General Discussion

Warren DeMontague

(80,708 posts)

15. in answer to your first point, words and phrases mean what they mean.

Mon Feb 20, 2017, 05:44 PM

Feb 2017

That's how language works.

Anti-Semitism is, for all intents and purposes, linguistically accepted universally as meaning "Anti-Judaism", so I'm not really sure why the usage bothers you. Yes, the meaning of Semite is different and the etymology is interesting, but again.. fighting with language as it sits in peoples' collective brains and is used in the real world is like arguing with the tides.

As for your second point, one has to accept assertion #1 to move on to assertion #2. I suspect most would believe it is possible for AA to be bigoted against White People, they would take issue with the use of the word "racism"- not the same thing.

I'm not sure why it's so important to excuse the conflation of Anti-Semitism with objection to Israel's policies, in any context. Is it similarly okay for Israelis to hate all Muslims because of terror attacks carried out by Muslim Arabs?

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Anti-Semitism: One Jew's perspective about recent events (long read) [View all] Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 OP

Really well done - thanks for your efforts to expand our thinking and understanding. NRaleighLiberal Feb 2017 #1

I read every word, Sissyk Feb 2017 #2

Thank you for your kind words! Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 #16

You're most welcome! Sissyk Feb 2017 #21

Excellent. nt stevenleser Feb 2017 #3

You didn't mention ProudLib72 Feb 2017 #4

This was very well written and explores the issue very well. nycbos Feb 2017 #5

I agree with you that the new "president" is partly responsible for a surge in anti-Semitism. Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 #17

He's brought out all sorts of ugliness, no question. Warren DeMontague Feb 2017 #25

And just today . . . JustAnotherGen Feb 2017 #6

I am just afraid I will wake up soon and read DU and it won't be a threat but an actual event. Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 #19

Kick and recommend to infinity ismnotwasm Feb 2017 #7

Plus 1000 JustAnotherGen Feb 2017 #8

Intelligent, logical , insightful post. Rustyeye77 Feb 2017 #9

Thank you. And thank you for the shout-out. TygrBright Feb 2017 #10

Again, you bring up some good points. Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 #23

Excellent response. And understated. I also appreciate your time and thought in putting together JudyM Feb 2017 #49

Thanks! Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 #53

Absolutely. The OP couldn't have been more timely. JudyM Feb 2017 #55

BTW, in re:Oklahoma Maeve Feb 2017 #57

Aegis, this is beautifully done. I hope many people read it. Hekate Feb 2017 #11

In the irony of ironies, Blue_Tires Feb 2017 #12

"Do not 'redefine' anti-Semitism to include others who aren't Jews" - Then why choose a terminology redgreenandblue Feb 2017 #13

in answer to your first point, words and phrases mean what they mean. Warren DeMontague Feb 2017 #15

Thanks for adressing that bit of spohistry. Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 #18

!! leftstreet Feb 2017 #20

My reply: redgreenandblue Feb 2017 #29

The language can be problematic precisely because there is substantial discrimination redgreenandblue Feb 2017 #28

More sophistry. Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 #31

+1 The end. grossproffit Feb 2017 #32

Again, the only times I have ever seen people broaden the usual definition of the word, it was done redgreenandblue Feb 2017 #35

You are an Arab? Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 #38

It appears we have seen different things then. redgreenandblue Feb 2017 #41

I guess so. Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 #48

Why are you so adamant in wanting to change the meaning of anti-Semitism? grossproffit Feb 2017 #39

okay, tell me exactly how Jews deserve hate because, Israel. Warren DeMontague Feb 2017 #33

Um, no? redgreenandblue Feb 2017 #36

you seem to desperately want to make a point, and yet you're afraid to actually come out Warren DeMontague Feb 2017 #37

My point: Bigotry against Arabs exists, both on a systemic and individual level, and is a problem redgreenandblue Feb 2017 #42

You're derailing. This thread is about Anti-Semitism. Warren DeMontague Feb 2017 #43

You are projecting. The OP has defined one very specific act as being bigoted, the factuality redgreenandblue Feb 2017 #44

I don't. Warren DeMontague Feb 2017 #45

This is a serious thread about a serious issue and taking issue with it as you are strikes others JudyM Feb 2017 #50

What I take issue with is when people slip trace amount of a nationalistic ideology into what is redgreenandblue Feb 2017 #64

You are describing your own motivations. Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 #65

I am not someone you can bully, but thanks for playing. redgreenandblue Feb 2017 #66

Neither am I. Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 #67

Would you mind linking me leftynyc Feb 2017 #68

The term 'anti-Semitism' entered the political lexicon in 1879.. Princess Turandot Feb 2017 #24

kick and rec Warren DeMontague Feb 2017 #14

K&R Solly Mack Feb 2017 #22

I will read later Gothmog Feb 2017 #26

This is amazing! Thank you for taking the time to type this up! EllieBC Feb 2017 #27

Kick and highly recommend leftynyc Feb 2017 #30

well done, Behind the Aegis Skittles Feb 2017 #34

When I was young I had faith in the American public... etherealtruth Feb 2017 #40

You have a ton of good discussion topics in the o.p. Mc Mike Feb 2017 #46

Kicking Sissyk Feb 2017 #47

And the hits just keep on coming. The latest from Sean Spicer... JudyM Feb 2017 #51

Right? Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 #52

I have known for some time that you are a thoughtful and intelligent poster Maeve Feb 2017 #54

Aw shucks. Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 #59

Thanks. onenote Feb 2017 #56

Thank you for your examples!! Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 #58

I'm saddened that this topic doesn't have 200+ recs. grossproffit Feb 2017 #60

Actually, I am shocked it has 50! Behind the Aegis Feb 2017 #62

great post n/t orleans Feb 2017 #61

Kick Warren DeMontague Feb 2017 #63

Kick. JudyM Feb 2017 #69

This message was self-deleted by its author Mosby Feb 2017 #70

Kicked grossproffit Mar 2017 #71

Thanks for collecting all of this information and breaking it down. beam me up scottie Mar 2017 #72

Didn't Bernie admonish a Latina woman for R B Garr Mar 2017 #73

Do you find that people still try to accuse Jews of being the bigots when you bring this up? beam me up scottie Mar 2017 #74