Behind the Aegis
Behind the Aegis's JournalGlobal Anti-Semitism and the Erosion of Shame
Some of my worst fears about a resurgence of anti-Semitism around the world seem to be coming true. I have been talking for some time about the unique dynamic of anti-Semitism as a phenomenon and the changing world environment, which together are likely to cause a resurgence of anti-Semitism going forward.
Anti-Semitism has characteristics like other forms of bigotry in terms of stereotyping, alienation from the other, and discrimination.
But what makes it different, and which goes a long way to explain anomalous things about anti-Semitism -- how long it has lasted, how it pops up in different places, the concept of anti-Semitism without Jews, the contradictory accusations against Jews, etc. -- is the core of the anti-Semitic idea: that Jews are not what they seem to be. The real Jew, according to the anti-Semite, is a hidden conspiratorialist, all-powerful and evil.
So any time there is a crisis in society, the Jew can be seized upon and blamed as the secret cause of society's suffering. And, of course, over the last decade the world has experienced a series of crises.
Islamic terror beginning with 9/11, the financial collapse of 2008, the multitude of economic and social crises in Europe and the Arab Spring's expectations and disappointments top the list. All these anxiety-provoking developments contributed to the growth of anti-Semitism.
But other factors play a role and are increasingly worrisome. There is the erosion of shame about anti-Semitism as the Holocaust becomes more remote in time and as survivors pass away. The too-easy analogizing of every bad thing that happens today to the Holocaust, which the Anti-Defamation League condemns whenever it surfaces, is just one manifestation of the loss of impact on attitudes that the Holocaust formerly had.
more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/abraham-h-foxman/global-anti-semitism-and_b_4769804.html
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And as proof, and for shits and giggles:
Why anti-Semitism is an outdated pretext
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/02/17/351091/why-antisemitism-is-an-outdated-pretext/
Do be sure to read the comments and the "related" stories!
Irish Drag Queen's Powerful Takedown of Homophobia
For the last three weeks, I have been lectured to by heterosexual people about what homophobia is and about who is allowed to identify it. Straight people have lined up... to tell me what homophobia is and to tell me what I am allowed to be oppressed by, Bliss told the audience at the Abbey. People who have never experienced homophobia in their lives... have told me that unless I am being thrown into prison or herded onto a cattle truck then it is not homophobia. And that feels oppressive.
Though Blisss speech clocks in at nearly 11 minutes, its worth watching in full as she outlines the oppression of heterosexual privilege.
http://www.advocate.com/society/activism/2014/02/04/watch-irish-drag-queens-powerful-takedown-homophobia
For a longer version of the above excerpt, without having to watch the entire video (which I do suggest), go to mark 7:23 - 9:01.
William769
Combatting homophobia is not heterophobic!
And just because, from Russia with 'love?'
See tomm2thumbs's article in "Video & Multimedia" or 7962's article in LBN.
Today, January 27th, is the International Holocaust Memorial Day for 2014
This day was chosen by the United Nations General Assembly resolution in a 60/7 vote in 2005 because it commemorates the liberation of one of the most notorious concentration camps, Auschwitz-Birkenau. It has been almost 70 years and debate about the ramifications of the Holocaust continues. Discussions revolve around the use of the Holocaust and how appropriate (or not) it is. Just recently, one asshole, Tom Perkins decided taxation on the rich was the equivalent of Kristallnacht. It popped up all over the place with remarks about how disgusting the comparison is (and in some cases, how dead on it was). It was interesting, in my view, to see reactions to his remarks.
e.g.
This persecution of the Jews is what the National Socialist Workers Party (AKA Nazis) did in Germany. I see the Socialists in this country are starting to do the same thing. Instead of just vilifying Jews, the Socialists in this country have decided to go after the so-called "rich." It is a shame that man does not learn from history, and we have to live under the oppression of yet another failed attempt at Socialism. Only the truly stupid still support Obama in his quest to make us all equally poor and miserable.
There are those who mock the Holocaust, referring to it as the "Holohoax" or the "Holoco$t." Some complain the Holocaust focuses too much on the Jews. Many, however, tend to downplay the effects of the Holocaust on the Jewish people and Europe. Others go as far to deny it even happened! Yes, some deny more than 6 million Jews and almost 6 million (or more) others simply weren't the victims of an outrageous policy to "cleanse" Germany and Europe of 'undesirables.' Then, there are those people who acknowledge the Holocaust and "mourn" the fact it wasn't more complete.
e.g.
Hmm.....why did Nazis did what they did with Jews????????
I think for every action there is a reaction.
Hitler was growing up witnessing how Germans were poor but Jews lived in prosperity.
They owned businesses, gold stores and etc....just like in America today.
Half a million Jews in Germany compared to 60 million Germans and this people were at the top.
I don't approve mass murdering, torture and deportation but that was a REACTION caused by Actions ofJews in Germany.
The question is when will American Sheeple wake up and free his country from this ancient blood suckers.
However, I also believe it is important on this day to remember, not just those lost, or the horrific magnitude of the situation, but to also remember those who put their own lives on the line to save others, and, in some cases, lost their own lives. People like Italians Giorgio Perlasca and Giovanni Palatucci, Tunisian Khaled Abdul-Wahab, British Nicholas Winton, Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara, Iranian diplomat Abdol Hossein Sardari, Polish Irena Sendler, Dutch Corrie ten Boom, and so many more, including the people of Denmark. There are many of whom we will never know of their bravery.
Today, remember the entirety of the Holocaust.
(the above examples were comments from Holocaust survivor describes life in Nazi concentration camps which I also posted here at DU.
On Google -- Dian Fossey
Dian Fossey (/daɪˈæn ˈfɒsi/; January 16, 1932 c. December 26, 1985) was an American zoologist who undertook an extensive study of gorilla groups over a period of 18 years. She studied them daily in the mountain forests of Rwanda, initially encouraged to work there by famous anthropologist Louis Leakey. Her 1983 book, Gorillas in the Mist, combines her scientific study of the mountain gorilla at Karisoke Research Center with her own personal story. Fossey was murdered in 1985; the case remains open.[1]I remember reading her studies and articles when I was younger, and then reading about her horrible murder. I was so sad.
Holocaust History, as Told by a Survivor
EMSDETTEN, Germany LASZLO SCHWARTZ never had a proper adolescence. The Nazis made sure of that.
He was 14 when he and his family disembarked from a cold boxcar onto the selection ramp at Auschwitz, and he says he still remembers the feel of Josef Mengeles wide leather gloves pinching his scrawny biceps.
As the sadistic concentration camp physician known as the Angel of Death sized up the teenage Laszlo, ordering him to line up with the other children, a sinister flame rose in the distance, he said.
I knew what they were doing, but I didnt want to believe it, Mr. Schwartz recently told a class of 50 high school students in this small town in western Germany. My turn came for Mengele, and he asked me to make a muscle. He asked how old I am. I said 17. It didnt help.
At 83, Mr. Schwartz splits his time between Germany and New York City, where he emigrated in 1946. Since July 2010, he has spoken at more than 80 schools around Germany about the kidnappings, starvation and torture he endured during the war and how the last time he ever saw his mother and sister was the day he met Mengele.
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