A brief thread on RLB controversy, Israel and racism.

But I want to start with Harry's Place.

If you've been around as long as me, you'll know that in the mid-2000s, HP was the most popular leftwing blog in the UK.

Mostly because it unashamedly focused on Islamism.

Harry's Place was a highly influential blog that, from a progressive perspective, highlighted extremist Islamism in Britain.

It prompted me to start Pickled Politics (which led to Liberal Conspiracy) - also focusing on religious extremism and racism from progressive perspective.

But as time went on, I became disillusioned with Harry's Place. It became *obsessed* with Muslims and Islamism.

When I said something didn't just apply to Muslims, I was accused of 'Whataboutism'.

IMO they started seeing Islamists as uniquely dangerous... and everywhere.

It's easy to fall into a trap where several related issues point to *one* source. But the world isn't so simplistic.

In the aftermath of 7/7, there were plenty of people who blamed Muslims and Islamism for everything. Claimed they were a unique threat to western civilization etc

If someone is obsessed with another group, uniquely blaming them for bad things withoutcontext - don't be surprised if people suspect your motives.

Some said Islamism was uniquely dangerous (untrue), or Muslims had uniquely bad cultural practices (untrue). That's racism.

IMO parts of the Left do the same with Israel.

In isolation, Israel does a lot of bad things re: human rights. Is it uniquely bad? Is it worse than others? Not even close.

So if you're obsessed by actions of Jews, don't be surprised if people suspect your motives.

Which brings me to RLB. In isolation, she didn't deserve being fired.

But taken in context of:
Leftist obsession with Israel
Corbyn's own controversies around AS
RLB being from that tribe

- people will suspect her motives, and that of those who support her.

Bringing up Israel to specifically highlight them as a baddie, esp when other countries are doing the same, is an anti-semitic trope.

It makes you obsessed with actions of Jews over others.

Constantly focusing on bad actions of one group (w/o context) is definitely suspect.

And lastly, I should add that Harry's Place isn't so bad anymore.

But the era of blogs is, sadly, over

Another point: this isn't just a western thing.

In India, Pakistan is blamed for almost *every problem*. Muslims are constantly accused of dual loyalties to Pak.

This is certainly due to suspicion / hatred of Muslims, even though most Hindus won't admit it. Vice versa in Pak.