If we use shame to silence provocative dissent, then the only voices left will be those lacking in shame.
If you make a public statement, you should expect public criticism of that statement.
Definitely. Criticize away. You disagree, you should say so. And if someone says something offensive, they should deal with the consequences.
Where’s the criticism? Where’s the debate? All I’ve seen is accusations of anti-semitism.
Because that’s what it is.
Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. It’s certainly not being debated, which is my point. I don’t know her personally, and I am not familiar with all of her public statements, but as I understand it, this is in response to her support of thr Palestinian Artists Against Apartheid letter from 2021. Is thatthe part you’re calling antisemitic?
If you defend Palestinians, you should expect to be accused of anti-semitism. It’s inevitable.
And it doesn’t even matter whether those accusations are fair. Because if you make a public statement, you should not expect all public criticism to be fair.
So if you can’t handle unfair public criticism, then don’t make public statements.
The Open Letter in question
We call for an immediate and unconditional cessation of Israeli violence against Palestinians. We call for an end to the support provided by global powers to Israel and its military; especially the United States, which now provides Israel $3.8 billion annually without condition. We ask all people of conscience to exercise their agency to help dismantle the apartheid regime of our time. We ask governments that are enabling this crime against humanity to apply sanctions, to mobilize levers of international accountability, and to cut trade, economic and cultural relations. We call on activists, and especially our peers in the arts, to exercise their agency within their institutions and localities to support the Palestinian struggle for decolonization to the best of their ability. Israeli apartheid is sustained by international complicity, it is our collective responsibility to redress this harm.
I didn’t even realize she was still alive. I remember watching one of her shows on A&E back in the 90s when it really was Arts & Entertainment.