also depicted in the Boston Tea Party site's historical records.

Today, as I reflect on these events, I am reminded of the ongoing struggle of the Indigenous Palestinian people for freedom. Much like the renowned "Shot Heard Around The World," the shots and blasts heard from the land of Palestine, especially Gaza, resonate similarly.

The question, "Do you support Hxmxs?" widely circulated by Piers Morgan, is, to me, the ugliest and most obscene political question I have ever encountered. Resistance to occupation and intimidation is an inherent trait of any being, especially a human being. When a human or an animal is backed against a wall and its neck is being squeezed, it will respond, sometimes fiercely. It is shameful and abhorrent to denounce and criminalize the fierce response, some of which one may not agree with, while completely disregarding the fact that the person has been held against the wall and squeezed for decades.

Boston was under the siege of the British. Brave Bostonians formed what is referred to as The Minutemen mentioned in the storyboard. The Minutemen were a specialized group of colonial militia members during the American Revolutionary War who were known for their rapid readiness to fight. Captain John Parker who was born in Massachusetts and who is known for his leadership during the Battles of Lexington and Concord said to the Minutemen - "Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here."

What is seen in the streets of Gaza in Palestine echoes Captain John Parker's command. Palestinians, fueled by their determination, began to stand their ground and resist.

The shots heard in Palestine today echo those fired during the American Revolutionary War

The Palestinians fighting against occupation are patriots, just as those who fought in the American Revolution became Revolutionary War patriots.

The massacre of Palestinians today mirrors the tragic events of the Boston Massacre, where Bostonians were unjustly killed, reflecting a similar brutality faced by those who stand against oppression and subjugation.

Abu Abdul Mannaan