Dana Reisboard Ph.D’s Post

In my latest commentary, I discuss the current rise in antisemitism and its foundation in the conspiracy mentality. https://lnkd.in/gpzS-G5p

The always brilliant Shereen Daniels 🇬🇧🇯🇲🇬🇾 has perfectly expressed something I'm seeing come out of the sanitised bullshit corporate statements of don't-even-try-to-call-it-solidarity. Shereen calls this "conditional humanity." And it is excruciatingly in evidence right now. As Shereen explains, conditional humanity looks like: "Picking a side (singular) rather than choosing positions (plural). Picking a side does not allow for the existence of multiple truths. Language used will be combative or conversely very vanilla to avoid upsetting dominant groups or voices. It will invariably lead to prioritising one community over another because to do anything different is to show disloyalty or cause reputational risk. Rushing to declare solidarity with one group without recognising the complexity in feelings and emotions that many colleagues and communities will be faced with. Without care, this can inadvertently feed into Islamophobia, antisemitism and anti-Black racism. Labelling some conversations as being “political” therefore censoring or silencing of some voices of colleagues who are most impacted. Engaging in oppression olympics by comparing your response to one situation to your response (or lack of) to another, seeking to justify that through aligning with a dominant narrative, business interests and/or the myth of neutrality. Centering the loudest and most influential voices. Assuming what your employees need and want so you can dictate what support you feel comfortable to give." I've talked about this in relation to language: https://lnkd.in/dEk3ud5c And Shereen shows how this aggressively palatable approach to not-actually-solidarity can harm everyone. Shereen's perspective reminds me so much of what MLK said about the white moderate, who values a "peace" that is simply the absence of justice. In which violence is less visible and less immediate, for dominant groups. Yet it rages on. "Conditional humanity" erodes our humanity. All of our humanity. Every single one of us.

From Jonathan Tobin of the JNS: "Many Jews believed they could always count on enlightened liberal opinion in this country not only to condemn expressions of right-wing Jew-hatred in the strongest terms but to also isolate it. Instead, they have watched with amazement and concern as the mobs engaging in antisemitic invective have been defended or rationalized in mainstream liberal media like The New York Times and MSNBC as idealists or, at worst, emotional kids whose actions are an understandable reaction to Israeli atrocities. In doing so, those who are taking this line aren’t just repeating and spreading Hamas propaganda and blatant falsehoods. They are accepting the premise that opposition to the existence of the one Jewish state on the planet is somehow the natural political position of those who call themselves progressives." Those who remain seduced by "progressivism" need to wake up before it's too late. The overt Jew-hatred remains tolerated if not acceptable among the wider left.

A must-read as we combat woke racism: “Today’s antisemitism is difficult to recognize because it does not come dressed in a N**i uniform and it does not openly proclaim its hatred or fear of Jews. This book looks at the kind of antisemitism which is tolerated or which goes unacknowledged in apparently democratic spaces: trade unions, churches, left-wing and liberal politics, social gatherings of the chattering classes and the seminars and journals of radical intellectuals. It analyses how criticism of Israel can mushroom into antisemitism and it looks at struggles over how antisemitism is defined. It focuses on ways in which those who raise the issue of antisemitism are often accused of doing so in bad faith in an attempt to silence or smear. Hostility to Israel has become a signifier of identity, connected to opposition to imperialism, neo-liberalism and global capitalism; the ‘community of the good’ takes on toxic ways of imagining most living Jewish people.”

The benefits of a more conscious co-design can greatly affect us all and at this moment we can decide to do a deeper work and authentically see ourselves reflected in what we create. For example, Are we aware of the state in which we are, when we are co-creating, and that of our colleagues, partners, or stakeholders in a project? Are we conscious of the core dimensions in which we move, activating states and ways of being in ourselves, the others and the systems we are part of? The more we are unconsciously involved, the more unconscious creations we continue to manifest, leading to the suffering we feel and, therefore, the Society as a whole. We won't get out of the chaos by analyzing and thinking in the same unconscious way. To address this, understanding our deep unconscious biased states and patterns, assessing and adapting from a deep intelligence is possible. It requires working from the bottom up, engaging with our whole body and mind, and relearning how to listen and apply it to real-life projects. This model can contribute to a more conscious co-design process. You can read more at https://lnkd.in/e73-DKii #conscious #embodied #systemic #codesign #designbybeing

This was an insightful discussion. Michal presents a brilliant description of the current anti-semitism.

Why I am going for a walk this Sunday March Against Antisemitism, 26 November, 13:30, Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London   I am not sure we fully understand the seeds and causes of antisemitism and other forms of racism -- in-group or tribal identity and pride, ignorance, indifference, peer pressure, fear, insecurity, envy, religious extremism, disgust, trauma, hate?    But history has shown us the pathways that follow from what starts as seemingly harmless beliefs against a race, ethnic, gender, religious or any “other” group.   Apathy and silence; exclusion; discrimination; hate speech; segregation and ghettoization; verbal taunts and threats; emotional and physical harassment; “no go” zones; violence; lynching; fire bombings of or assault gun attacks on churches, mosques, synagogues or gay bars; pogroms and massacres; war.   And as Martin Niemoller reminds us, it rarely ends with one “other” group.   Let’s try to nip in the bud the growing antisemitism in the United Kingdom.   The objective of this march is not “pro-Israel” or “anti-Palestinian”, it is to raise public awareness of rising antisemitism.   Perhaps you might consider joining us?   For further information or to register on eventbrite (not necessary): https://lnkd.in/ebyuquGF.

INDENTITY-BASED BLOODLUST: FROM ACADEMIC ABSTRACTION TO THE STREETS Article: "In the wake of a murderous rampage, there are three possible reactions: look with horror, look away, or look with approval. The third option might seem relegated to the mentally unfit or the sociopathic, but, as with mental illness itself, 'woke' people have made it mainstream." "How do you know whether a murderous rampage is to be condemned or lauded? For the 'woke,' what is permissible is based not on principle but on identity. Anything then can be justified, depending on who is doing it." "Recent polling of registered voters suggests that, without serious intervention, it will get worse. Close to half (48%) of 25- to 34-year-olds believe the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks that brutally targeted 1,400 innocent civilians in Israel can be justified by Palestinian grievance. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, it’s the majority at 51%." "This is not merely a matter of a blind spot that anyone might be prone to develop in a hyperpolarized context. Heated political disagreements are nothing new in most of our lives. Prioritizing politics over principles is not new, either. Mainstreaming a nihilistic movement that lionizes identity-based bloodlust is. It is a bloodlust that moved patiently, then abruptly, from academic abstraction into the streets."

I understand that you are deeply concerned about the recent Hamas attack on Israelis and the subsequent events that have unfolded. It is indeed a tragedy that has caused immense pain and suffering to many people. However, I would like to remind you that it is important to be mindful of the language we use when discussing such sensitive topics. Using inflammatory language or making sweeping generalizations can be counterproductive and may further fuel tensions. It is true that the conflict between Israel and Palestine is complex and multifaceted, and there are many different perspectives and opinions on the matter. However, it is important to remember that every human life is valuable and that violence and hatred only beget more violence and hatred. I would encourage you to seek out reliable sources of information and to engage in respectful and constructive dialogue with others who may have different views. It is only through open and honest communication that we can hope to find a path forward that is just and equitable for all.