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This tweet was not spurred by anything.
I know, in the Jewish community, there is still this, notion that BLM has anti-Semitic vibes because of its critical stance towards Israel. I used to get very defensive about that vibe too, but I truly think 1/
I know, in the Jewish community, there is still this, notion that BLM has anti-Semitic vibes because of its critical stance towards Israel. I used to get very defensive about that vibe too, but I truly think 1/
for Jews who do consider themselves to be anti-racist (and you all should), that it's really important to engage with that notion, and engage with the emotions and responses it brings to the fore. Especially if those emotions and responses make you uncomfortable 2/
and sometimes, leaning into discomfort is the best way to learn.
And once you've taken that step, it's vital to be able to kind of, put that discomfort to the side, and try to understand where the antipathy towards Israel, and association with the cause of Palestinian 3/
And once you've taken that step, it's vital to be able to kind of, put that discomfort to the side, and try to understand where the antipathy towards Israel, and association with the cause of Palestinian 3/
liberation comes from. A lot of us were kind of, indoctrinated into this idea that ANY criticism of Israel is rooted in anti-Semitism, and ANYONE who is involved in pro-Palestinian activism is doing activist in that context. 4/
And that indoctrination was very strong, especially as it was so often couched in emotionally manipulative ideas about the Holocaust. But it was indoctrination, and willingness to engage with that fact is also important to the kind of, intellectual journey 5/
we're talking about here.
The reality, which may make you very uncomfortable, is that black American support for Palestinian liberation, and related antipathy towards Israel is not based in any inherent anti-Semitism. The concerns, the empathy, and the sense of kinship 6/
The reality, which may make you very uncomfortable, is that black American support for Palestinian liberation, and related antipathy towards Israel is not based in any inherent anti-Semitism. The concerns, the empathy, and the sense of kinship 6/
many black Americans feel with the experiences of Palestinians are rooted in experiences and understandings which, quite honestly, have nothing to do with American Jews, or the Holocaust, or whatever.
It's worth putting that kneejerk discomfort borne of cognitive dissonance 7/
It's worth putting that kneejerk discomfort borne of cognitive dissonance 7/
aside to really do your best to listen, and understand. Doing that intellectual work, I think, can only end with you being more informed, more empathetic towards groups of people you were maybe encouraged, in your youth, to feel hostility towards, and being a more functional 8/
ally to BLM, and more competent in your work to be anti-racist.
A lot of this thread was directed towards white American Jews, which I should have made very clear back in the first tweet, and I apologize for that white-Jews assumption. You see, I did it right there. 9/
A lot of this thread was directed towards white American Jews, which I should have made very clear back in the first tweet, and I apologize for that white-Jews assumption. You see, I did it right there. 9/
The commitment to anti-racism is a lifelong one, and it's worth braving the discomfort to better understand the movement you're identifying yourself as an ally to.
And if you're still digging in your heels, listen to what Black American Jews have to say. 10/
And if you're still digging in your heels, listen to what Black American Jews have to say. 10/
And to be clear, this is all directed at white American Jews. This isn't some kind of, apologia to Black Americans to ~be nice~ to white Jewish people experiencing cognitive dissonance. Dealing with that stuff is not on you, and white American Jews need to understand 11/
that it's really fucking inappropriate to expect black Americans to do that emotional labor for you.
There are many white American Jews on twitter and off who have already gone through that particular de-programming process, and who would probably be more than happy 12/
There are many white American Jews on twitter and off who have already gone through that particular de-programming process, and who would probably be more than happy 12/
to help you navigate it all. I definitely count myself in that number, and I'm more than happy to direct you to other white American Jews who are willing to do that emotional labor. 13/13
