DEMOCRATS DROP WOMEN'S MARCH SUPPORT

[Jose Garcia]

Source: The Jerusalem Post

The Democratic National Committee has dropped its partnership in the Women’s March over anti-Semitism concerns, the Jewish News Syndicate reported Tuesday night.

The Women’s March, slated for January 19, has come under fire in recent months due to its leaders’ handling of allegations of antisemitism, with celebrities and activists openly criticizing the organizers’ actions.

The controversy started when organizer Tamika Mallory attended a speech by, and then praised, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who has a long history of making anti-Jewish and homophobic statements. Though the organizers eventually disavowed Farrakhan’s antisemitism, many felt their response took too long and did not go far enough in denouncing him.

More recently, a report on Tablet online magazine said that Mallory and fellow organizer Carmen Perez had made antisemitic statements at two Women’s March planning meetings, claims the organizers deny

Read more: https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.jpost.com/Diaspora/Womens-March-names-3-Jewish-women-to-its-steering-committee-577446/amp

[Happyhippychick]

1. I'm so happy to hear that

They did not do enough, not act quickly enough. It was a weak response.

[Metatron]

2. Good n/t

[George II]

3. This is a good move. From what I've read, there were originally 500 organizations.....

...who were originally supporters. That is now down to about 200.

My observation is that the "Women's March" has veered off course from their initial objectives.

[Lithos]

9. I think so

It is rather strange that the top four leaders all subscribe to Louis Farrakhan's rhetoric to a rather significant and public degree. He's hardly known for his women's rights stances and for being particularly LGBQT friendly.

L-

[frazzled]

4. As well they should. Note, however, that ...

Many of the Women’s March groups in cities across the country are not affiliated with this national group, including the one in my town, Chicago Women’s March. They receive no financial or other support from the national group, have their own leadership and programs, and have soundly condemned the national group.

[demmiblue]

7. +1

[TexasBushwhacker]

5. Nation of Islam is anti-woman too

A feminist supporting NOI and Farrakhan is like a chicken supporting Colonel Sanders. They promote anti-contraception conspiracy theories which, unfortunately, less educated folks buy into. According to NOI, contraception and legal abortion are the equivalent of genocide of African Americans.

[still_one]

8. As an aside Texas, I have to say I love that expression, "it is like a chiken supporting Colonel

Sanders"

Ya made me smile

[TexasBushwhacker]

10. Wish I could say I made it up

but I just have a good memory for cute expressions.

[appalachiablue]

35. Same as #8. Great phrase I'll borrow, "chickens supporting Col. Sanders"!

[still_one]

6. One would think that Ms. Mallory would get the message, and realize for the good of the movement it

is time for her to step down.

If for nothing else she has become a distraction

[rollin74]

11. great news! Tamika Mallory is a fool for praising Farrakhan

as long as she has anything to do with Women's March, it will not have my support

Good on all the organizations, such as SPLC, who are dropping sponsorship and cutting ties with Mallory and Women's March


the DNC did the right thing here
anti-semitisim is a big problem that must not be downplayed or ignored

[IronLionZion]

12. Why do liberals always fight each other instead of against the patriarchy and Trump?

Any gathering of liberals always divides up into factions.

[pnwmom]

13. An anti-semitic group has NO PLACE in a group of liberals. nt

[rollin74]

14. 100% agreed

[IronLionZion]

21. Exactly, why would they choose anti-antisemitism instead of anti-patriarchy

or anti-conservatism or anti-poverty or anything else that liberals can agree on? Being against another group of liberals seems counterproductive to me, especially for a women's march.

[pnwmom]

23. Because one of the board members has been vocally anti-Semitic. n/t

[Mosby]

15. are you a liberal when you can't condemn antisemitism, homophobia and sexism?

Identity politics has no party.

[leftynyc]

16. I'll fight anti semites

no matter what side of the aisle they're on. And frankly, if you think the answer is to ignore it, you're no liberal.

[Behind the Aegis]

27. Me too.

Like you, also, I will fight those who make EXCUSES for anti-Semitism and defend anti-Semites!

