jsteele wrote:Here's an update for those of you who aren't obsessive Twitter followers of those involved in local politics. The Council has breakfasts prior to Council sessions that are informal meetings. They aren't broadcast, but are open to the public. This morning, there was discussion of a resolution condemning hate speech. Twelve of the thirteen members present (Trayon White wasn't there at that time) supported the resolution. The only opponent was Elissa Silverman who didn't think the resolution went far enough. She demanded action rather than mere words. Silverman, Cheh, and Grosso all called for Josh Lopez to be removed from the Housing Commission. At some point, a Jewish faith leader interrupted them and yelled about Jews being called "termites". It was eventually agreed that Mendelson would draft a letter to Mayor Bowser asking her to remove Lopez and then circulate the letter for signatures. He is concerned that not all CMs will sign it.

There is video of Rabbi Herzfeld interrupting them here:

https://twitter.com/FenitN/status/991333292799643648

The Council then gathered on the Wilson Building stairs in an impromptu condemnation of hate speech.

The Council is also planning a visit to the Holocaust Museum and possibly the African American Museum. Finally, Brianne Nadeau is working with Bowser to plan an event on May 16 to learn about Jewish and African-American histories.

Edit to add: here is video of the statement on the steps of the Wilson building which included a specific reference to the anti-Semitic remarks previously spoken there:

https://twitter.com/FenitN/status/991338852760588288

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:Martin Austermuhle has just tweeted that Josh Lopez has just resigned from the Housing Authority.

https://twitter.com/maustermuhle/status/991344462046560256

One word: Good.

jsteele wrote:Martin Austermuhle has just tweeted that Josh Lopez has just resigned from the Housing Authority.

https://twitter.com/maustermuhle/status/991344462046560256

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:Here's an update for those of you who aren't obsessive Twitter followers of those involved in local politics. The Council has breakfasts prior to Council sessions that are informal meetings. They aren't broadcast, but are open to the public. This morning, there was discussion of a resolution condemning hate speech. Twelve of the thirteen members present (Trayon White wasn't there at that time) supported the resolution. The only opponent was Elissa Silverman who didn't think the resolution went far enough. She demanded action rather than mere words. Silverman, Cheh, and Grosso all called for Josh Lopez to be removed from the Housing Commission. At some point, a Jewish faith leader interrupted them and yelled about Jews being called "termites". It was eventually agreed that Mendelson would draft a letter to Mayor Bowser asking her to remove Lopez and then circulate the letter for signatures. He is concerned that not all CMs will sign it.

There is video of Rabbi Herzfeld interrupting them here:

https://twitter.com/FenitN/status/991333292799643648

The Council then gathered on the Wilson Building stairs in an impromptu condemnation of hate speech.

The Council is also planning a visit to the Holocaust Museum and possibly the African American Museum. Finally, Brianne Nadeau is working with Bowser to plan an event on May 16 to learn about Jewish and African-American histories.

Edit to add: here is video of the statement on the steps of the Wilson building which included a specific reference to the anti-Semitic remarks previously spoken there:

https://twitter.com/FenitN/status/991338852760588288

Hallelujah, amen! (And thanks for posting the latest news.)

I am so relieved that Elissa Silverman stood up against the weak initial response recommended by 12 of the members. A resolution condemning hate speech, really? THAT requires a resolution? All that would have been is a bunch of talk with no real meaning behind it, other than to transmit that anti-Semitism enabled by a DC official brings about no real action. Kudos for Silverman (and Cheh and Grosso) for sending a stronger message: DC leaders do not tolerate those who advance or enable anti-Semitism in their ranks, and those who do will be asked to resign (or be terminated).

(Don't get me started on Trayon. As far as I'm concerned, he has been given FAR too wide a berth on this issue, but I understand the fear of political blowback, unfortunate as it is. Also, was the reason he was not present because the Council was going to discuss proper action in the face of anti-Semitism, and he wanted no part of it and voluntarily skipped it? Or was he asked to absent himself because he has refused to condemn an anti-Semitic attack on his fellow Councilmember, as demonstrated last week?)

jsteele wrote:Here's an update for those of you who aren't obsessive Twitter followers of those involved in local politics. The Council has breakfasts prior to Council sessions that are informal meetings. They aren't broadcast, but are open to the public. This morning, there was discussion of a resolution condemning hate speech. Twelve of the thirteen members present (Trayon White wasn't there at that time) supported the resolution. The only opponent was Elissa Silverman who didn't think the resolution went far enough. She demanded action rather than mere words. Silverman, Cheh, and Grosso all called for Josh Lopez to be removed from the Housing Commission. At some point, a Jewish faith leader interrupted them and yelled about Jews being called "termites". It was eventually agreed that Mendelson would draft a letter to Mayor Bowser asking her to remove Lopez and then circulate the letter for signatures. He is concerned that not all CMs will sign it.

