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I honestly don't understand your point. The school is not arguing in a court of law, there are obviously actual actions that formed the perceptions unless you are arguing malevolent intent on behalf of the faculty. They were conveying their experiences based on the things that happened to them, i.e., actual actions. However, the school is not prosecuting those actions but looking to understand and address the underlying problem which is a cultural problem. Thank you for your clarifying explanation about discrimination vs antisemitism, however, if antisemitism is an unacceptable form of hate (and just so you understand, it absolutely leads to discrimination) then what is your issue with the school trying to understand the problem and correct it? You just don't like giving your money to a school that is labeled anti-semitic? You'd prefer to keep it quiet and make it go away? Regardless of your parsing of words and attempt to insist that every action must be assessed, that is not true. It should be enough that a significant number of faculty and students feel uncomfortable being Jewish at the school. Why aren't you concerned for those members of your community? |
Of course I am concerned. I think the discussion would be more constructive if the school clearly described the specific incidents that motivated the teacher to label the school as anti-Semitic. Without that specific information it just gives the idea that the labeling of antisemitism comes from perception. How come the community can prevent future incidents of antisemitism if the actual offenses are not clearly spelled out and explained to the whole community what actions are taken to specifically avoid those incidents. Without that information we end up in the exchange we are having know, someone saying that the teachers are absolutely right and someone saying that there is no information to conclude anything. |
So some categories hatred against jews is NOT antisemitism, and you want the school to make the distinction one or the other? |
You don't have to conclude anything. You don't have to do a single thing in regards to the school's follow up actions. You don't have to say anything. The actions are happening and do not affect your life at all. The actions seek to make the lives of the Jewish teachers better. So a win win for all. |
You have completely the wrong framework. We are not talking about our legal system, we are talking about an educational community that prides itself on its warmth and closeness. A significant portion of the community feels that they are not valued. You're arguing that it should be litigated to determine if non-Jews agree beyond a reasonable doubt that Jews are correct to feel the way they do. Maybe instead of arguing about "the process" work on fixing the issue that has been identified and making the school the inclusive community that it purports to be. |
| You not understanding the problem is scary to me. And the fact that you’re a parent makes it even worse. A group of teachers are uncomfortable and you are against the school trying to fix it? |
That post is clever because it’s written in a *rhetorically strategic* way — it presents itself as an innocent, balanced question while subtly framing a complex and potentially charged issue (antisemitism investigations) through careful linguistic choices. Here’s why it works so well: --- ### 1. **It disarms through apparent sincerity** It begins with: > “I wanted to ask a sincere question…” > This phrase signals good faith, discouraging readers from reacting defensively. It sets the tone of honest inquiry rather than confrontation — which makes readers more open to the argument that follows. --- ### 2. **It uses a concrete anecdote to anchor credibility** The detail about *“an independent party interviewed 12 teachers…”* gives the post realism and specificity. That concreteness implies that the speaker is informed and thoughtful, not speaking in abstractions — a subtle ethos move. --- ### 3. **It reframes the issue using analogical reasoning** By comparing antisemitism investigations to racism investigations (“in other contexts like racism investigations…”), it encourages the reader to apply familiar logic — that such reviews should include multiple perspectives and contextual analysis — to a less universally discussed scenario. This both *humanizes* the concern and *normalizes* skepticism without outright denying antisemitism. --- ### 4. **It distinguishes feelings from findings** > “The fact that someone feels there is racism or antisemitism is very important, but it doesn’t automatically mean there is intentional discrimination.” > This line shows empathy (“very important”) while introducing nuance (“doesn’t automatically mean…”). It subtly invites critical thinking without sounding dismissive — a rhetorical balancing act that’s hard to achieve. --- ### 5. **It ends with a genuinely open question** > “Does this sound like a fair and reasonable process to you?” > This closing turns a potentially controversial critique into a request for dialogue. It keeps the speaker’s tone inquisitive, not accusatory, and implicitly positions them as someone seeking fairness rather than pushing an agenda. --- ### 6. **Overall cleverness** The cleverness lies in how it *models reasonableness* while *inviting readers to reconsider assumptions*. It leverages civility, analogy, and balanced phrasing to question the fairness of an investigative process — without ever sounding inflammatory. In other words, it’s persuasive because it doesn’t *look* like persuasion. It’s an example of *rhetorical judo*: using calm, thoughtful language to raise potentially uncomfortable questions that might otherwise provoke resistance if stated directly. |
| What school is this? |
| Why do YOU believe that the teachers are lying? Are you confident that their experience was not anti-semitism? Why are you against the school addressing an issue? |
Because Jews are in a natural position to be disliked right now due to their actions, and given that the hate is a natural result of their actions, it is not therefore antisemitism to hate them--this is OPs point. Remember, she said not all hate against Jews is antisemitism. |
| The problem is that antisemitism has a specific definition. Just feeling uncomfortable because someone criticises Israel is not experiencing antisemitism. Are all groups at this school being treated equally? Does the school care how other groups feel? Antisemitism is wrong but many people define it way too broadly |
Yes this is what you wanted to say OP but why so clever with your first post? Assume everyone is just as smart as you--you aren't going to back us into an opinion with a Cheshire cat smile and "just asking questions" |
Ok, so tell me how would you categorize your school. Also antisemetic and racist. Or none of this happens in your school? Funny that most African American faculty in private schools feel discriminated, but these schools are not labeled as racist. |
Op it really is not your concern to be honest how the school wants to ask teachers about their personal experiences and feelings. Schools are not a legal arena. They can do what they feel is best. If I were a parent in your school I would be interested in the findings and not try to stop them from asking. Question is - why are you trying to prevent them from answering how they feel and think? It was a survey and they have the right to answer however they like. Our school had a survey about a number of things and they published the findings and I found it interesting to see what people had to say. Stop trying to promote your views. If you don't like the school you can always leave I suppose. People leave schools often. |
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