[obamanut2012]

20. I didn't realize Louis Farrakhan is a liberal

[idahoblue]

25. I would label Farrakhan as far right

[obamanut2012]

33. I would, too

[Lunabell]

17. Farrakhan's not just antisemitic.

He and his organization are anti LGBTQ community and misogynist.

[McKim]

18. The Right Wing is Laughing

The Right Wing is laughing at women and celebrating this unfortunate turn of events.

The real shame is that women are not united. They should unite over their common concerns: lack of political power, lack of being able to frame legislation that is meaningful for women, lack of respect and attention, lack of agency in building a better country that meets the needs of families. The rest is just divisive.

[IronLionZion]

22. Exactly

when liberals fight each other, the conservatives win. Especially when there are big issues at stake where most liberals should find common agreement. It almost seems like it was ratfucked somehow.

[BigmanPigman]

45. I am always suspicious of Right Wing trouble makers too.

The March leaders are doing a disservice to the March in general and all the women and men who genuinely want to promote and support women's rights and issues. I am going to the March but wish that those who are mixing religion with liberal politics/women's rights would leave the group since they can't seem keep their religious opinions out of it. If they don't want to separate the two different issues and are trying to drag the March down with their views which are not part of the original group's concept/ideals they should bow out of it ASAP!

[frazzled]

24. Women are united on gender equality: just NOT under the guise of that particular group

And they never were: Hundreds of thousands (millions when totaled) of women have marched and spoken out—totally independent of the Women's March, Inc. group that planned the Washington, DC march. These groups are separate, and independent.

Most of the women's march groups in other cities are fighting the "national" group in court over the attempt to copyright the Women's March name. The NYC March (like those in Chicago and every other city) is independent, and rejected the DC group's attempt to participate. The DC group now has had the gall to plan a separate march of its own in Manhattan to compete with the founding NYC group!

Similar to all of the sister marches, the Women’s March on NYC has been organized independently from Women’s March, Inc., since the inception of the movement in 2016. While Women’s March, Inc., organizers were responsible for the 2017 march in Washington, D.C., and the 2018 event in Las Vegas, the hundreds of sister marches that took place were carried out by local groups within their respective cities.

https://www.amny.com/news/womens-march-nyc-1.23049125

[idahoblue]

26. We are going to DC

Our arrangements are made. If we wanted to cancel, it would cost more to than it will to go.

I have searched for the anti Semitic policies of the Women’s March. If there is a link, I would appreciate it.

I cannot find evidence that Farrakhan is involved in the March directly or indirectly. Mallory has had associations with him on some issues, but where is the evidence she is anti Semitic? The board is more than one or two people. The board does not dictate my beliefs or values and I contribute no money to them. Our local march is diverse in all areas, despite being a small community in the middle of Idaho.

Indivisible came out of the Women’s March of 2017. They were instrumental in flipping the House and many state governments. The right has a strong interest in destroying the Women’s movement by any means they can find. They are worried about 2020, causing division in the most influential movement is their game plan.

Liberals need to stop the litmus testing, taking our toys and going home if everything is not absolutely perfect. We cannot be deterred. We have a job to do. We must remain Indivisible.

We can demand certain board members stand down. We can be the watchdogs of our group. But quitting the most powerful organization we have is not how we win in 2020 and the future.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

31. Women's March Inc is not the most powerful organization we have.

It does, however, have board members who promote Farrakhan, so fuck them. Antisemites have NO place in the Democratic party.

[bonniebgood]

34. What she said.

[OilemFirchen]

36. "We can demand certain board members stand down."

Good luck with that. The board members referenced in the OP, along with Linda Sarsour (and, I believe, Bob Bland) own Women's March, Inc. and are currently attempting to trademark the name "Women's March".

It's a for-profit enterprise.

[IronLionZion]

37. This issue has divided a lot of liberal Jewish women too

https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-women-s-march-divides-progressive-jewish-women-in-united-states-1.6828695

Some have the attitude that they are not marching for any leader of the march or any group, they're marching for their granddaughters and grandmothers and for women everywhere regardless of demographics. People shouldn't lose sight of that goal.

