A question arising frequently now is – why is there such an increase in antisemitism? What makes Hamas look good to lefty college students (and the many paid rioters that accompany them)? According to Daniel Hanna, member of the House of Lords, this bigotry dates back quite a way. Let’s take a tour of the history of this disgusting practice.
The man who popularized the word “socialist” was antisemitic. This was 19th C. French radical, Pierre Leroux, who said, “When we speak of the Jews, we mean the Jewish spirit—the spirit of profit, of lucre, of gain, of speculation: in a word, the banker’s spirit.” German lefty, Wilhelm Marr said, “Antisemitism is a socialist movement, only nobler and purer in form than social democracy.” These were not unusual beliefs at that time. Socialism and antisemitism have long been linked, mostly because of jealousy of the success of many hard-working Jews.
Adolf Hitler asked his party back in 1920, “How as a socialist, can you not be an antisemite?” It’s instructive for the Left to realize that Nazism stands for National Socialism, not Fascism (that was Mussolini). Karl Marx, although the grandson of a rabbi, wrote, “What is the worldly religion of the Jew? Huckstering. What is his worldly God? Money. The chimerical nationality of the Jew is the nationality of the merchant, of the man of money in general.”
What is Really Going on Now?
All these past bigots were focused on their personal greed. Hitler saw a big pot of money he could steal to fund his ambitions by demonizing Jews. But what was happening then is also what is happening now. Too many people see the world as a hierarchy and believe that wealth is a pie where if some get more, the rest get less. Economic history has proven this concept to be bankrupt; the “pot” of money grows as people succeed. That is why we are all better off now than kings were back in the day.
But for some people, they must have people to put down, to look down upon. Otherwise, they see themselves as lesser. There must always be a disfavored category, a group that doesn’t include you. The Rom (gypsies) were a common target, allowing feckless people to find a group they felt were less industrious and honest than they were.
Today, it is identity politics, a far cry from Martin Luther King’s idea of race neutrality. When I was a child, this was a common focus. Let’s look at each other as people, not as white, black, red-headed, tall, short, etc. It makes sense as it makes people look to each other as neighbors and potential friends instead of assessing their value and worth with regard to your own. One breeds alliance, harmony and yes, success. The other breeds failure, divisiveness and contempt. If you aren’t clear on who is responsible for the divisive nature of our politics now, it should be crystal clear.
Race grievance needs to die. The celebration of victimhood needs to end. There are no classes of people who are oppressors holding back “victims.” While I have long been amazed at the accomplishments of people who face challenges, they do not get my celebration and support based purely on their race or other claim of victimhood. In fact, my personal heroes have transcended any idea of being a victim. Look at Clarence Thomas, Thomas Sowell, Ben Carson, Carlos Slim and more. Women, native Americans, those with disabilities…there are so many names of those who simply persevered, worked harder than most of us and made it. If you think of yourself as a victim, you will always be dependent on others, especially government. If you see yourself succeeding, you will find your own way, free of the intrusive power of our leaders.
This toxic categorization will kill American and the American dream. While most didn’t see it, I’ve seen antisemitism my entire life. Fortunately, for me, almost no one (except another Jew) recognizes my heritage. But I’ve seen the slights and the closed doors for years. October 7th ushered in, not a revival of our humanity, but unprecedented hate. Apparently, the Palestinians, a failed people no Arab nation wants to take in, are the new “victims” in the minds of too many. So, the Jews must be the elite who must be brought down.
Consequences
If everyone is disabled, disadvantaged or otherwise a victim, who pays? And do the elite really believe they can exempt themselves from the consequences of their bad actions by virtue-signaling? Governments have been brought down for less. Look at the history of Argentina. Pillaging the rich and famous won’t spare Washington or Hollywood. And people are beginning to see how phony these leaders are, as they order us around and exempt themselves from the consequences of their bad policies.
There is no question who the “good guys” in this war are. No country has ever done as much to protect civilians as Israel. No army has been more conservative and careful. In fact, had they acted as they should, this war would be over. Sure, some civilians would have died, but let’s remember how many Israelis died on the 7th. Palestinians voted themselves terrorists for government. Hamas hides their troops and weapons on civilian targets.
We should support the IDF in making a major, destructive action against Gaza and win this war. In another blog, I plan to make it clear how the world would be without the Jewish people. We all rely on their amazing innovation.
