(Jewish Group) 'Good Jew' or 'Bad Jew'? How U.S. progressive activists police Jewish participation

[Behind the Aegis]

THIS IS THE JEWISH GROUP!!

---snip---

For instance, I’ve learned that it’s insulting to generalize feelings, thoughts, and behaviors to a whole group. I’ve learned that, to challenge oppression, it’s essential to center the voices of marginalized peoples. I’ve learned that challenging systems of oppression requires us to measure "impact versus intent", that words informed by racism and sexism can create psychic pain even when the speaker doesn’t intend them that way. I’ve learned that those in privileged positions need to honor the lived experiences of marginalized people, rather than challenging or invalidating those experiences. I’ve learned that being part of the solution means receiving difficult feedback as a gift.

But a funny thing happened on the way to our collective liberation. We seem to have left out the Jews.

---snip---

For instance, anti-oppression principles teach us not to generalize the behaviors of one person to a whole group. But I have stepped off of more than one stage - speaking against the harassment of immigrants or the extrajudicial killings of people of color - only to be confronted by a stranger demanding to know "my thoughts on Palestine." As if every Jews bears the guilt of any and all Israeli injustices against Palestine.

---snip---

Unjust actions of the State of Israel, like any state, require scrutiny and, when appropriate, condemnation. I have joined voices, both Jewish and non-Jewish, that have criticized Israeli treatment of Palestinians and Israeli Arabs. But for many of my fellow justice advocates, the message to Jews boils down to a binary: either anti-Zionism or the door.

---snip---

If white people don’t get to tell people of color the right way to fight for liberation, if cis and straight people don’t get to tell queer folks which expressions of gender and sexuality are "appropriate," then it follows that non-Jews don’t get to tell Jews what symbols and messages are in bounds and which are out of bounds.

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Great article!!

[EllieBC]

1. Say it louder for the people in the back!

If white people don’t get to tell people of color the right way to fight for liberation, if cis and straight people don’t get to tell queer folks which expressions of gender and sexuality are "appropriate," then it follows that non-Jews don’t get to tell Jews what symbols and messages are in bounds and which are out of bounds.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. LOL! Ummm..

We are the people in the back!

I see you liked that paragraph too. I snipped so I could include it in the main post because it was too excellent to pass by and I know most people won't read the entire article (if you haven't, do, it is actually very good).

[EllieBC]

3. I read it all. I'm worried that others won't read it. I made the mistake

of reading the comments on it on Facebook. It was the usual hate with a smattering of support.

[beam me up scottie]

4. Excellent article!

I see this far too often on social media, the minute Israel is brought up I know it's time to stop reading the comments. It is shocking how pervasive anti-Semitism still is, and it's horrifying to see so much of it coming from the left. Unfortunately it doesn't get called out like other bigotry, I think partially because people don't recognize the dog whistles but also because they just don't seem to care.

But a funny thing happened on the way to our collective liberation. We seem to have left out the Jews.

So true.