Antisemitism and the NYT crossword

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In response to this latest crossword controversy, a spokesperson for the New York Times told the JC: "This is a common crossword design: Many open grids in crosswords have a similar spiral pattern because of the rules around rotational symmetry and black squares."

https://www.thejc.com/news/world/new-york-times-defends-controversial-swastika-crossword-design-65XtxKlPVruODsVP6xb3uV

NYT defends this, so no apology.

This is unacceptable. The question is not intent, but impact. Even if the Times team may have thought they were merely implementing standard practices in crossword design, publishing a puzzle where a swastika is so clearly apparent does harm to marginalized groups, especially given the scale of the NYT platform. The Times must put in a monitoring program to vet crossword puzzles for cultural sensitivity and potential harms, and obviously must apologize for the harm done here. Do better, NYT.

You know that they will have to do the same thing with Wordle and then you can't waste hours on your phone trying to remember your PSAT vocabulary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In response to this latest crossword controversy, a spokesperson for the New York Times told the JC: "This is a common crossword design: Many open grids in crosswords have a similar spiral pattern because of the rules around rotational symmetry and black squares."

https://www.thejc.com/news/world/new-york-times-defends-controversial-swastika-crossword-design-65XtxKlPVruODsVP6xb3uV

NYT defends this, so no apology.

This is unacceptable. The question is not intent, but impact. Even if the Times team may have thought they were merely implementing standard practices in crossword design, publishing a puzzle where a swastika is so clearly apparent does harm to marginalized groups, especially given the scale of the NYT platform. The Times must put in a monitoring program to vet crossword puzzles for cultural sensitivity and potential harms, and obviously must apologize for the harm done here. Do better, NYT.

Exactly what impact did it have? How did it “harm marginalized groups?” This Jew has somehow escaped unscathed from Crosswordgate!

You will not be able to order a blooming onion from Outback Steakhouse because it appeared in this now cancelled crossword puzzle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s very weird to me that they doubled down on this. What percentage of their readership is Jewish? It’s gotta be high. Why not just apologize for the horrible oversight?

Because the NYT is has a very smart editorial board and they believe that readership (yes, probably a high percentage Jewish) is also very smart. Why pander to those who can't even complete a NYT cross word puzzle?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the constructor’s note: “ Thrilled to have my first Sunday puzzle in The Times! This grid features one of my favorite open middles that I’ve made as it pulls from a variety of subject areas. I had originally tried to make it work in a 15x15 grid but then decided to expand the grid out to a Sunday-size puzzle with a fun whirlpool shape. Hope you enjoy!”

I believe him. He saw a whirlpool. Not everyone sees swastikas everywhere.

... which is why diversity matters. because "not everyone" sees it - but every single jewish person does.

As a Jew working in the national media, I can assure you that the national media is not lacking for Jewish viewpoints.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s very weird to me that they doubled down on this. What percentage of their readership is Jewish? It’s gotta be high. Why not just apologize for the horrible oversight?

Are you Jewish?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh good lord. Antisemitism is a real problem but you don’t help address it with crap like this. I mean, if I fill out the crossword puzzle just do, I can make it look like any number of symbols. That’s on ME not the people who designed the puzzle, weirdo.

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So it’s scary that people defending antisemitism post here. You should be ashamed of yourself.

What is there to report?

Whoever Keith Edwards is, he doesn't even know how to spell "Hanukkah." Give me a break.

[Anonymous]

I speak English and Hebrew fluently, and there isn't a standard way to spell it...

That said, the article linked here is relevant
https://ishayirashashem.substack.com/p/im-jewish-so-maybe-you-hate-me

[Anonymous]

Just went back through a couple weeks of crosswords in the NYT app. I could probably “see” swastikas in half of them, if I really wanted to. It’s just how the crossword patterns are.

[Anonymous]

What does this have to do with religion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the constructor’s note: “ Thrilled to have my first Sunday puzzle in The Times! This grid features one of my favorite open middles that I’ve made as it pulls from a variety of subject areas. I had originally tried to make it work in a 15x15 grid but then decided to expand the grid out to a Sunday-size puzzle with a fun whirlpool shape. Hope you enjoy!”

I believe him. He saw a whirlpool. Not everyone sees swastikas everywhere.

... which is why diversity matters. because "not everyone" sees it - but every single jewish person does.

I mean, does a team of diverse people have to review every crossword puzzle layout? That seems crazy to me.

Jesus, are we this into DEI and you still think that's what this means?

