THE DOUBLE BIND OF THE PERFECT PREJUDICE™

5 min read

Just now

ANTISEMITISM IS DIFFERENT. UNTIL WE ADMIT THIS, WE WILL NOT GET FAR IN CHALLENGING IT.

Here you have it: The tidy (and blatantly racist) theory that allows antiracists to be antisemites.

Last night, I attended Vancouver’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration. Jewish community officials and political leaders spoke incredibly movingly.

The lessons of the past, almost everyone said, must be applied to current events. We must learn that deeds begin with words, for better and for worse. Inflammatory words can lead to violence. But healing words can help ensure that Never Again are two words that ensure a better future.

I think it is going to take more than healing words and appreciating the lessons of the past to confront the crisis we face today.

Antisemitism is not like other prejudices. It will not be successfully challenged using the same tactics we employ to fight other racisms.

That last paragraph is Example A.

By even acknowledging that antisemitism is different, critics will insist, is to “prove” the “Jewish exceptionalism” that provokes antisemitism.

Scroll to the comments after any online story about Jews, Israel or antisemitism and it won’t take long for someone to invoke the word “Chosen.” This idea — Jews as the chosen people — drives bigots batty. Invariably, the people who are bugged by it…