Elissa Silverman and BLM Anti-Semitism Controversy

[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.

Just another reason why we are glad Brandon Todd has been voted out.

[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.

I don't understand why you are completely baffled, seems pretty plain to me, she apologized so either the tweet didn't come out the way she intended or she realized how it sounded! Confused maybe a little, but completely baffled!!! She clearly got it, eventually!!!!!

[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.

Why is it wrong for Jews to call out antisemitism - when there is indeed anti-Semitism within some of the leadership of BLM (and the BLM platform)?

We had a recently reelected member of the DC council who literally said Jews control the weather (!), banks, etc. Brandon Todd ate an effing sandwich when this was happening. Also, despite having two large synagogues in his ward - did zero despite, e.g., death threats against religious leaders.

Centering frequently code for "shut up" - quite frequently in a misogynistic way against Jewish women?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Ok so that’s DuBois.

What about Carmichael? What about the Crown Heights riot?

Jews assimilating has been a survival tactic. When we make our religion clear, we get attacked. That’s not becoming the white man; that’s hiding for survival.

I understand. Jews assimilate for various reasons, survival being one of them. But you are fixated on the reasons for assimilation while Baldwin was discussing the impact of assimilation and his community's perception of assimilated Jews.

I see forms of this same debate frequently on DCUM. Variations such as "Are Jews white?" or "Do Jews benefit from white privilege?" come up from time to time. I think this reflects a struggle between attempting to both assimilate and retain a separate identity. Many Jews end up with a foot in both camps. Being part of the dominate culture and apart from it at the same time. The same may well be true of other groups if we analyzed them enough.

His community’s perception of assimilated Jews as being essentially white is simply wrong. On a per capita basis we are victims of hate crimes more than any other group. We may look white, but we are not treated as such in America.

You’re right that we straddle 2 worlds, like many minority groups. We are not white, though the fact that many of us can pass as white does give us some privilege, but it does not stop the above from being true.

I think the fact that Jews and Blacks are both oppressed minorities—albeit on different levels of intensity—is why the Councilwoman asked BLM to support anti-Semitism.

It would benefit all of us if we could make common cause with one another, rather than adopting what Baldwin was describing as his community’s views of Jews, or worse, saying what Carmichael did.

Baldwin’s quote ignores the fact that the most targeted Jewish community is the VISIBLE Jews — the Hasidim and other orthodox. And by targeted, I mean also targeted by the Black community. We have somehow all forgotten the multiple attacks by the Black Hebrew Israelites across greater NYC over Hanukkah. They attacked ORTHODOX Jews and killed many. Nation of Islam similarly vilifies all Jews but reserves a special hatred for the visible ones (see their conspiracy theory that tfillin are some satanic black cube of Saturn).

The parts of the black community that hate Jews do not focus on assimilated Jews. They hate visible Jews.

(I don’t like to go so off topic from the main point about Elissa’s frankly dumb tweet, but I had to respond to this stupid Baldwin quote)

[Anonymous]

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.

Why is it wrong for Jews to call out antisemitism - when there is indeed anti-Semitism within some of the leadership of BLM (and the BLM platform)?

We had a recently reelected member of the DC council who literally said Jews control the weather (!), banks, etc. Brandon Todd ate an effing sandwich when this was happening. Also, despite having two large synagogues in his ward - did zero despite, e.g., death threats against religious leaders.

Centering frequently code for "shut up" - quite frequently in a misogynistic way against Jewish women?

Exactly. The response a lot of us get when we bring up anti-Semitism is often, “You’re basically white so shut up.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just want to give some additional background here on BLM specifically and antisemitism:

Why Do Black Activists Care About Palestine?
A controversy over anti-Israel statements in the Movement for Black Lives political platform shows the long history of tension between Jews and blacks in the U.S.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theatlantic.com/amp/article/496088/

This is from 2016. Due to this, I’m not quite willing to join the BLM movement band wagon but I would reconsider if I felt they really recanted on the anti Semitic stuff. I am not supporting the Women’s March any longer for the same reason.

Thank you. The feeling of not wanting you involved in the movement is mutual. We have more than enough of our Jewish brothers and sisters are more interested in supporting the causes than looking to be offended.

I don’t think this is a kind response or a response that would help to make the world a better place for all minorities. I don’t think the way to win arguments is to ignore the other side’s argument or comments but to really listen and try to understand where the person is coming from and discuss that. That said, I don’t find DCUM a great forum for that generally, or at least with topics I really care about like antisemitism.

I agree. It’s pretty shocking and disheartening to see the response to your concern over BLM’s position on Israel is for someone to say to you “we don’t want you either so stay away.”

Israel is a very complicated issue. No reasonable Jewish person supports everything the Israeli government does, but often support of Palestine morphs quickly into anti-Semitism. It’s something BLM—and the Women’s March—need to firmly disavow.

[Anonymous]

It’s a non-issue. Most BLM activists reject the antisemitism. This is the major statement from a leader in the Ferguson protests: https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/mailbag/churches-reject-black-lives-matters-platform-on-israel/article_42a99819-8231-572f-83d1-82d7a753a8f8.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a non-issue. Most BLM activists reject the antisemitism. This is the major statement from a leader in the Ferguson protests: https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/mailbag/churches-reject-black-lives-matters-platform-on-israel/article_42a99819-8231-572f-83d1-82d7a753a8f8.html

It’s FAR from a non-issue.

I’ve had black people tell me to my face that Jews played a large role in the slave trade, which is something Louis Farrakhan has long claimed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a non-issue. Most BLM activists reject the antisemitism. This is the major statement from a leader in the Ferguson protests: https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/mailbag/churches-reject-black-lives-matters-platform-on-israel/article_42a99819-8231-572f-83d1-82d7a753a8f8.html

It’s FAR from a non-issue.

