Elissa Silverman and BLM Anti-Semitism Controversy

[jsteele]

I am completely baffled by the controversy that has arisen from this tweet by At Large Council Member Elissa Silverman:

She was immediately attacked due to making her support for BLM "transactional". However, I don't read her tweet as offering her support for BLM in return for their support against anti-Semitism. Rather, I see her offering her support unconditionally and only expressing her hope that BLM will join her. Never mind that BLM should be opposing anti-Semitism regardless of what Silverman does.

Silverman quickly apologized:

But that hasn't stopped the attacks:

I think the appropriate response by BLM and its supporters to Silverman's initial tweet would be to thank her for her support and assure her that they will always stand by her against anti-Semitism. These attacks on her are very discouraging and disappointing.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think Silverman’s tweet implied a “quid pro quo” and I think those who jumped on her were totally misconstruing what she said. Yeah, I get it folks are worked up and eager to call stuff out these days so I’m not surprised by some of the more emotional citizenry expressing their thoughts.

But Kenyan...Brandon...c’mon that’s just flat out selfish political opportunism. For them to jump on the bandwagon and say, “Yeah I’m offended” is irresponsible and disingenuous in my estimation. They’re just trying to earn themselves “cool points” with Black constituents.

That being said, Silverman and others need to recognize the times and climate we’re in right now. This is not a “Type and Send” season we’re in. All elected officials need to understand they are in the spotlight right now and it’s 100% “Pause and Consider” time when it comes to tweets and comments.

The outrage is uncalled for but she could have exercised better judgment. Nonetheless, nobody’s perfect so I say cut her some slack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think Silverman’s tweet implied a “quid pro quo” and I think those who jumped on her were totally misconstruing what she said. Yeah, I get it folks are worked up and eager to call stuff out these days so I’m not surprised by some of the more emotional citizenry expressing their thoughts.

But Kenyan...Brandon...c’mon that’s just flat out selfish political opportunism. For them to jump on the bandwagon and say, “Yeah I’m offended” is irresponsible and disingenuous in my estimation. They’re just trying to earn themselves “cool points” with Black constituents.

That being said, Silverman and others need to recognize the times and climate we’re in right now. This is not a “Type and Send” season we’re in. All elected officials need to understand they are in the spotlight right now and it’s 100% “Pause and Consider” time when it comes to tweets and comments.

The outrage is uncalled for but she could have exercised better judgment. Nonetheless, nobody’s perfect so I say cut her some slack.

There is a back story, to tired to quote and unravel but you can go online and unravel yourself! She apologized, so let's move on!

[Anonymous]

Just more liberal progressive hypocrisy. Why is anybody surprised?

[Anonymous]

I know in LA there was some anti-Semitic graffiti. I don't know if it was addressed by the larger movement. Historically, there were some tensions between Jews and blacks. This has grown due to Israel.

Agree with PP that she should thought before sending that tweet.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Just more liberal progressive hypocrisy. Why is anybody surprised?

Yeah, if you have nothing more substantial than this to contribute you might want to sit this one out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think Silverman’s tweet implied a “quid pro quo” and I think those who jumped on her were totally misconstruing what she said. Yeah, I get it folks are worked up and eager to call stuff out these days so I’m not surprised by some of the more emotional citizenry expressing their thoughts.

But Kenyan...Brandon...c’mon that’s just flat out selfish political opportunism. For them to jump on the bandwagon and say, “Yeah I’m offended” is irresponsible and disingenuous in my estimation. They’re just trying to earn themselves “cool points” with Black constituents.

That being said, Silverman and others need to recognize the times and climate we’re in right now. This is not a “Type and Send” season we’re in. All elected officials need to understand they are in the spotlight right now and it’s 100% “Pause and Consider” time when it comes to tweets and comments.

The outrage is uncalled for but she could have exercised better judgment. Nonetheless, nobody’s perfect so I say cut her some slack.

There is a back story, to tired to quote and unravel but you can go online and unravel yourself! She apologized, so let's move on!

I saw where she added another tweet saying, "When I needed an ally on hate, unfortunately there was silence. And actually telling me that b/c I was Jewish, I supported the Israeli police tactics. I'm not saying it's conditional. I support BLM. I hope eventually they will support anti hate when it comes to Jews in our city.”

