I’m not nearly as adept as you in using my words (your writing is beautiful and powerful), but I am with you completely in my need to speak out. I made a conscious decision in 2016 (the morning after the election) that I was no longer going to be silent. It really grates some people, but that’s their issue not mine. I sleep much better when I stand up for what I know is right than I do when I hold my tongue.
"It was the dark side of the emperor’s clothes. Many secretly resented that person all along but were too afraid to say so. When one person finally flipped that switch and it became safe to follow, it suddenly emerged that countless people hated them all along." So true.
This quote describes precisely what happened after October 7. This is what we are experiencing now.
The minute that Israel was exposed and revealed a weakness in its armor, all these anti-Semitic termites swarmed out of the woodwork, no longer embarrassed to make their hate public. It was like they were harboring their antisemitism and resentment towards Israel and Jews, too afraid to come right out and say it, and then October 7 happened and they perceived that their antisemitism enjoyed some legitimacy - and the floodgates burst open. And now it is beyond control. And yeah, they were anti-Semites all along.
Aviva Klompas gave a talk in western MA last week. Look her up. She is unapologetic as a Jew who decries antisemitism and who defends Israel's right to exist and thrive. Elissa, just when we think we've seen the worst, nope, it gets worse. These assholes--including Butler and Gessen who have also betrayed feminists after benefitting from feminism--should always be called out.
They can call it "justice" all they want. It is pure evil. I will never be silent, Elissa, any more than you will. On a related note, my May op/ed column goes online tomorrow and in print on Wednesday. It is entitled "Joy and Heritage." I make note of Jewish American Heritage Month and understanding that some Jews choose to be safe first while others are saying let's stand tall. And I pay homage to Henrietta Szold.
As I was composing the column, I unexpectedly came out regarding my conversion process. The timing seemed right. I referred to lesbians and gay men in my generation and older who had to make the choice between safety and working to generate compassion and respect. I called on readers to step up for Jews as they have for others.
No doubt I will get hateful responses. We are in a moment where love and light are condemned while darkness is celebrated. This is all the more reason to bring more light into the world.
Well, I'm glad I never read the Vietnamese guy's novel. Now I never will. And I thought the Dems let Al Franken be pilloried for no good reason and still feel angry about it.
The first half of his book is good. After that, if I wanted to read a sex book I'd choose it. Well done for not judging the book by the author. But to the point of your post, I can't imagine what he thinks he would write if his favorite little heroes ruled the world. Thanks for your courage, Elissa. The world is a very scary place.
I boycott all novelists who're antisemitic or anti-Israel - including the novel "James," and some others. I returned my copy of J.D Vance's book to his office after I realized what he believed...it's something I can do to fight back - it's not much but something...
Thank you for your courage!!
I so appreciate your column.
I appreciate this so much.
I’m not nearly as adept as you in using my words (your writing is beautiful and powerful), but I am with you completely in my need to speak out. I made a conscious decision in 2016 (the morning after the election) that I was no longer going to be silent. It really grates some people, but that’s their issue not mine. I sleep much better when I stand up for what I know is right than I do when I hold my tongue.
"It was the dark side of the emperor’s clothes. Many secretly resented that person all along but were too afraid to say so. When one person finally flipped that switch and it became safe to follow, it suddenly emerged that countless people hated them all along." So true.
This quote describes precisely what happened after October 7. This is what we are experiencing now.
The minute that Israel was exposed and revealed a weakness in its armor, all these anti-Semitic termites swarmed out of the woodwork, no longer embarrassed to make their hate public. It was like they were harboring their antisemitism and resentment towards Israel and Jews, too afraid to come right out and say it, and then October 7 happened and they perceived that their antisemitism enjoyed some legitimacy - and the floodgates burst open. And now it is beyond control. And yeah, they were anti-Semites all along.
Aviva Klompas gave a talk in western MA last week. Look her up. She is unapologetic as a Jew who decries antisemitism and who defends Israel's right to exist and thrive. Elissa, just when we think we've seen the worst, nope, it gets worse. These assholes--including Butler and Gessen who have also betrayed feminists after benefitting from feminism--should always be called out.
They can call it "justice" all they want. It is pure evil. I will never be silent, Elissa, any more than you will. On a related note, my May op/ed column goes online tomorrow and in print on Wednesday. It is entitled "Joy and Heritage." I make note of Jewish American Heritage Month and understanding that some Jews choose to be safe first while others are saying let's stand tall. And I pay homage to Henrietta Szold.
As I was composing the column, I unexpectedly came out regarding my conversion process. The timing seemed right. I referred to lesbians and gay men in my generation and older who had to make the choice between safety and working to generate compassion and respect. I called on readers to step up for Jews as they have for others.
No doubt I will get hateful responses. We are in a moment where love and light are condemned while darkness is celebrated. This is all the more reason to bring more light into the world.
The Jew haters are shameless these days. They can’t go lower. They live in a cesspool of Jew hatred. Thank you for your courage
Brava, as ever, Elissa!
Thank you for this. You’ll have to let us know of any additional feedback on your Nguyen comment!
Well, I'm glad I never read the Vietnamese guy's novel. Now I never will. And I thought the Dems let Al Franken be pilloried for no good reason and still feel angry about it.
Nguyen's novel is very fine, but that doesn't make his indifference (at best) to Jewish safety okay.
The first half of his book is good. After that, if I wanted to read a sex book I'd choose it. Well done for not judging the book by the author. But to the point of your post, I can't imagine what he thinks he would write if his favorite little heroes ruled the world. Thanks for your courage, Elissa. The world is a very scary place.
I boycott all novelists who're antisemitic or anti-Israel - including the novel "James," and some others. I returned my copy of J.D Vance's book to his office after I realized what he believed...it's something I can do to fight back - it's not much but something...
I don't always. I read a range of perspectives. There are Palestinian poets I really like even if they hate Israel.