There is video of Rabbi Herzfeld interrupting them here:

https://twitter.com/FenitN/status/991333292799643648

The Council then gathered on the Wilson Building stairs in an impromptu condemnation of hate speech.

The Council is also planning a visit to the Holocaust Museum and possibly the African American Museum. Finally, Brianne Nadeau is working with Bowser to plan an event on May 16 to learn about Jewish and African-American histories.

Edit to add: here is video of the statement on the steps of the Wilson building which included a specific reference to the anti-Semitic remarks previously spoken there:

https://twitter.com/FenitN/status/991338852760588288

jsteele wrote:Here's an update for those of you who aren't obsessive Twitter followers of those involved in local politics. The Council has breakfasts prior to Council sessions that are informal meetings. They aren't broadcast, but are open to the public. This morning, there was discussion of a resolution condemning hate speech. Twelve of the thirteen members present (Trayon White wasn't there at that time) supported the resolution. The only opponent was Elissa Silverman who didn't think the resolution went far enough. She demanded action rather than mere words. Silverman, Cheh, and Grosso all called for Josh Lopez to be removed from the Housing Commission. At some point, a Jewish faith leader interrupted them and yelled about Jews being called "termites". It was eventually agreed that Mendelson would draft a letter to Mayor Bowser asking her to remove Lopez and then circulate the letter for signatures. He is concerned that not all CMs will sign it.

There is video of Rabbi Herzfeld interrupting them here:

https://twitter.com/FenitN/status/991333292799643648

The Council then gathered on the Wilson Building stairs in an impromptu condemnation of hate speech.

The Council is also planning a visit to the Holocaust Museum and possibly the African American Museum. Finally, Brianne Nadeau is working with Bowser to plan an event on May 16 to learn about Jewish and African-American histories.

Edit to add: here is video of the statement on the steps of the Wilson building which included a specific reference to the anti-Semitic remarks previously spoken there:

https://twitter.com/FenitN/status/991338852760588288

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well the Democratic primary is less than two months away on June 19th and Muriel Bowser is running unopposed. Why? Why no Jewish candidate challenging her to address the city's seeming acceptance of blatant anti-Semitic behavior?

Can you blame them? I'm Jewish and would not want to serve on a City Council that has effectively announced that antisemtitic behavior among city officials is acceptable, and whose members stand by silently when one of their own is subjected to an antisemtic attack.

Oops....just saw you were speaking of the mayoral race. You really think a Jew has a chance in hell of winning?

Do I think they have a chance of winning, no. But I do think at the very least a challenger can force Muriel to put some effort into addressing these issues that so many find concerning whereas running unopposed she doesn't have to do diddly squat. She doesn't have to utter a peep or get involved in any of Trayon's outlandish antics and she doesn't even have to do say or do anything about her own appointee Joshua Lopez and his irresponsible behavior. All she has to do is lay low, shake hands, and smile her way to victory without any show of leadership on this issue. I totally get the angst folks are feeling cause anti-Semitism is on the rise worldwide and its on the rise here in the US too but let's be real - it ain't coming from just the District and it damn sure ain't coming from just the African-American community either. Ever since Charlottesville its been an uptick in hate crimes in this country. If y'all folks on here think that blaming all the blacks in DC as being at fault for the uptick will help, well more power to you, but personally I don't think that is going to help to tone down shit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well the Democratic primary is less than two months away on June 19th and Muriel Bowser is running unopposed. Why? Why no Jewish candidate challenging her to address the city's seeming acceptance of blatant anti-Semitic behavior?

Can you blame them? I'm Jewish and would not want to serve on a City Council that has effectively announced that antisemtitic behavior among city officials is acceptable, and whose members stand by silently when one of their own is subjected to an antisemtic attack.

Oops....just saw you were speaking of the mayoral race. You really think a Jew has a chance in hell of winning?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread causes anti-Semitic sentiment. So. Much. Whining. And if you had the great misfortune to read the earlier thread on Trayon, the whining is enough to make one physical ill. The Ward 8 blacks are worried about things like putting food on the table and finding employment. Trayon does a good job representing them in their eyes. A NOI guy shouted Jews are like termites after the event was basically over and now you want Trayon who wasn't even there and a Latino dude to lose their jobs? Probably 3 times a year a black yells something racist to me. So what. Do you ever see the white christians on here in hysterics? Pull yourself together already. The world is not always rainbows and unicorns.