Again...I still didn’t see it as a quid pro quo. I still think folks misconstrued her comments, but she didn’t exactly make things easy for herself with all that extra shit. Yeah, it’s marginalized and discriminated groups all throughout society this country has issues - but Black folks got the Gripe Podium right now. The attacks were unwarranted and like Jeff said, sad. But she did open herself up for em by doing too much of her own griping. Yes, she got a point and yes antisemitism is an issue but she could have shown better tact and let Black folks have the floor for a moment.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:I am completely baffled by the controversy that has arisen from this tweet by At Large Council Member Elissa Silverman:

She was immediately attacked due to making her support for BLM "transactional". However, I don't read her tweet as offering her support for BLM in return for their support against anti-Semitism. Rather, I see her offering her support unconditionally and only expressing her hope that BLM will join her. Never mind that BLM should be opposing anti-Semitism regardless of what Silverman does.

Silverman quickly apologized:

But that hasn't stopped the attacks:

I think the appropriate response by BLM and its supporters to Silverman's initial tweet would be to thank her for her support and assure her that they will always stand by her against anti-Semitism. These attacks on her are very discouraging and disappointing.

Someone stating that they are disappointed or dismayed by what someone else has said is not an attack. People are allowed to disagree with what she said. The examples you've posted here are quite civil in their disagreement. And there is a huge issue with white liberals being transactional in their support, wanting pats on the back for doing what they should do as decent humans. Supporting equality for black people is not a favor and they do not owe you for their support.

That being said, I have absolutely no issue standing against antisemitism, and I don’t think her tweet was the most egregious example of this issue.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Someone stating that they are disappointed or dismayed by what someone else has said is not an attack. People are allowed to disagree with what she said. The examples you've posted here are quite civil in their disagreement. And there is a huge issue with white liberals being transactional in their support, wanting pats on the back for doing what they should do as decent humans. Supporting equality for black people is not a favor and they do not owe you for their support.

That being said, I have absolutely no issue standing against antisemitism, and I don’t think her tweet was the most egregious example of this issue.

Whether you characterize the statements as attacks or expressions of disagreement, they are quite harsh. McDuffie didn't bother to give Silverman the courtesy of talking to her and then misstated what she had said. Your explanation involves the same sort of reasoning common among racists. Sure, there is an issue of white liberal being transactional so we must immediately assume that all white liberals are transactional. How often has such reductive logic been applied against black people?

If Silverman had been transactional, she should rightly have been called out. But she wasn't and those who wrongly claimed that she was are the ones who should be called out now. No excuses for them are necessary or acceptable. Either you have values to which you adhere are you are just tribal. I am not interested in tribalism.

[Anonymous]

I think there are two potential issues:
1. There's an implied accusation that they wouldn't support antisemitism.
2. She's centering herself when right now we're supposed to raising and centering black voices.

[Anonymous]

Can't we all just get along?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think there are two potential issues:
1. There's an implied accusation that they wouldn't support antisemitism.
2. She's centering herself when right now we're supposed to raising and centering black voices.

I think point 2 is the issue. Time and place.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just more liberal progressive hypocrisy. Why is anybody surprised?

Yeah, if you have nothing more substantial than this to contribute you might want to sit this one out.

Both sides are hypocrites. If you can’t see that...

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there are two potential issues:
1. There's an implied accusation that they wouldn't support antisemitism.
2. She's centering herself when right now we're supposed to raising and centering black voices.

I think point 2 is the issue. Time and place.

Fine. If you think that is what she is doing, criticize her for that. Don't issue statements saying that she is being transactional when she clearly wasn't.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there are two potential issues:
1. There's an implied accusation that they wouldn't support antisemitism.
2. She's centering herself when right now we're supposed to raising and centering black voices.

I think point 2 is the issue. Time and place.

Fine. If you think that is what she is doing, criticize her for that. Don't issue statements saying that she is being transactional when she clearly wasn't.

That's your opinion. Other's obviously took it differently. And they're just as entitled to their opinion, and to express that opinion.