Eva Paterson's below statement on the rise of anti-Semitism is moving indeed. It is heartening and important to see that Eva condemns anti-Semitism on its own terms. Too many other progressives — including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Cori Bush — seem unwilling to address anti-Semitism without feeling the need to surround it with other forms of racism and discrimination that currently have more cache on the Left. That is a form of de-centering that goes in only one direction. You don't see anyone adding Jew hatred to a post on anti-Black racism or a statement on Islamophobia, nor should they. Generic condemnations of "bigotry and hate," as in Warren's tweet, have the effect, whether intentional or otherwise, of diluting the message.
In contrast, Eva Paterson takes the issue head-on. Good for her.
Antisemitism on the Rise |
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Some of you know that I come from a military family. We lived outside of the U.S. during most of the 1950s. I was born in San Antonio, Texas, when Plessy v Ferguson was still good law. Before my family returned to the States in 1960, we toured France where we had been living. My Dad was stationed there, and I was finishing the fifth grade. I remember leaving my best friend Dawn and my jump rope in my locker, but I digress. We drove through the French town Oradour-sur-Glane. The local folks told us that during World War II, a Jewish resident spat on a Nazi who was part of the occupation. The Nazis came back and lined up all the residents in front of a ditch and shot them dead. This story was seared in my brain. I think that is when I became an activist, at least in my head, because I had just finished the sixth grade. Upon reflection decades later, I think that moment was when I really understood that there is evil in our world. Recently I have been receiving many alerts about the rise of anti-Semitism such as this. I have spoken up in support of my AAPI friends and colleagues. I want to speak up in support of my Jewish friends and allies. The first social event I went to once I was vaccinated was a Seder. As you might imagine, there were lots of wise cracks when we came to the part of the Haggadah recalling the plagues. We are all in this together. We must have each other’s backs and fronts as my former colleague Kimberly Thomas Rapp used to say. These are very strange and unsettling times. The optimist in me feels that there are more good people than evil ones, but that eternal vigilance is warranted. In a few hours from now, the ADL and other organizations are sponsoring a virtual rally and Day of Action Against Antisemitism. It starts at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time and you can register at actagainstantisemitism.org. EJS will be participating. Okay, that’s it. I just needed to step up and speak up. Onward. ~ Eva |
[Disclosure: Eva is my old friend and double-schoolmate (undergrad and law school).]