Bet if someone yelled the “n” word on stage at some rally in DC you would be the first to call for everyone’s head on a platter. So much hypocrisy.

Breaking news : people do and keep their jobs , but if constantly hiding behind and comparing yourselves to minorities despite you being at the top of the food chain ( so much for anti anti semitism) helps you sleep at night . Go for it

Ah-ha! Now we're getting somewhere. Apparently, to those resentful of Jews' higher-than-average success, that success somehow proves that there isn't antisemitism, hmmm? The fact is that Jews, as a whole, are successful despite hostility from anti-Semites like you.

NP. Perhaps that PP needs to get the book "In Memory's Kitchen" and learn it's poignant history. PP also needs to understand that Jews NEVER stopped studying and learning, even IN the concentration camps. That Jews view the key to success as education, formal and informal. I was taught that when you are learning, your time is never wasted. And that nothing comes easy - if it's worth having it's worth working for.

Yes. Learning is a commandment, and predates Jesus.

What that PP is saying is that because Jews are more successdul, as a whole, than the average American, there can't be antisemtitism - and it's because of the converse. If he acknowledged bigotry AND that Jews do well (again, generally speaking), it would show that failure cannot be blamed entirely on prejudice. That is at the root of antisemtitsm against Jews from blacks: they are angry and resentful that people who have suffered such persecution can, repeatedly, can overcome it.

Please, stop. You're not doing us any favors. (I am a PP who is disgusted at the toleration of anti-semitic speech and have been active on this thread.) You're frankly engaged in racist stereotyping of blacks here to make yourself feel better. While I do believe that history supports the viewpoint that anti-semitism has some roots in envy of Jewish success, it does not follow that African American struggles in the US are caused by some sort of inferiority or lack of effort. The two cultures and histories are completely different. For one thing, Jewish history in the US is a history of voluntary immigration (pre-WWII), with intact families and neighborhoods. Although Jews faced anti-semitism here, that's very different from having your entire family structure and ability to work freely destroyed for generations of slavery. Obviously. So please, stop with the hypocrisy. If you don't want to be stereotyped, don't stereotype others.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread causes anti-Semitic sentiment. So. Much. Whining. And if you had the great misfortune to read the earlier thread on Trayon, the whining is enough to make one physical ill. The Ward 8 blacks are worried about things like putting food on the table and finding employment. Trayon does a good job representing them in their eyes. A NOI guy shouted Jews are like termites after the event was basically over and now you want Trayon who wasn't even there and a Latino dude to lose their jobs? Probably 3 times a year a black yells something racist to me. So what. Do you ever see the white christians on here in hysterics? Pull yourself together already. The world is not always rainbows and unicorns.

Bet if someone yelled the “n” word on stage at some rally in DC you would be the first to call for everyone’s head on a platter. So much hypocrisy.

Breaking news : people do and keep their jobs , but if constantly hiding behind and comparing yourselves to minorities despite you being at the top of the food chain ( so much for anti anti semitism) helps you sleep at night . Go for it

Ah-ha! Now we're getting somewhere. Apparently, to those resentful of Jews' higher-than-average success, that success somehow proves that there isn't antisemitism, hmmm? The fact is that Jews, as a whole, are successful despite hostility from anti-Semites like you.

NP. Perhaps that PP needs to get the book "In Memory's Kitchen" and learn it's poignant history. PP also needs to understand that Jews NEVER stopped studying and learning, even IN the concentration camps. That Jews view the key to success as education, formal and informal. I was taught that when you are learning, your time is never wasted. And that nothing comes easy - if it's worth having it's worth working for.

Yes. Learning is a commandment, and predates Jesus.

What that PP is saying is that because Jews are more successdul, as a whole, than the average American, there can't be antisemtitism - and it's because of the converse. If he acknowledged bigotry AND that Jews do well (again, generally speaking), it would show that failure cannot be blamed entirely on prejudice. That is at the root of antisemtitsm against Jews from blacks: they are angry and resentful that people who have suffered such persecution can, repeatedly, can overcome it.

And what's the root of racism against blacks from whites?
They are ... ... ... ...
Please, enlighten us.

This thread is not about racism against blacks. Not defending it, but we are talking about the city's seeming acceptance of blatant anti-Semitic behavior, particularly in its connection to the anti-Jew attitudes of the Nation of Islam - and how it is able to instill such bigotry against the Jewish people.

Please don't turn a discussion about DC's tolerance for anti-Jew rhetoric into a discussion about anti-black racism and its wrongs. Start a new thread.

