[Fan Fave #9] ICYMI: If the examples accompanying the definition of antisemitism are the problem, let’s address the examples. Because if you’ve got a problem with these, you’ve really got a problem.
Antisemitism is not the best term. In fact it is not a good term at all.
First, I am a Jew, not a Semite. The latter is an ambiguous term invented and used by others to mis-describe me. Its non-specificity and ambiguity is often exploited by Jew haters.
Second, Jew haters are not merely “anti-“ my people or Israel. They are at best hateful, and at worst murderous, barbaric and genocidal.
True. And that is why the convention now is to spell it antisemitism not anti-Semitism, which, to me (and probably you) is kind of a weird compromise. However -- and I'll write about this soon -- the larger issue is that much of what we call antisemitism is not "Jew-hatred," it is inherent bigotry that leads to confirmation bias but is not overt, conscious hatred. I see it as an iceberg ... a tip of overt, potentially violent Jew-hatred and a massive underseen megalith of unconscious (or barely conscious) prejudices, assumptions, biases, tropes, assumptions, etc.
Inherent bigotry and confirmation bias that are the tip of a malignant iceberg are simply precursor chemicals of a deadly phenomenon. They are trafficked and used with malignant intention and deadly effect.
All hatred.
(Are we perhaps trying to leave space for “good progressives“ who just hate Jews to redeem themselves? My view is that their implacable hatred of Jews negates their progressivism.)
Antisemitism is not the best term. In fact it is not a good term at all.
First, I am a Jew, not a Semite. The latter is an ambiguous term invented and used by others to mis-describe me. Its non-specificity and ambiguity is often exploited by Jew haters.
Second, Jew haters are not merely “anti-“ my people or Israel. They are at best hateful, and at worst murderous, barbaric and genocidal.
Jew-haters hate Jews. That’s it that’s all.
True. And that is why the convention now is to spell it antisemitism not anti-Semitism, which, to me (and probably you) is kind of a weird compromise. However -- and I'll write about this soon -- the larger issue is that much of what we call antisemitism is not "Jew-hatred," it is inherent bigotry that leads to confirmation bias but is not overt, conscious hatred. I see it as an iceberg ... a tip of overt, potentially violent Jew-hatred and a massive underseen megalith of unconscious (or barely conscious) prejudices, assumptions, biases, tropes, assumptions, etc.
Superb column, Pat.
The hyphenation tinkering doesn’t help.
Inherent bigotry and confirmation bias that are the tip of a malignant iceberg are simply precursor chemicals of a deadly phenomenon. They are trafficked and used with malignant intention and deadly effect.
All hatred.
(Are we perhaps trying to leave space for “good progressives“ who just hate Jews to redeem themselves? My view is that their implacable hatred of Jews negates their progressivism.)
Bigots will be bigots.