One of my siblings sent me a long text message (when I was posting about antisemitism rising in the wake of 10/7/2023)…in it, she said that while antisemitism is important to fight, I need to focus more on the plight of the Palestinians because “they are more vulnerable.” Interesting. This post reminded me of that. Thank you for your words.
This is exactly what I’m experiencing from people who I thought were close friends. I’ve been raising fears of antisemitism and am met with “racism has been around for decades and we need to always fight.” Uh, duh. My oldest friend - 32 years old of friendship - reframed my concerns as if I was saying Jew hate was worse than all other forms of racism. When all I said was I was scared of the rising tide of antisemitism…
Hamas is losing support of Palestinians as they drag the war out in order to cling to power. As one Gazan put it " they have thrown us to the bottom of the well" Palestinians are dying because Hamas started a war they refuse to finish. (from my Facebook friend GC reacting to a NYT story)
Great article. It all rings true to me because, in my experience, a similar dynamic plays out in a different context. In discussions around the equality of the sexes, any claims on behalf of men’s rights or male disadvantage (eg. rates of workplace deaths, homelessness, suicide, educational achievement etc) are often dismissed with ‘it’s not a competition’. Men have power and privilege so speaking on their behalf or recognizing that men have unique concerns is not valid. They brought it on themselves. Indeed, it is not a competition, but being accused of turning it into one is a common tactic.
Michaud was a product of his time. Born in 1930 and university educated in France, going through the quiet revolution, Like many a journalist who then moved over into politicics. From Liberal, to Independent, then to Parti Quebecois, then mostly fading into obscurity.
If I may be so bold to assess his statement, I would say what Michaud was trying to say was :
You Jews are always complaining, why Don't you just shut up and stay in your place, dont make noise. Look you have it Good here, stop complaining. Or put another way, I DONT LIKE TO BE REMINDED ABOUT THAT!
In 2024 Michaud died of Alzheimer's or complications there of, sadly he misses out on both Jews and Armenians having reasons to bitch , and both at the same time. Who would a thunk?
Put simply, any guilt a citizen of the world has for antisemitism can be negated if we recast the victim (Jews) as the perp. Et voilà, social justice activists who champion every people and cause can throw the Jews (and the Israelis) to the wolves. (That’s what the whole “Zionists are Nazis” and “Palestinian holocaust” things are all about.)
Aka, Holocaust annulment.
Inverting the truth they accuse the Jews about doing the things that have been done to them. Genocide. Holocaust. Ghetto Etc
Antisemties through history have projected their fantasy’s on to the Jews, their own intentions and actions, like thinking Jews of wanting world domination, an inversion of their fantasies. Holocaust annulment blaming the Jews for crimes that were committed against them.
You hit the nail on the head ... and kept pounding! I had not made the connection with the "ghetto" theme and the world domination theme is also an obvious projection. Thanks so much for reading and for commenting!
BAM! You nailed it. However, when you say they may not feel the guilt ... maybe not. But they know it's there and it is digging at them, which is precisely why it comes out in these psychopathic ways.
Very interesting. Of course in psycho-social phenoms, the causes and symptoms may be complex and not easily discernible. I'm sure they are also diverse. You are no doubt correct! All these things may be factors. I am no psychologist, for sure.
Well said.
There’s a Canadian Muslim author on Substack who in her byline says she is part of the “diaspora.” Appropriation is up for grabs too.
One of my siblings sent me a long text message (when I was posting about antisemitism rising in the wake of 10/7/2023)…in it, she said that while antisemitism is important to fight, I need to focus more on the plight of the Palestinians because “they are more vulnerable.” Interesting. This post reminded me of that. Thank you for your words.
Yes. Because your sibling can't possibly prioritize two things at once ...
Thoughts and.......
This is exactly what I’m experiencing from people who I thought were close friends. I’ve been raising fears of antisemitism and am met with “racism has been around for decades and we need to always fight.” Uh, duh. My oldest friend - 32 years old of friendship - reframed my concerns as if I was saying Jew hate was worse than all other forms of racism. When all I said was I was scared of the rising tide of antisemitism…
I'm sorry you are experiencing this. It is no consolation to know that you are not alone in this!
Thank you - it is helpful to read pieces like yours and know that I’m not alone.
Hamas is losing support of Palestinians as they drag the war out in order to cling to power. As one Gazan put it " they have thrown us to the bottom of the well" Palestinians are dying because Hamas started a war they refuse to finish. (from my Facebook friend GC reacting to a NYT story)
Very well put together article
Great article. It all rings true to me because, in my experience, a similar dynamic plays out in a different context. In discussions around the equality of the sexes, any claims on behalf of men’s rights or male disadvantage (eg. rates of workplace deaths, homelessness, suicide, educational achievement etc) are often dismissed with ‘it’s not a competition’. Men have power and privilege so speaking on their behalf or recognizing that men have unique concerns is not valid. They brought it on themselves. Indeed, it is not a competition, but being accused of turning it into one is a common tactic.
Interesting. Thanks for reading and sharing your reflections!
Good gd you’re a good writer
Haha. Thanks Eric! I have one talent.
Pat!
2000 or 2024
Funny or Sad
Not much has changed, here in Quebec.
Michaud was a product of his time. Born in 1930 and university educated in France, going through the quiet revolution, Like many a journalist who then moved over into politicics. From Liberal, to Independent, then to Parti Quebecois, then mostly fading into obscurity.
If I may be so bold to assess his statement, I would say what Michaud was trying to say was :
You Jews are always complaining, why Don't you just shut up and stay in your place, dont make noise. Look you have it Good here, stop complaining. Or put another way, I DONT LIKE TO BE REMINDED ABOUT THAT!
In 2024 Michaud died of Alzheimer's or complications there of, sadly he misses out on both Jews and Armenians having reasons to bitch , and both at the same time. Who would a thunk?
Hey Mark ... Yes, I think you are correct about his intentions. And Quebec has always been distinct, hasn't it?
Yes
100%
Different language , different legal system... Different entertainment .......
Put simply, any guilt a citizen of the world has for antisemitism can be negated if we recast the victim (Jews) as the perp. Et voilà, social justice activists who champion every people and cause can throw the Jews (and the Israelis) to the wolves. (That’s what the whole “Zionists are Nazis” and “Palestinian holocaust” things are all about.)
Aka, Holocaust annulment.
Inverting the truth they accuse the Jews about doing the things that have been done to them. Genocide. Holocaust. Ghetto Etc
Antisemties through history have projected their fantasy’s on to the Jews, their own intentions and actions, like thinking Jews of wanting world domination, an inversion of their fantasies. Holocaust annulment blaming the Jews for crimes that were committed against them.
You hit the nail on the head ... and kept pounding! I had not made the connection with the "ghetto" theme and the world domination theme is also an obvious projection. Thanks so much for reading and for commenting!
BAM! You nailed it. However, when you say they may not feel the guilt ... maybe not. But they know it's there and it is digging at them, which is precisely why it comes out in these psychopathic ways.
Very interesting. Of course in psycho-social phenoms, the causes and symptoms may be complex and not easily discernible. I'm sure they are also diverse. You are no doubt correct! All these things may be factors. I am no psychologist, for sure.