Why not. It’s all intertwined. And stop trying to dictate what people can and cannot discuss.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread causes anti-Semitic sentiment. So. Much. Whining. And if you had the great misfortune to read the earlier thread on Trayon, the whining is enough to make one physical ill. The Ward 8 blacks are worried about things like putting food on the table and finding employment. Trayon does a good job representing them in their eyes. A NOI guy shouted Jews are like termites after the event was basically over and now you want Trayon who wasn't even there and a Latino dude to lose their jobs? Probably 3 times a year a black yells something racist to me. So what. Do you ever see the white christians on here in hysterics? Pull yourself together already. The world is not always rainbows and unicorns.

Bet if someone yelled the “n” word on stage at some rally in DC you would be the first to call for everyone’s head on a platter. So much hypocrisy.

Breaking news : people do and keep their jobs , but if constantly hiding behind and comparing yourselves to minorities despite you being at the top of the food chain ( so much for anti anti semitism) helps you sleep at night . Go for it

Ah-ha! Now we're getting somewhere. Apparently, to those resentful of Jews' higher-than-average success, that success somehow proves that there isn't antisemitism, hmmm? The fact is that Jews, as a whole, are successful despite hostility from anti-Semites like you.

NP. Perhaps that PP needs to get the book "In Memory's Kitchen" and learn it's poignant history. PP also needs to understand that Jews NEVER stopped studying and learning, even IN the concentration camps. That Jews view the key to success as education, formal and informal. I was taught that when you are learning, your time is never wasted. And that nothing comes easy - if it's worth having it's worth working for.

Yes. Learning is a commandment, and predates Jesus.

What that PP is saying is that because Jews are more successdul, as a whole, than the average American, there can't be antisemtitism - and it's because of the converse. If he acknowledged bigotry AND that Jews do well (again, generally speaking), it would show that failure cannot be blamed entirely on prejudice. That is at the root of antisemtitsm against Jews from blacks: they are angry and resentful that people who have suffered such persecution can, repeatedly, can overcome it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread causes anti-Semitic sentiment. So. Much. Whining. And if you had the great misfortune to read the earlier thread on Trayon, the whining is enough to make one physical ill. The Ward 8 blacks are worried about things like putting food on the table and finding employment. Trayon does a good job representing them in their eyes. A NOI guy shouted Jews are like termites after the event was basically over and now you want Trayon who wasn't even there and a Latino dude to lose their jobs? Probably 3 times a year a black yells something racist to me. So what. Do you ever see the white christians on here in hysterics? Pull yourself together already. The world is not always rainbows and unicorns.

Bet if someone yelled the “n” word on stage at some rally in DC you would be the first to call for everyone’s head on a platter. So much hypocrisy.

Breaking news : people do and keep their jobs , but if constantly hiding behind and comparing yourselves to minorities despite you being at the top of the food chain ( so much for anti anti semitism) helps you sleep at night . Go for it

Ah-ha! Now we're getting somewhere. Apparently, to those resentful of Jews' higher-than-average success, that success somehow proves that there isn't antisemitism, hmmm? The fact is that Jews, as a whole, are successful despite hostility from anti-Semites like you.

NP. Perhaps that PP needs to get the book "In Memory's Kitchen" and learn it's poignant history. PP also needs to understand that Jews NEVER stopped studying and learning, even IN the concentration camps. That Jews view the key to success as education, formal and informal. I was taught that when you are learning, your time is never wasted. And that nothing comes easy - if it's worth having it's worth working for.

Yes. Learning is a commandment, and predates Jesus.

What that PP is saying is that because Jews are more successdul, as a whole, than the average American, there can't be antisemtitism - and it's because of the converse. If he acknowledged bigotry AND that Jews do well (again, generally speaking), it would show that failure cannot be blamed entirely on prejudice. That is at the root of antisemtitsm against Jews from blacks: they are angry and resentful that people who have suffered such persecution can, repeatedly, can overcome it.

And what's the root of racism against blacks from whites?
They are ... ... ... ...
Please, enlighten us.

This thread is not about racism against blacks. Not defending it, but we are talking about the city's seeming acceptance of blatant anti-Semitic behavior, particularly in its connection to the anti-Jew attitudes of the Nation of Islam - and how it is able to instill such bigotry against the Jewish people.

Please don't turn a discussion about DC's tolerance for anti-Jew rhetoric into a discussion about anti-black racism and its wrongs. Start a new thread.

Why not. It’s all intertwined. And stop trying to dictate what people can and cannot discuss.