A very uncomfortable situation- how to handle

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am friends with a group from my sons school. We get together once a month for lunch or dinner.

So happens we went out for lunch today for our monthly get together. We are a real mix of personalities. Of the 8 of us, 2 are Jewish the rest are mixed religions. We all never bring up politics or religion as an unspoken rule however today the most outspoken of the bunch came out and blasted Israel for what they are doing. She really unloaded, once she got started, she didn't let up (with encouragement from others). We were all kind of surprised and in shock at first. One of the moms (Jewish) is married to a christian husband and is not religious and was one of the first to agree. Then a few others did too. The other Jewish mom however did not take this well. She started to defend whats going on then abruptly got up and said she had to leave early.

Of all the moms, shes the one I am the least close with but I feel badly for how it went. I want to call her just to see how shes doing because I know it was upsetting to her. Not to say I agree with her at all but shes human and no doubt felt really outnumbered as the "ringleader" came on really strong. Should I call or leave it alone?

This woman sounds like a real piece of work, as do all the women who were egging her on. The gathering is not a place where people typically bring up religion or politics so I get why the Jewish woman was upset. Overall, I think the woman who was upset should take this as a sign to find new friends instead of hanging out with miserable progressives.

Or, just throwing this out there, she could have actually stayed and listened, and contributed to the conversation with her thoughts- because years of cultural echo chambers probably have prepared few for what this current Middle East conflict is actually doing to the global world and our own political environment. This conflict is really doing it's intended job- it divided the left, considering the right and left was divided in the last admin. If it wasn't so awful, one could say it was almost genius.

No, people have to stay and understand what is going on.

This is ridiculous and may be why she left. The Jewish woman needs to be stayed and taught by the white Americans who know best about what’s happening in Israel and Palestine. No, thank you. I am Jewish and would have left as well - I don’t need this kind of uneducated and unnuanced ranting in my life. I shouldn’t have to add this, but I will: I am also against many of the actions of the Israeli government in perpetrating this war in Gaza. But I’m pretty confident I know a lot more about it than this ranting woman does.

Are you suggesting that Jews are not white?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am friends with a group from my sons school. We get together once a month for lunch or dinner.

So happens we went out for lunch today for our monthly get together. We are a real mix of personalities. Of the 8 of us, 2 are Jewish the rest are mixed religions. We all never bring up politics or religion as an unspoken rule however today the most outspoken of the bunch came out and blasted Israel for what they are doing. She really unloaded, once she got started, she didn't let up (with encouragement from others). We were all kind of surprised and in shock at first. One of the moms (Jewish) is married to a christian husband and is not religious and was one of the first to agree. Then a few others did too. The other Jewish mom however did not take this well. She started to defend whats going on then abruptly got up and said she had to leave early.

Of all the moms, shes the one I am the least close with but I feel badly for how it went. I want to call her just to see how shes doing because I know it was upsetting to her. Not to say I agree with her at all but shes human and no doubt felt really outnumbered as the "ringleader" came on really strong. Should I call or leave it alone?

This woman sounds like a real piece of work, as do all the women who were egging her on. The gathering is not a place where people typically bring up religion or politics so I get why the Jewish woman was upset. Overall, I think the woman who was upset should take this as a sign to find new friends instead of hanging out with miserable progressives.

Or, just throwing this out there, she could have actually stayed and listened, and contributed to the conversation with her thoughts- because years of cultural echo chambers probably have prepared few for what this current Middle East conflict is actually doing to the global world and our own political environment. This conflict is really doing it's intended job- it divided the left, considering the right and left was divided in the last admin. If it wasn't so awful, one could say it was almost genius.

No, people have to stay and understand what is going on.

This is ridiculous and may be why she left. The Jewish woman needs to be stayed and taught by the white Americans who know best about what’s happening in Israel and Palestine. No, thank you. I am Jewish and would have left as well - I don’t need this kind of uneducated and unnuanced ranting in my life. I shouldn’t have to add this, but I will: I am also against many of the actions of the Israeli government in perpetrating this war in Gaza. But I’m pretty confident I know a lot more about it than this ranting woman does.

