Perspective: Want to combat hate? Stop the hazing of Ilhan Omar and start listening.
Rep. Ilhan Omar . By Wajahat Ali and Rabia Chaudry March 6 at 6:00 AM The firestorm around Rep. Ilhan Omar’s recent tweets about the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and criticism of Israel has drawn attention to what language rises to the level of anti-Semitism, the shameful double standards for Muslims and people of color, and how anti-Semitism is often hypocritically used as a political bludgeon.
Despite the clear double standards being employed against Omar, most certainly because of her religion, one thing is certain: Different communities hear words differently and we all need to listen, engage and communicate with one another to understand why. We are now trudging forward on an uncomfortable uphill, but necessary, journey through this minefield through our own recent history of engagement with Jewish Americans and Israelis.
We participated with the hope and prayer that we could have a meaningful, honest and blunt relationship with some Zionist Jewish communities who wouldn’t make us agree to narrow litmus tests, stringent audits and absolutist talking points. Maybe we could initiate a relationship based on respectful listening without preconditions.
At the center was that word: Zionist. Many American Muslim communities’ line on Jewish engagement has always been, “We are not anti-Semitic, we are anti-Zionist.” What it meant to be a Zionist was never deeply interrogated; rather, some Muslim and pro-Palestinian activists themselves defined what Zionism was and is without ever actually engaging Zionists.
We also recognize that we often hurt each other’s communities without meaning to by falling into anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim tropes, relying on messengers hurtful to the other community, and failing to deeply examine each other’s histories and narratives. Recently, Wajahat Ali was invited to Poland with multifaith and multiethnic activists and leaders to discuss the rise of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and white supremacy and how to combat it in America. We saw firsthand how dehumanizing language slowly but surely paved the way to the Auschwitz gas chambers. Our tour guide told him, “It always begins with words.” For those paying attention to the Trump presidency and his comments about immigrants and refugees, this should raise alarms.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Democrat warns further anti-Semitic tropes by Ilhan Omar could lead to committee removal“She obviously has to come to grips with the fact that when you are here, you’re on a broader stage and things you say resonate far beyond your local community,' Democrat Gerry Connolly said of his colleague Ilhan Omar.
Leer más »
House Dems agonize over Ilhan OmarNancy Pelosi and top Democrats are confronting a new controversy this week involving freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has defied her colleagues’ calls to apologize for recent comments viewed as anti-Semitic
Leer más »
House Dems will vote on a resolution in response to Ilhan Omar’s Israel commentsBREAKING: House Democratic leaders will put a resolution on the floor Wednesday in response to controversial remarks about Israel from Rep. Ilhan Omar
Leer más »
House Democrats to call for vote on condemning 'anti-Semitic' Ilhan Omar commentsOmar suggested that the pro-Israel lobby pushes lawmakers to show 'allegiance to a foreign country' and said the charge of anti-Semitism is 'designed to end the debate' about Israel's treatment of Palestinians.
Leer más »
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticizes Democratic lawmaker amid Ilhan Omar Israel controversyHistory shows that making some questions 'unacceptable' is a mistake, Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter.
Leer más »
Alexandria-Ocasio Cortez defends Ilhan Omar, asks where resolutions are condemning homophobia, racism and xenophobiaOmar, a freshman congresswoman, has been feuding with fellow Democrats over their support of Israel and her alleged anti-Semitic comments.
Leer más »
Analysis | Democrats’ criticism of Ilhan Omar suggests little room for diversity on IsraelAnalysis: Democrats’ criticism of Ilhan Omar suggests little room for diversity on Israel
Leer más »
Ocasio-Cortez defends Ilhan Omar ahead of vote on resolution to condemn anti-SemitismIn a series of tweets, Ocasio-Cortez accused lawmakers criticizing Omar of being inconsistent: 'where are the resolutions against homophobic statements? For anti-blackness? For xenophobia?'
Leer más »