The 'So what?' test
The NI is to be congratulated on its stance on the centuries-old scourge known as antisemitism (NI 372). However, as is often the case, your report falls short of a full-scale rebuttal of antisemitic prejudice. Since antisemitism is largely based on ignorance, rational arguments are needed to counteract its harmful influence. In many cases, an adequate argument might be the ‘so what?’ test. Even if you accepted that The Protocols of the Elders of Zion was the work of a handful of evil Jews: so what? How could a handful of Jews subvert the established European order without an army, without strong political and social support, and above all without the numbers?
Even if you accepted that Dreyfus was guilty: so what? The guilt of one Jew surely does not entail the guilt of all Jews! (Incidentally, when it was revealed that the real culprit was a Hungarian, there was no corresponding hysteria throughout France against Hungarians).
The deicide charge should also be refutable with rational arguments. The Christian churches have traditionally taught that humankind could be saved only through the supreme sacrifice of a divine Saviour, so should we all not be thankful to those who accomplished what was decreed by God himself? That millions of post-Christ Jews should be held collectively accountable for a crime allegedly committed by a handful of wicked people living in Jerusalem in the early first century should surely be repugnant to any right-thinking individual.
Join over 10,000 people just like you. Get e-mail updates about new content, issue alerts, contests, and more!
Voices from the margins:
Multimedia: video, podcasts, and more.
- Poetry Slam in Zimbabwe
- The House of Hunger poetry slam held in Zimbabwe in 2006, and organised by the Pamberi Trust, showcased young artists performing inspirational work on issues from corporate power to child soldiers. The video features four of the poets.
Published by Pambazuka News.
- Iranian women speak out
- 3 March 2007, London. Women's rights activists marched through the English capital last week to celebrate International Women's Day with a protest against the misogyny of the Islamic regime in Iran and the threat of invasion by the US. Hear the voices of Iranian feminists Azar and Leila Parnian and the sounds of the demonstration as it passed through the heart of the city. Click here to learn more about the campaign.
Produced by Heidi Bachram.
- Raised Voices audio:
- Benny from West Papua on Corporate Power
- Vinayan from India on agriculture
