The Right gaslights Jews. Again.

I find articles helpful that describe both sides of the controversy in light of each other. In his article in The Forward, Peter Beinart describes 1) how Omar’s comments were anti-semitic AS WELL AS 2) the outrageous hypocrisy of those calling her out. While “leaders should understand that their words carry historical baggage” it is also true “her critics [should be held] to the same standard.”

Politicians use charges of anti-semitism as a tool for reinforcing intolerance.

Time to face facts: Many politicians use charges of anti-semitism as a tool for reinforcing intolerance. Take a second to let that sink in.

Beinart offers up a buffet of instances in which Republicans engaged in much more obviously virulent anti-semitic rhetoric sans censure. Read it and weep.

I know that I do. I weep for those who can’t or won’t detect anything remotely problematic about Omar’s tweets. I weep equally for those officials who use the traumas suffered by Jews to further their wack agenda. When the leader of your party states “globalists” Bloomberg and Soros perpetuate an insidious socialist cabal and re-tweets anti-semitic images created by white supremacists, it seems a tad disingenuous to rage about Omar’s comparatively minor missteps.

Republicans constantly pivot discussions that attempt to address the hideous tweets in the form of a warning that such language is a mere distraction. Watch Scott Walker interviewed on Firing Line. His rhetoric is Huckabee-Sanders/ Conway level infuriating. In the midst of that mealy-mouthed, sidestepping, integrity-free rationalization such players have the chutzpah to call out Omar.

I pray for the possibility of our elected representatives moving beyond petty partisan manipulations, beyond zero sum strategies, to enact sensible measures supported by 75% of the population. For now, performative anti-semitism generates yet another instance of the seemingly endless politics of divide, conquer and paralyze as the country strangles opportunity and strengthens its ever-widening wealth gap.

Swastikas + Stars of David

I find myself fascinated (and frightened) by how the issue of anti-semitism is being spoken of by representatives and processed by the public and on Fb.

I’m not one to read Trump tweets; rather I see references to them in articles, such as “It is shameful that House Democrats won’t take a stronger stand against Anti-Semitism . . . Anti-Semitism has fueled atrocities throughout history and it’s inconceivable they will not act to condemn it!”

Washington life seems like an endless loop of the worst Thanksgiving dinner ever — a procession of fools continuously triggering each other with half-baked, loaded, simplistic claims.

To state the screamingly obvious: this from the man who refused to take a clear stand against those shouting “Jews will not replace us.” One thanks the prez for yet another moron-in-chief moment. Any opportunity to divide and conquer is exploited with seeming relish. And what’s with capitalizing Anti-Semitism? Use grammar check, you covfefe-ing idiot.

Washington life seems like an endless loop of the worst Thanksgiving dinner ever — a procession of fools continuously triggering each other with half-baked, loaded, simplistic claims.

I am not aware of all of the details of how this issue is playing out. So far it looks like Republicans using anti-semitism to terrorize and fragment the Democrats. And Democrats are tripping over themselves trying to honor diverse perspectives while crafting a unifying message. And the nightmare that plagues me is that this dynamic underlies how and why Trump is re-elected in 2020.

Many who support Congresswoman Omar appear to be focused on how she is being victimized while completely indifferent to the possibility that she may have misstepped in any way. While those who challenge Omar express their outrage in terms that seem disingenuous in the extreme given their own history of tolerating truly revolting rhetoric from their peers. Reps stand against hatred while oozing self-interest and grabbing for power.

The anti-semitism kerfuffle systematically invalidates and insults people on all sides. It points to paralysis that resides deep in the bones of so many crucial conversations that require nuance, respect and careful exploration.

NancyA ponders the Women’s March kerfuffle

 

 

 

 

Troubles with anti-semitism among the leaders of the Women’s March? What’s the deal, the skinny, the EVIDENCE?

This Vox article details the allegations and the implications of the brouhaha. It describes the strategic inclusion of women of color at the outset of the march, other groups that struggled with inclusion (such as anti-abortion ladies and sex workers) and the umbrella of “intersectionality” under which the organizers strived to find, and weaponize, common ground to confront Trump with his misogyny.

Farrakahn described how Jews had done a lot of wacky stuff, including my favorite “engineered marijuana to make black men gay.”

Linda Sarsour (Palestinian-American) joined around the same time as Tamika Mallory. Both support Louis Farrakhan. At the Nation of Islam Saviour’s Day event in February 2018 Farrakahn described how Jews had done a lot of wacky stuff, including my favorite “engineered marijuana to make black men gay.” Mallory was in attendance and got a shout-out from Farrakhan.

Anti-semitic comments have been attributed to Sarsour and Mallory. As to actual evidence, as with charges of sexual harassment, there is no audio record. It’s a she-said/she-said situation.

Vanessa Wruble, one of the leaders who emphasized the importance of allying with women of color for the march, decided to leave after meetings in November 2016 and January 2017. She states “I personally witnessed statements that were inaccurate about the role that Jews have played in the slave trade and in the prison industrial complex.” The communications director present at those two meetings says that Wruble is lying. Evie Harmon claims that she witnessed the Wruble being attacked for being Jewish and that “her biggest regret” is failing to support her.

Wruble left to head another group called March On which is focussed on winning elections in Red states. Here’s the Facebook page for their Massachusetts group.