No, you don't need a diversity team "reviewing" every crossword. What diversity means is that there is someone on the whole team that works on this puzzle before it goes into print, who says: hey, guys, has anyone noticed that this looks like a swastika?

It means that YOUR instincts - which tells you that who cares, NBD - aren't the ONLY ones represented on a team. There are other people who see things and are aware of sensitivities that you, for whatever reason, are not. It saves the NY Times having to say that they didn't intentionally print a swastika, because someone who is more thoughtful about swastikas, has already been able to flag this thing.

Are you even Jewish? Or are you one of those SJW types who is constantly looking for offense, ready to rush in and cancel someone over the slightest perceived infraction? I’m Jewish, and I think this whole thing is a tempest in a teapot. I don’t need people fussing over non-events like this in order to support me.

I am Jewish, and no I am not always looking to be offended. In fact I am not even offended by this - just pretty shocked that no one at the Times who was involved with the publication process saw this and realized what it looked like. I don't think it was intentional. I think it was incredibly stupid and should have been noticed before it went to print. They did not need to print a puzzle that looks like a gd swastika.

Are you trying to gatekeep who is allowed to have an opinion about this?

No, just pointing out the stupid opinions.

[Anonymous]

NYT crosswords require a symmetrical pattern. If there is a five-letter horizontal word in the upper right corner, there has to be a five-letter horizontal word in the lower left corner. This kind of whirlpool pattern is pretty common, and as others have said, it was an extra-large Sunday puzzle, so any “shapes” would be more defined. I see a flower when I look at those, and I was more peeved about the inclusion of non-words like “Halloweekend” than whatever shapes pop up if I were to take a marker and color in so,e of the boxes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NYT crosswords require a symmetrical pattern. If there is a five-letter horizontal word in the upper right corner, there has to be a five-letter horizontal word in the lower left corner. This kind of whirlpool pattern is pretty common, and as others have said, it was an extra-large Sunday puzzle, so any “shapes” would be more defined. I see a flower when I look at those, and I was more peeved about the inclusion of non-words like “Halloweekend” than whatever shapes pop up if I were to take a marker and color in so,e of the boxes.

Ahem, “portmanteau”.

[Anonymous]

I am an avid NYT crossword doer FWIW and I think this is just like, a monkey given infinite access to a keyboard eventually writes Romeo and Juliet by sheet statistical odds.

The NYT puts out a TREMENDOUS volume of puzzles and multiply that by a factor of...a lot to get the number of clues they deal with. I think MANY puzzles could be accused of looking like a swastika in the right light so to speak but this is just kind of the nature of the construction. It needs to be a symmetrical patterned grid in a square. That is going to produce designs that can be close to swastikas. And with the sheer volume they put out, it is not surprising. As for boxcars being a clue like. This is the kind of thing that makes me question OTHER stories. There are usually like 100+ clues in an NYT sunday crossword and I'm confident that most puzzles have something you could stretch to be anti something. Have some callback or connotation.

I can't see any regular NYT puzzledoer thinking this is more than an unfortunate oversight TBH. And I am a person that FULLY agrees that antisemitism generally is hugely on the rise and that that is shocking and horrible and a crisis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s an unfortunate accident and they should address it and apologize for the accidental offense. (There’s is actually a whole thing about accidentally creating a swastika pattern in quilts and I can imagine the crossword layout presents similar issues. Nevertheless, they shouldn’t ignore it!)

They are ignoring it, and other media outlets are ignoring it. Why is that?

Because we are all tired of the BS and gaslighting! No news outlet is more sympathetic to the Jewish community than the NyT. And NO ONE fills out a crossword that way, no one! This is just stupid and hysterical.
And you know what?? Try giving a cramp about the Palestinians living under apartheid and being subjected to atrocities by the Jewish community before you keep panhandling for sympathy. Show up for the Palestinians!
If you are for YOURSELVES ALONE WHO ARE YOU right???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NYT crosswords require a symmetrical pattern. If there is a five-letter horizontal word in the upper right corner, there has to be a five-letter horizontal word in the lower left corner. This kind of whirlpool pattern is pretty common, and as others have said, it was an extra-large Sunday puzzle, so any “shapes” would be more defined. I see a flower when I look at those, and I was more peeved about the inclusion of non-words like “Halloweekend” than whatever shapes pop up if I were to take a marker and color in so,e of the boxes.

Ahem, “portmanteau”.

HUNDO.

I mean what the heck.
Now THAT is offensive to a crossword puzzle aficionado! Not a symmetrical swirl shape!