Women's March Leaders Have An Anti-Semitism Problem. Maybe Its Time To Leave Them Behind

[grossproffit]

Last week, current Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan—a well-known anti-Semite—gave a speech where he said “the powerful Jews are my enemy” and that he had “pulled the cover off of that Satanic Jew and I'm here to say your time is up, your world is through.” Other previous Farrakhan highlights include saying the Jews were behind 9/11 and calling Adolf Hitler a “very great man.”

That alone is a story. But it doesn’t end there.

Soon after the speech, news broke that Women’s March leader Tamika Mallory was in attendance; she even received a shout out from Farrakhan during his address and posted about the event on social media. Meanwhile, Women’s March leader Linda Sarsour has collaborated with the Nation of Islam in the past, and Carmen Perez defended Farrakhan in the past, telling Amelia Harnish in January that there are “no perfect leaders” and that people need to understand Farrakhan’s contributions to Black and Brown circles.

Understandably, the Jewish community — particularly people who have supported the Women’s March and other social justice causes — wanted answers. We also wanted something that most thought would be pretty simple for a bunch of women who spend their days parading around their intersectionality: We wanted them to denounce anti-Semitism and the words Farrakhan said against Jews. This isn’t a new thing; after all, we ask public figures to denounce awful people and hate speech all the time.

To say we didn’t get that is an understatement. Instead, we got Tamika Mallory posting a bizarre series of tweets calling valid criticisms “bullying” and refusing to apologize for her support of Farrakhan and her lack of denouncement regarding his words. Linda Sarsour suddenly decided that she was very cool with silence and just retweeted one of Mallory’s tweets, as did Bob Bland. Carmen Perez took it one step further, quote-tweeting Mallory and saying something about the national organizers’ “lifetime commitment to liberation.” Missing from that? A condemnation of Farrakhan.

At this point, here’s what I’ve got to say to all of them: You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.

https://www.refinery29.com/2018/03/192463/anti-semitism-womens-march-jewish-community-reaction-essay

[Wwcd]

1. This has got to be bizarre week. Folks are revealing themselves, shedding their sheep's clothing

There has always been something askew with Sarsour & Mallory.
Could never put my finger in what it was.
Until this.

Appreciate the post. Thanks

SNIP
"But now, in part because of the work the Women’s March leaders (and, um, lots of other people who also happen to not be anti-Semitic) did, we each have our own guiding principles now.

We don’t need a group to tell us how to feel or gaslight us so that we fall in line when there’s obvious injustice and blatant hypocrisy.

The march was never about these four women to begin with.
We don’t need the national organizers of Women’s March.

What we need is for women—and everyone, for that matter—to march toward a better tomorrow with us.

And regardless of what the Women’s March leaders say (and don’t say) about us, I hope folks who are marginalized in this country know this:
I, and so many other Jews, will always march with you, too.

[nycbos]

2. This needs more visibility.

I am disappointed on the lack of attention.

[Wwcd]

3. K & R a million times....

This is for ALL who march. Not just a preferred group, sought out for a specific purpose.

This has been a day of truth & revelations.
About time the light shines.

[EllieBC]

4. K&R. Is this in GD??

[grossproffit]

6. It is now. Link inside.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210324147

[EllieBC]

7. I want that one to stay kicked.

They issued a weak pseudo apology today but it's pure bullshit.

https://m.facebook.com/womensmarchonwash/photos/a.1361065283906747.1073741828.1338822066131069/1848802935132977/?type=3&source=48

[Behind the Aegis]

8. It is bullshit. A total non-apology apology!

Looks like they are getting called on it too! GOOD!

[EllieBC]

9. There's an apologist on the thread.

Playing the "who do we have to disown to be acceptable" violin.

Just the homophobic and transphobic antisemite, thanks.

[Mosby]

10. just kicked it nt

[MosheFeingold]

5. Sarsour is despicable

She's openly antisemitic. And gets a pass.

Now we have DNC leaders embracing Farrakhan and saying there is more at stake than "the Jewish Question."

Google "the Jewish Question" for a bit of history. I'll give you a hint: it was Hitler's question and he had a final solution.

This is BS and these people have no business I the Democratic Party or progressive movement.