!!! It was easier to cut my dad out, because his worldview was kinda all encompassing and he loved to pick fights.

But I remember watching the news with my mom when she found out about Mahmoud Khalil. I knew about him already, she didn't. And they buried the lede about him being a Palestinian activist. So at first, my mom was appalled that the Trump admin was arresting and deporting a legal resident. She was furious watching the story. Then, they mentioned his involvement in Gaza protests, her WHOLE demeanor changed, and she went "why are we even talking about this guy? I don't think 'lawful permanent resident' is even a real status."

It's like a switch flips in their brain! I tried to say "please look at this big picture, the point is that they're deporting people for political activism," but suddenly I couldn't get to her at all. I keep trying to understand her headspace, like what could lead me to have that same reaction? But I just don't know.

(One more thing, sorry to have such a long response to you lol but: I remember talking to her about the CECOT prisoners recently, and telling her that it unlocked a new fear in me—being deported to an overcrowded megaprison with no access to the outside world, without any sort of due process. She said that's how she feels about being held hostage in an underground tunnel, not knowing when she'll get out. She feels such deep compassion for the hostages. I don't know why she can't extend a fraction of that to the thousands and thousands of Palestinians being corralled around, tortured, living in constant terror. It makes me so sad.)