in about five minutes, tim wise is going to start speaking. as you can tell from my comfortable, trix-are-for-kids t-shirt wearing position here at the computer, i’m not going. it’s a shame: he’s an anti-racist activist and i, like everyone, need some good anti-racist instruction. but he’s not talking about anti-racism, he’s talking about anti-zionism. there are two positions on this campus on the israel question, just like there were 100 years ago when people started raising it. there’s zionist — right wing, and then there’s anti-zionist — the left. except “zionist” means “im tirzu,” in english, “if you desire it,” and the group is vocally in favor of a two-state soltuion. “anti-zionist” means “jato,” technically “jews against the occupation,” who’re also in favor of a two-state solution.
you wouldn’t think there could be such an abyss between two groups who would be happy with the same outcome. yet there it is, an abyss large enough to comfortably fit every individual, pundit and college student, who’s ever been moved to voice an opinion on the subject.
i keep my distance. in betweens like i are meta-marginalized. with no place on either side, we’re shifted upwards to merely observe and be ignored. and, in my case, to bitch about it online.
my excellent excuse for not going to hear mr. wise was my film class showing of star wars. having decided, however, that i’m not in the right mindset for the Force, i returned to my room to write about my underwear. it’s new, y’see, and black. it’s boxer briefs. i’ve never felt so securely packaged. wearing them i’m constantly reminded of the first time i came in contact with black boxer briefs. when i was fifteen i went to miami to visit my camp friend, and idol, emile. she was tall and thin and blonde, and the cute little CK underwear looked like it was made for her. on me it looks like what’s beneath has been edited out, like the underwear should read “CENSORED” in chalky white letters. ever since i met emile i wanted to be more like her; maybe this is just another step along the way.