Today Kelechi Okafor was due to appear on @BBCWomansHour with the formidable @Emmabarnett.
Now for ANYONE commenting on what happened you firstly need to listen to this.
Content warning. 1/15
Listen to Kelechi Okafor by The Jewish Chronicle on #SoundCloud https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/ZzmmQ 
This was challenged at the time, a good faith offer to engage was met with this.
Kelechi's reaction is grim.
This is not the reaction of someone who cares about racism.
Story outlined below. 2/15 https://www.thejc.com/comment/opinion/this-is-what-happens-when-you-challenge-antisemitism-1.450843 https://twitter.com/antisemitism/status/944218158751154176?s=19
Her response after being pulled up on a deeply antisemitic rant and genuine offer to engage was met with absolute derision.
She, in short, took to twitter to GOAD.
So it was hardly surprising Emma Barnett would have found it pretty disturbing, after she saw this. 3/15
Listening to someone RANT racism with utter certainty is always shocking.
Waves of anger, and shaking is my reaction.
Its different for everyone, but this would have had an impact on Emma Barnett. 4/15
So its a mark of her professional ability she held it together enough to deal with what she faced.
Her statement is superb. Shame on anyone who calls themselves an anti-racist not supporting her. 5/15 https://twitter.com/Emmabarnett/status/1346819404517044226?s=19
In particular @ChiOnwurah and @FloEshalomi.
You didn't hesitate to offer support to an unrepentant antisemite.
Did you BOTHER to look at what she had said, and refused to apologise for?
Do you have ANY EMPATHY towards a Jewish presenter was dealing with? 6/15
Does the hurt caused by antisemitism mean less? Would you have reacted like this to any other minority suddenly facing a bigot?
Frankly you make a mockery of any progress being made over antisemitism in the party.
You both should delete. ASAP. 7/15
Does the hurt caused by antisemitism mean less? Would you have reacted like this to any other minority suddenly facing a bigot? Frankly you make a mockery of any progress being made over antisemitism in the party. You both should delete. ASAP. 7/15
Does the hurt caused by antisemitism mean less? Would you have reacted like this to any other minority suddenly facing a bigot? Frankly you make a mockery of any progress being made over antisemitism in the party. You both should delete. ASAP. 7/15
Today, yet again has been a horror show on twitter. A wall of so called anti-racists bombarding Jews with abuse for finding what was absolutely CLEAR antisemitism upsetting.
@TracyAnnO in particular got huge abuse. Big love to you darling.
8/15
To cap it all off Kelechi has STILL not acknowledged why @Emmabarnett was going to challenge her antisemitism. She's still there maintaining that she's been abused.
Incredible, however for those of us who've fought antisemitism know only too well, predictable. 9/15
From Corbyn to Kelechi, calling people to take responsibility for their racism results in the twisted response that in challenging them, Jews are the bad guys, and they are the victim.
Its time, beyond time, for this to change.
#EnoughIsEnough
It was Enough years ago. 10/15
The most distressing thing about today is that in refusing to acknowledge her antisemitism & painting this as an act of racism against HER, she drives a wedge between the Jewish community and the black community.
A wedge that nobody needs.
History shows a better way. 11/15
History can show that when the two communities work together they can move mountains.
Just looking at the events in the USA over Trump today should be what Kelechi Okafor looks towards, not the lies and division spouted by Farrakhan and Whyle.
Education is still possible. 12/15
Only with truth and the power of working together can racism truly be defeated.
Look into you heart @kelechnekoff, wouldn't you rather be part of this?
A pairing that will eventually remove Trump. 13/15 https://momentmag.com/ossoff-warnock-and-georgias-black-jewish-coalitions/
Ossoff, Warnock and Georgia's Black-Jewish Coalitions

When Jon Ossoff and the Raphael Warnock campaign together in Georgia's Senate runoffs, they stand on the state's well-established foundation of Black-Jewish cooperation. 

https://momentmag.com/ossoff-warnock-and-georgias-black-jewish-coalitions/
Than being part of what people need to combat on this?
A narrative that stops the historical allegiances that won so much, and still have so much to do.
"A Dangerous Beat: Louis Farrakhan, Hip Hop and Hate » ISGAP"
14/15 https://isgap.org/media/2020/08/the-history-of-louis-farrakhan-and-antisemitism/
I know which side of history I'd rather be on. Do you?
Ht @Rosa_Doherty @acailler @JewishChron and all that have fought back against this awful situation.
Ends.
You can follow @emmacpicken.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled:
Those who think consciousness raising & movement building are disconnected, or even a distraction from electoral politics have not paid attention to the history of social change.In this thread, we
Read more
The 2020s will be known as the Remote Work decadeA few predictions of what is likely to emerge[ a thread ] Third Space: Office and Working from Home will
Read more
1/29: Have you ever had a concept explained to you that helps frame complex issues you’ve been wrestling with and opens your eyes to new possibilities? A concept that I
Read more
By continuing to use the site, you are consenting to the use of cookies as explained in our Cookie Policy to improve your experience.