I'm sure RWers have amplified any molehill into a mountain to try and divide liberals because they are terrified of the numbers of passionate energetic marchers for the first one in 2017 and the record number of women elected to office in 2018.

I know plenty of Jewish women and Muslim women who celebrate what they have in common and don't hate anyone.

[GulfCoast66]

39. Disagree about litmus testing.

The board is controlled by people who have expressed admiration of Farrakhan.

I have no problem rejecting an organization run by people who express admiration for a person who is misogynistic, anti-LGBT and an all around not case.

Some things are a hard No.

As powerful as the original Million Man March was, and as truly dedicated it participants were, the fact that it was a Farrakhan thing limited its effectiveness.

[obamanut2012]

19. Louis Farrakhan is also extremely anti LGBT

And women's rights.

[certainot]

28. btw, did this start with rw radio? every time a liberal of note is seen attending anything farakhan

limbaugh tells the dittoheads about hypocritical liberals

it was the same kind of stuff used to divide sanders and clinton supporters

did it go on from there?

i don't know the details, and maybe my observation is full of shit in this particular case

[Power 2 the People]

29. Definitely a big part of it.

[leftynyc]

30. Maybe liberals should stay away

from a gay hating, misogynist, anti semite. Just a thought.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

32. I mean, why would a liberal of note attend anything Farrakhan? nt

[qwlauren35]

38. Because

Farrakhan's message for African-Americans is about self-reliance, and it's something that a lot of African-Americans are hungry to hear.

Many African-Americans feel good about themselves after hearing a Farrakhan speech. He has lots of conspiracy theories, and they are definitely anti-Semitic, anti-LGBTQ, anti-abortion. But he also infuses a lot of messages of black pride.

Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam used to go into prisons with large black male populations and inspire them to educate themselves, read more, and make positive changes in their lives. Those men got out of prison and many were able to straighten out.

Farrakhan is "anti" many things. But he's anti-crime and anti-drug. His people have organized patrols to safeguard neighborhoods. He has also encouraged his people to start their own businesses, part of his self-reliance message.

When you aren't affected by the anti-Semitic, anti-LGBTQ, anti-abortion message because it doesn't fit who you are, but you ARE black, it is easy to dismiss the hate part, and attach onto the positive part because it fills a need.

I think the most important thing to realize about Farrakhan is that the black community has a lot of anti-LGBTQ, anti-Semitic, anti-abortion elements. A lot of the black community is NOT liberal. I remember meeting a black man who was strongly anti-abortion and he was holding his nose and voting for Obama because Obama was black.

The marriage of the liberal arm and black arm of the Democratic party is a tenuous one. A lot of black people may not declare themselves as pro-life, but actions speak louder than words. Most LGBTQ people of color have been disowned, and many are still in the closet because of the level of homophobia in our communities. And the deep Christian roots that black people have make it easy for them to ignore anti-Semitism, especially when the black and Jewish communities have had tensions for years.

I actually think it's funny how people who are not black have such an easy time expecting people who are black to turn on one of their own. The question becomes, are you black or are you liberal. For someone who is black and liberal, it's a no-brainer and they disavow Farrakhan with ease. But for the black people in the Democratic party who are not liberal, and there are many, Farrakhan is a familiar friend who knows how to make them feel good about themselves.

There are always going to be black Democrats who love Farrakhan. Because they are NOT liberal. Just be glad that they vote for Democrats, and appreciate their role in the party. Trying to change them could lead them to become Republicans.

[GulfCoast66]

40. What an excellent post.

As a white, upper middle class, very southern white male, I detest Farrakhan’s message. But I realize the lens I see him through... as a white, upper middle class, very southern male.

I know what you mean about the African American community in the South and how socially conservative they can be.

I have often commented that if the republicans could truly ever give up all vestiges of racism and support policies that helped uplift African Americans we would lose some of them over the social positions. Because of necessity the church is very powerful in the life of southern blacks. It was and is a place of refuge.

