Unsettling Events by John Na'em Snobar - Inaugural Newsletter

Welcome to the first edition of my newsletter, which like me, and you, is not, and will never be perfect. As I have figured out that the meaning of life is service to others, you can consider this, and and the next couple of editions as my gift to you. 

Since leaving the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in October last year, I have spent my time healing and supporting the my community of Palestinian Christian and Muslims in Australia, given the genocide in Palestine. You can read my full statement here.

I do not wish to address at length all the reasons for my departure from DFAT, which cannot be adequately explained without causing embarrassment to others, largely due to an Australian inability to speak openly, meaningfully and constructively about race. Well, not without triggering the Mandarins who think a lawsuit is just around the corner. It’s okay, relax. Race is not and should not be sensitive topic. We all have one, or several, including you. Yes, you.

Learnt British traits of emotional disconnection are not the same thing as emotional fortitude, no matter how strong you think you are, big boy. Believe it or not, there is another way to live, and you can survive, and thrive, without being the biggest , baddest and scariest boss on the playground. Take a deep breath, there you go. 

Media sensationalism around race in Australia, along with some attributes of the ‘Western’ psyche, particularly for the policy-maker, has created an environment where discussions about race are not permitted. See Robin DiAngelo’s book ‘White Fragility: Why is it so hard for white people to talk about racism’, is a great resource, which all white policy-makers should read. No really, you should. 

Unfortunately, there is little room for genuine conversations about race within policy circles, particularly in Canberra, Washington, and London. This is because the structure itself feels threatened by any genuine engagement about race. This is an emotional problem, with policy consequences. Don’t worry, you will get there, hopefully not before it’s too late. 

For the benefit of readers, particularly diplomats, and decision-makers who have subscribed to this newsletter, I will make clear my hopes for this publication clear: to engage readers in an emotionally vulnerable way, so we can begin to understand some of the spiritual, and emotional dimensions the current conversations about race in the world.

What do I have to bring to the conversation? Well, for starters, I am emotional, which is a huge plus that has been stomped on by the so-called ‘stiff upper lip’ so valued by the establishment.  I am also thoroughly imperfect, not afraid to talk about my mistakes, my sexuality, my religion, and background, are you?

I have worked in every aspect of this system, from legislative to political to human rights to prisons to lawyering to ‘multicultural’ (isn’t everyone?) and to diplomacy. I can point out things that the Western psyche is struggling to understand, in a way that is emotionally safe.  Do you have the guts to hear them? I have a heart, and I know how to use it, do you?  Oh, yes, and I know about a lot about what you need to know about Jerusalem, and the Arab world, because my grandfather was Bishop Faik Ibrahim Haddad, who was the first Anglican Palestinian Bishop in Jerusalem. His appointment was once described in an Israeli newspaper as an ‘unsettling’ event – which is the title of my newsletter. The Lord works in mysterious ways, indeed. 

A Western diplomat’s guide to navigating decolonisation (part one)Within the mind of the Western diplomat lies a deeply triggering fear of the word ‘decolonisation’. This fear often prevents diplomats, policy-makers and analysts from understanding what decolonisation is, and the benefits it  presents for Australia. 

Diplomats are more than envoys. They are trained politicians who are highly skilled at using different constructs, including race, to advance their respective countries’ national interests. Naturally, when a diplomat or policy-maker hears about race, it is often understood not as an invitation for discussion, but as a political ‘card’ used to contour up support or to divide. 

Rather than engaging in these questions in a meaningful way, ‘Western’ diplomats and policy-makers will often turn their minds to ‘strategy-mode’, and seek allies, partner governments, and organisations that will help them advance what they perceive to be their own national interests. Geo-politics naturally requires this, but that all? What about emotion, and spirit? What about listening? What about real system change? 

It really is time to grow up, and do the personal and spiritual work of decolonising your mind. This work cannot be done within foreign ministry structures,  due to tribalism, lack of resources, and questions of allegiance (to both country, and boss). Genuine vulnerability, is dismissed in favour of stoicism, if you don’t believe me, go read Rudyard Kipling’s famed poem ‘If’.

Start with healing yourself from white supremest structures, including if you are white. In my time of healing since leaving DFAT, I read ‘Do Better; Spiritual Activism for fighting and healing from white supremacy’, by Rachel Ricketts – I recommend you start there. 

One of the main misunderstandings about decolonisation within the mind of the ‘Western’ policy-maker is that it will lead to the ultimate demise of the ‘West’. This is of course, a myth, just like white supremacy. You just need to be vulnerable enough to sit with it. 

Humans have lived on this earth without the ‘rules-based order’, and been able to live happy and fulfilling lives for generations. For example, I remember when I was here a few lifetimes ago as a street-sweeper, and I was very happy. I’ll tell you about that another time. 

To navigate the changing world now, it is imperative that the ‘Western’ policymaker decolonise their own mind. This necessarily implies sitting with the term ‘white supremacy’, without this contouring up the usual feelings of hurt, as though someone has accused you of being racist (see book recommendation above about White Fragility). 

White supremacy should be understood as a culture, not just as the belief in racial superiority. It is the culture of perfectionism, urgency, defensiveness, worship of the written word, paternalism, fear of open conflict, individualism and the dangerous and always false belief in one’s objectivity. Stop dismissing everyone else’s world-view, and start listening. 

Consider example A: A group of people, calling themselves a country, decide that they will have self-government. Similar to the Australian so-called democratic system, they elect representatives, who are allocated 90 whole seconds occasionally in Parliament to speak on behalf of their constituents. Deliberations are done, and a vote is called, and the decision to do or not do something is taken. 
Consider example B. There is a group of people, calling themselves nothing. They get together, and sit, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk. After many days, they come away from each other having made no decisions whatsoever; but they each have a better understanding of each other’s perspective, and their needs, and more empathy. 

What makes example A better than example B? Nothing. Except that in your mind, you never really stopped to think about it. Or maybe you did, but not in a serious and non-dismissive way. Not in a way that challenged the deeply held internal beliefs and myths your racial superiority. It’s okay, don’t worry, you will be fine – take a deep breath. 

Kind regards, John Na’em Snobar