Are you suggesting that Jews are not white?

Some are, some are not. As I’m sure you know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am friends with a group from my sons school. We get together once a month for lunch or dinner.

So happens we went out for lunch today for our monthly get together. We are a real mix of personalities. Of the 8 of us, 2 are Jewish the rest are mixed religions. We all never bring up politics or religion as an unspoken rule however today the most outspoken of the bunch came out and blasted Israel for what they are doing. She really unloaded, once she got started, she didn't let up (with encouragement from others). We were all kind of surprised and in shock at first. One of the moms (Jewish) is married to a christian husband and is not religious and was one of the first to agree. Then a few others did too. The other Jewish mom however did not take this well. She started to defend whats going on then abruptly got up and said she had to leave early.

Of all the moms, shes the one I am the least close with but I feel badly for how it went. I want to call her just to see how shes doing because I know it was upsetting to her. Not to say I agree with her at all but shes human and no doubt felt really outnumbered as the "ringleader" came on really strong. Should I call or leave it alone?

This woman sounds like a real piece of work, as do all the women who were egging her on. The gathering is not a place where people typically bring up religion or politics so I get why the Jewish woman was upset. Overall, I think the woman who was upset should take this as a sign to find new friends instead of hanging out with miserable progressives.

Or, just throwing this out there, she could have actually stayed and listened, and contributed to the conversation with her thoughts- because years of cultural echo chambers probably have prepared few for what this current Middle East conflict is actually doing to the global world and our own political environment. This conflict is really doing it's intended job- it divided the left, considering the right and left was divided in the last admin. If it wasn't so awful, one could say it was almost genius.

No, people have to stay and understand what is going on.

This is ridiculous and may be why she left. The Jewish woman needs to be stayed and taught by the white Americans who know best about what’s happening in Israel and Palestine. No, thank you. I am Jewish and would have left as well - I don’t need this kind of uneducated and unnuanced ranting in my life. I shouldn’t have to add this, but I will: I am also against many of the actions of the Israeli government in perpetrating this war in Gaza. But I’m pretty confident I know a lot more about it than this ranting woman does.

Are you suggesting that Jews are not white?

I think white here is being used as shorthand for Christian/non-minority, as it often is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am friends with a group from my sons school. We get together once a month for lunch or dinner.

So happens we went out for lunch today for our monthly get together. We are a real mix of personalities. Of the 8 of us, 2 are Jewish the rest are mixed religions. We all never bring up politics or religion as an unspoken rule however today the most outspoken of the bunch came out and blasted Israel for what they are doing. She really unloaded, once she got started, she didn't let up (with encouragement from others). We were all kind of surprised and in shock at first. One of the moms (Jewish) is married to a christian husband and is not religious and was one of the first to agree. Then a few others did too. The other Jewish mom however did not take this well. She started to defend whats going on then abruptly got up and said she had to leave early.

Of all the moms, shes the one I am the least close with but I feel badly for how it went. I want to call her just to see how shes doing because I know it was upsetting to her. Not to say I agree with her at all but shes human and no doubt felt really outnumbered as the "ringleader" came on really strong. Should I call or leave it alone?

This woman sounds like a real piece of work, as do all the women who were egging her on. The gathering is not a place where people typically bring up religion or politics so I get why the Jewish woman was upset. Overall, I think the woman who was upset should take this as a sign to find new friends instead of hanging out with miserable progressives.

Or, just throwing this out there, she could have actually stayed and listened, and contributed to the conversation with her thoughts- because years of cultural echo chambers probably have prepared few for what this current Middle East conflict is actually doing to the global world and our own political environment. This conflict is really doing it's intended job- it divided the left, considering the right and left was divided in the last admin. If it wasn't so awful, one could say it was almost genius.

No, people have to stay and understand what is going on.

This is ridiculous and may be why she left. The Jewish woman needs to be stayed and taught by the white Americans who know best about what’s happening in Israel and Palestine. No, thank you. I am Jewish and would have left as well - I don’t need this kind of uneducated and unnuanced ranting in my life. I shouldn’t have to add this, but I will: I am also against many of the actions of the Israeli government in perpetrating this war in Gaza. But I’m pretty confident I know a lot more about it than this ranting woman does.

