Grandparents Print

Michelle and Palestinian Hustle have been working together for a several years through Anera. One day, during a conversation about design, Michele mentioned that she is also an illustrator. This led to the creation of an amazing piece of art.

This print is a blended photo of all four of my grandparents, and it’s a tribute to all of our grandparents. Created by @michellemarie.png is inspired by all of our grandparents. When I say all, I don’t mean just Palestinian grandparents but all immigrant grandparents around the world. Our grandparents paved the way for us to have a better life. They were either forcibly displaced due to military occupation or war, corrupt governments, or they voluntarily left an oppressed country. They moved to places all over the world to give us a better life, even though they had to leave their home, their country, and all that they knew.

They moved to cities that treated them like peasants. They bit their tongues when people were racist towards. They endured all this for us. They not only paved the way for us to have a better life but also for us to stand up for what we believe in. They gave us the roadmap to freedom. They gave us the tools to do what they couldn’t: stand up for our freedom, speak out about the injustices happening around the world, fight for the countries we came from, help free our people, and never forget our ancestral history.

This design is an ode to our grandparents for their strength and love. If they are alive, I know they are still fighting alongside us or sitting at home watching our fight on the TV, cell phones, and tablets. If they have passed (Allah Yerhamhoum), I know they are in heaven wearing their keffiyehs, sitting under the most beautiful olive trees, waving their flags, and singing “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Thank you to all of our great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents for paving the way for us to make a difference.

From Michelle:

Michelle is a Jewish, Indigenous-American adoptee with a rich cultural experience that inspires her art and activism for Palestine and indigenous rights. Her work encompasses myriad of styles as she is constantly experimenting, never limiting herself. Being raised by a Cuban refugee father and grandparents, she says that collaborating with Palestinian Hustle on this project was sentimental and meaningful. She says it’s an honor to be chosen for this project and thanks Samer and his family for trusting her with such an important piece that honors all the Siti’s, Seedos,  abuelas, abuelos and all of our beloved indigenous and immigrant elders.

Product:

Deep Matte Photographic Classic Matte Finish/ Giclee 8x10