I’ve had black people tell me to my face that Jews played a large role in the slave trade, which is something Louis Farrakhan has long claimed.

Moreover, that statement is against BLM’s stance on Jews and Israel. I’ve seen nothing like that coming from BLM itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a non-issue. Most BLM activists reject the antisemitism. This is the major statement from a leader in the Ferguson protests: https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/mailbag/churches-reject-black-lives-matters-platform-on-israel/article_42a99819-8231-572f-83d1-82d7a753a8f8.html

It’s FAR from a non-issue.

I’ve had black people tell me to my face that Jews played a large role in the slave trade, which is something Louis Farrakhan has long claimed.

Some people repeat Farrakhan stuff, sure. But Bishop Wooton and the Ecumenical Council (did you read the statement?) speak for the majority. For most everyone BLM means just that, BLM. Not on board with people trying to hijack BLM for any other agenda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a non-issue. Most BLM activists reject the antisemitism. This is the major statement from a leader in the Ferguson protests: https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/mailbag/churches-reject-black-lives-matters-platform-on-israel/article_42a99819-8231-572f-83d1-82d7a753a8f8.html

It’s FAR from a non-issue.

I’ve had black people tell me to my face that Jews played a large role in the slave trade, which is something Louis Farrakhan has long claimed.

Some people repeat Farrakhan stuff, sure. But Bishop Wooton and the Ecumenical Council (did you read the statement?) speak for the majority. For most everyone BLM means just that, BLM. Not on board with people trying to hijack BLM for any other agenda.

I did read the statement. He’s calling out BLM. I haven’t seen anything from BLM itself, unless you can show me proof that Bishop Wootton and the Ecumenical Council’s statement was explicitly endorsed by BLM.

Can you show me that?

[Anonymous]

As Jews we have to confront our anti-black racism. It's there, but we often don't want to see it. Marty Peretz of The New Republic exemplified this. He wrote things that could have competed with segregationists. There are many in our community who hold anti-black views and try to hide behind the fact they are Jewish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As Jews we have to confront our anti-black racism. It's there, but we often don't want to see it. Marty Peretz of The New Republic exemplified this. He wrote things that could have competed with segregationists. There are many in our community who hold anti-black views and try to hide behind the fact they are Jewish.

I don’t doubt that that’s true, but at the same time, the black community needs to confront the anti-Semitism among them as well. They need to accept that there are many among them that minimize anti-Semitism and some that harbor it themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a non-issue. Most BLM activists reject the antisemitism. This is the major statement from a leader in the Ferguson protests: https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/mailbag/churches-reject-black-lives-matters-platform-on-israel/article_42a99819-8231-572f-83d1-82d7a753a8f8.html

It’s FAR from a non-issue.

I’ve had black people tell me to my face that Jews played a large role in the slave trade, which is something Louis Farrakhan has long claimed.

Some people repeat Farrakhan stuff, sure. But Bishop Wooton and the Ecumenical Council (did you read the statement?) speak for the majority. For most everyone BLM means just that, BLM. Not on board with people trying to hijack BLM for any other agenda.

I did read the statement. He’s calling out BLM. I haven’t seen anything from BLM itself, unless you can show me proof that Bishop Wootton and the Ecumenical Council’s statement was explicitly endorsed by BLM.

Can you show me that?

The M4BL and other “statements” are written by a small handful of left-wing activists. For 99% of people out there, BLM is about just that. Wooten’s statement reflects that. Most Jewish groups recognize that that, too. The biggest Jewish denomination in America, Reform, just out out a statement affirming BLM. They clearly aren’t supporting antisemitism, and they are pro-Israel too. The whole “antisemitism” thing is a big distraction from the central message of BLM. Jews should stop trying to paint BLM with the far-left/Farrakhan views that most supports don’t share.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a non-issue. Most BLM activists reject the antisemitism. This is the major statement from a leader in the Ferguson protests: https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/mailbag/churches-reject-black-lives-matters-platform-on-israel/article_42a99819-8231-572f-83d1-82d7a753a8f8.html

It’s FAR from a non-issue.

I’ve had black people tell me to my face that Jews played a large role in the slave trade, which is something Louis Farrakhan has long claimed.

Some people repeat Farrakhan stuff, sure. But Bishop Wooton and the Ecumenical Council (did you read the statement?) speak for the majority. For most everyone BLM means just that, BLM. Not on board with people trying to hijack BLM for any other agenda.

I did read the statement. He’s calling out BLM. I haven’t seen anything from BLM itself, unless you can show me proof that Bishop Wootton and the Ecumenical Council’s statement was explicitly endorsed by BLM.

Can you show me that?

The M4BL and other “statements” are written by a small handful of left-wing activists. For 99% of people out there, BLM is about just that. Wooten’s statement reflects that. Most Jewish groups recognize that that, too. The biggest Jewish denomination in America, Reform, just out out a statement affirming BLM. They clearly aren’t supporting antisemitism, and they are pro-Israel too. The whole “antisemitism” thing is a big distraction from the central message of BLM. Jews should stop trying to paint BLM with the far-left/Farrakhan views that most supports don’t share.

You’re just wrong. BLM’s statement on Palestine is proof of that. Most BLM supporters probably aren’t actively anti-Semitic, but they also see Jews as basically white people, which is problematic. I would like to see BLM explicitly disavow Farrakhan, Carmichael, and Baldwin’s reading of Jewish history. Then I’ll believe you.

As an aside, if you think “Reform” is some unified construct, then you’re sadly ignorant. Nothing like that really exists.