In 1971, sometime near my ninth birthday, I was approached on Madison Avenue between 74th and 75th street by a white man raising money for the defense of Angela Davis.
Perhaps there is a way to distinguish opposition from hatred. I don't hate America because I passionately oppose the war in Iran. I don't hate Israel either because I passionately oppose the war in Gaza.
I have my own questions about Baldwin. Still, they are questions I need to answer, not him. I have never been a black man growing up in the U.S. I have never been a Jew growing up in the West Bank. I "question" what my positions might be if I didn't occupy a privileged white, Christian, male, heterosexual place.
"So if Baldwin failed, I will not credit the current crop of Israel haters with avoiding antisemitism. I’m convinced that one hate follows the other as day follows night."
So true, and such a problem. Jew here, living in Dachau, Germany, of all places. With lots of family and friends in Israel, with a nephew as well as more distant friends currently in the reserves. Am so _not_ a fan of Netanyahu and (but?) have to hold two truths in my mind at the same time: My identity as a proud Jew and with the Jewish religion and my love for the people and Medinat Israel (State of Israel) _AND_ my stomachache with the violence that goes on daily in the West Bank and Gaza. At present, however, there have been so many missiles raining down on Israel I'm just sick. Not conflicted, just sick, despondent. My sister in Israel writes about their wonderful desert paradise in a gallows humor mode. And I have so many Iranian friends here who are desparate for regime change.
Sorry if this doesn't make a lot of sense; nothing makes much sense right now.
Empowering hate speech has been a hallmark of our Mayor, and his wife, who seem adept at social media cues as Baldwin was with words. Already warned by rating agencies, the Mayor best to focus on numeracy and finding cash than his sire’s colonialist cover for antisemism.
Sentence for sentence, Baldwin is the best. I really, really don’t want him to be an anti-semite, but this brave, necessary piece leaves no doubt in my mind.
Perhaps there is a way to distinguish opposition from hatred. I don't hate America because I passionately oppose the war in Iran. I don't hate Israel either because I passionately oppose the war in Gaza.
I have my own questions about Baldwin. Still, they are questions I need to answer, not him. I have never been a black man growing up in the U.S. I have never been a Jew growing up in the West Bank. I "question" what my positions might be if I didn't occupy a privileged white, Christian, male, heterosexual place.
“Even” a privileged white, Christian, FEMALE, heterosexual place begs the question, Jonathan.
"So if Baldwin failed, I will not credit the current crop of Israel haters with avoiding antisemitism. I’m convinced that one hate follows the other as day follows night."
So true, and such a problem. Jew here, living in Dachau, Germany, of all places. With lots of family and friends in Israel, with a nephew as well as more distant friends currently in the reserves. Am so _not_ a fan of Netanyahu and (but?) have to hold two truths in my mind at the same time: My identity as a proud Jew and with the Jewish religion and my love for the people and Medinat Israel (State of Israel) _AND_ my stomachache with the violence that goes on daily in the West Bank and Gaza. At present, however, there have been so many missiles raining down on Israel I'm just sick. Not conflicted, just sick, despondent. My sister in Israel writes about their wonderful desert paradise in a gallows humor mode. And I have so many Iranian friends here who are desparate for regime change.
Sorry if this doesn't make a lot of sense; nothing makes much sense right now.
This one really made me think. Thanks.
Empowering hate speech has been a hallmark of our Mayor, and his wife, who seem adept at social media cues as Baldwin was with words. Already warned by rating agencies, the Mayor best to focus on numeracy and finding cash than his sire’s colonialist cover for antisemism.
Really? Provide some proof please for those of us not familiar with that subject.
Sentence for sentence, Baldwin is the best. I really, really don’t want him to be an anti-semite, but this brave, necessary piece leaves no doubt in my mind.
Thanks for writing this. Very enlightening.
Thank you for this essay, David, and your courage and candor!!!