The current climate of intolerance redux- an echo opinion from Illinois Holocaust Museum
An echo denouncing hate and AntiSemitism published in the Chicago Sun Times newspaper. This opinion letter is particularly meaningful today March 15, 2019, when the world learned about a massacre in New Zealand targeting innocent immigrant Muslims.
In a chilling parallel, on Feb. 17, 2019, 20,000 Americans rallied in Chicago’s United Center as Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam teamed up with a Holocaust denier and anti-Semitic ideologue to attack the Jewish religion and falsely blame numerous ills of modern society on Jews.
Statistics are grim. Anti-Semitic attacks and other hate crimes against minority groups are on the rise in our country and virulent rhetoric is often the precursor to broader expressions of physical harm.
The only way to stem this dangerous tide is for all of us to stand in solidarity. Let your voices be heard by condemning this recent rally and all acts of bigotry.
Recently, prompted by a social media outcry, rallies against anti-Semitism attracted crowds of thousands in Paris and other French cities following a series of aggressive acts with Jewish targets, including the defacing of 80 gravestones.
But in our own city, a deafening silence was the community response to Farrakhan’s resurrection of age-old blood-libel-type canards.
We have seen how social media can sometimes foster hate, but it can also be a powerful tool in combating societal evil.
It is exactly 80 years since the hateful New York rally and days since the Chicago rally. Please be an “upstander” today.
Fritzie Fritzshall, president, Illinois Holocaust Museum,
Auschwitz Survivor
Susan Abrams, CEO, Illinois Holocaust Museum
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| “In the current climate of intolerance, this footage is especially chilling.” – New York Times |
On Feb. 20, 1939, 20,000 Americans rallied in New York’s Madison Square Garden to celebrate the rise of the American Nazi Party. The event is featured in A Night at The Garden, a short documentary film that just premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.
In a chilling parallel, on Feb. 17, 2019, 20,000 Americans rallied in Chicago’s United Center as Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam teamed up with a Holocaust denier and anti-Semitic ideologue to attack the Jewish religion and falsely blame numerous ills of modern society on Jews.
Statistics are grim. Anti-Semitic attacks and other hate crimes against minority groups are on the rise in our country and virulent rhetoric is often the precursor to broader expressions of physical harm.
The only way to stem this dangerous tide is for all of us to stand in solidarity. Let your voices be heard by condemning this recent rally and all acts of bigotry.
Recently, prompted by a social media outcry, rallies against anti-Semitism attracted crowds of thousands in Paris and other French cities following a series of aggressive acts with Jewish targets, including the defacing of 80 gravestones.
But in our own city, a deafening silence was the community response to Farrakhan’s resurrection of age-old blood-libel-type canards.
We have seen how social media can sometimes foster hate, but it can also be a powerful tool in combating societal evil.
It is exactly 80 years since the hateful New York rally and days since the Chicago rally. Please be an “upstander” today.
Fritzie Fritzshall, president, Illinois Holocaust Museum,
Auschwitz Survivor
Susan Abrams, CEO, Illinois Holocaust Museum
Labels: A Night at the Garden, Chicago Sun-Times, Muslims, New York Times, New Zealand Herald, Susan Abrams
posted by Juliana L'Heureux | 5:03 AM
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