Are you suggesting that Jews are not white?

I think white here is being used as shorthand for Christian/non-minority, as it often is.

If so, it's a very bad trend, IMO.

[Anonymous]

I am with 100% with Israel and the Israeli people.

I am a minority. Non-White. Non-Christian. Immigrant. I am a Democrat who is horrified how quickly democracy folded in this country. But, I also do not discuss politics.

I do not let anyone in my friend's group discuss politics, race and religion. I would have stood up and blasted the ringleader for discussing this topic in my presence in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am with 100% with Israel and the Israeli people.

I am a minority. Non-White. Non-Christian. Immigrant. I am a Democrat who is horrified how quickly democracy folded in this country. But, I also do not discuss politics.

I do not let anyone in my friend's group discuss politics, race and religion. I would have stood up and blasted the ringleader for discussing this topic in my presence in the first place.

If you and your friends actually never discuss politics, in today's political environment, or race, or even religion- these are not friends and you are barely a functioning person. What the heck are you you all ? Barbie dolls that meet for dinner or coffee?
WHAT on earth do you all talk about? Tennis, golf, and your clothes? Such shallow, vapid ignorance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am with 100% with Israel and the Israeli people.

I am a minority. Non-White. Non-Christian. Immigrant. I am a Democrat who is horrified how quickly democracy folded in this country. But, I also do not discuss politics.

I do not let anyone in my friend's group discuss politics, race and religion. I would have stood up and blasted the ringleader for discussing this topic in my presence in the first place.

If you and your friends actually never discuss politics, in today's political environment, or race, or even religion- these are not friends and you are barely a functioning person. What the heck are you you all ? Barbie dolls that meet for dinner or coffee?
WHAT on earth do you all talk about? Tennis, golf, and your clothes? Such shallow, vapid ignorance.

I would never discuss politics with my friends. My politics are none of their business, and theirs are none of mine. There are a gazillion other things I'd rather discuss with my friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am with 100% with Israel and the Israeli people.

I am a minority. Non-White. Non-Christian. Immigrant. I am a Democrat who is horrified how quickly democracy folded in this country. But, I also do not discuss politics.

I do not let anyone in my friend's group discuss politics, race and religion. I would have stood up and blasted the ringleader for discussing this topic in my presence in the first place.

If you and your friends actually never discuss politics, in today's political environment, or race, or even religion- these are not friends and you are barely a functioning person. What the heck are you you all ? Barbie dolls that meet for dinner or coffee?
WHAT on earth do you all talk about? Tennis, golf, and your clothes? Such shallow, vapid ignorance.

I would never discuss politics with my friends. My politics are none of their business, and theirs are none of mine. There are a gazillion other things I'd rather discuss with my friends.

What do you discuss with your friends? and what do you do when they bring up politics?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am with 100% with Israel and the Israeli people.

I am a minority. Non-White. Non-Christian. Immigrant. I am a Democrat who is horrified how quickly democracy folded in this country. But, I also do not discuss politics.

I do not let anyone in my friend's group discuss politics, race and religion. I would have stood up and blasted the ringleader for discussing this topic in my presence in the first place.

If you and your friends actually never discuss politics, in today's political environment, or race, or even religion- these are not friends and you are barely a functioning person. What the heck are you you all ? Barbie dolls that meet for dinner or coffee?
WHAT on earth do you all talk about? Tennis, golf, and your clothes? Such shallow, vapid ignorance.

I would never discuss politics with my friends. My politics are none of their business, and theirs are none of mine. There are a gazillion other things I'd rather discuss with my friends.

What do you discuss with your friends? and what do you do when they bring up politics?

When I know or suspect that someone holds strongly views, I listen to them if they want to express their views, but tend to only listen and not really respond.

[Anonymous]

For example, MAGA want you to agree with them, and if you don’t agree they tend to drop you quickly in my experience. There are certain people, and this list is ever increasing, where many topics are simply off limits. These aren’t exactly friends. Friends should be able to have opposing views.