But then they would not be modern republicans and would lose their entire white base.

I may not agree with you on all issues , but this was a well thought out post.

[qwlauren35]

41. Thank you.

I remember going to a Farrakhan rally when I was in my early twenties. The man was riveting, charismatic, spellbinding. I ate up everything he had to say, and then just spit out the parts that I didn't like.

I have recently had the opportunity to talk to some Jewish people on DU and explored exactly what it is that makes Farrakhan's anti-Semitic message so problematic. It's not just the name calling. It's the conspiracy theories. He feeds the belief that Jewish people are "in control" when they are not. And he makes them a target of anger and hostility, in some ways like "the Man". And then instead of hating the system of oppression, the hatred turns toward a group of innocent people. A few of whom happen to have a lot of money, a few of whom have influence in various industries, but most of whom are just ordinary people.

As a result, there are people in the black community who go looking for anecdotal evidence that Farrakhan is right, and if they meet a Jewish person who has a business, then they make assumptions. Or if they hear about a Jewish billionaire, they make assumptions. And the assumptions are negative, and they move people to excuse bad behavior. So while most black people would not do anything violent toward Jewish people, they are not quick enough to condemn it.

I truly recognize the fact that if you're going to call yourself a liberal, you have to condemn Farrakhan for the negative aspects of his message, even though the positive aspects help the community. I call myself a liberal. And I am saddened by the fact that Farrakhan can't dump the negative and stick with the positive. So, the personal decision that I have made is to point out that he IS anti-Semitic, that he IS anti-LGBTQ, that he is anti-abortion, and if he's going to make the personal decision to include such negativity in his rhetoric, then he has to be called on it, and condemned for it. He can do better.

[GulfCoast66]

42. Then maybe we don't disagree. I might have read more into you post than intended

But as a liberal white southern male with deep ties to the rural south, I know the attraction of fundamentalist religion is as strong in the Black community as the white. In small towns it is often the only tie that binds and keeps the peace. Well, besides the food, hunting and fishing!

But when the AME Churches ruled the day their stong message of redemption on earth as in heaven was powerful as was their history of opposing oppression. But as more southern blacks join the Pentecostal movement Democrats can’t take them for granted. Cause those churches are open to all.

As we know, religion, more than any other thing can get a person to vote against their self interest. It does it in my White Rural relatives.

Full disclosure. After growing up evangelical I am now a believer in science.

Have you read C. Vann Woodward’s ‘the Burden of Southern History’? It was a popular book at the time that totally underestimated the depth of racism in the South was was influencial in the mid-last century. He spelled out all southern whites and blacks had in common and postulated a harmonious future. He lived to see his folly.

Thanks for the dialogue.

And have a nice evening.

[qwlauren35]

43. I will look up the book.

Good night to you as well.

[certainot]

44. those are some of the real reasons why limbaugh has led racist rw radio attacks on farrakhan

for 30 years, with regular racist skits with farrakhan-sounding voice imitatiors reminding the white audience of the threat of black american muslims voting more than once, robbing liquor stores, etc

[Locrian]

49. great post

I think this needs to be understood by everyone and not dismissed as right/wrong.

When people with little or no power are ignored by the main system - they will turn to (pretty much) any system that offers them hope / strength. This goes for trump too (although I am certainly not equating Farrakhan with trump etc).

If we as liberals fail to recognize the "systems" at work - we're as blind as the others.

[Takket]

46. Very sad

The March was one of the initial sparks of the Resistance. It is sad the DNC was forced to do this. The March is a wonderful thing and I hope it does not fail because a few fools at the top did not know when to step down.

I hope they do and return the March to the people and the DNC can rejoin them.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

47. Always gotta ask nowadays - where is this stuff coming from? Who benefits from divisions between

us? All I know is the only other place I heard about this was on another forum, posted by a far right winger who took great delight in "proving" how anti-Semitic and evil the whole women's movement supposedly is.

[Raine]

48. Good! nt