FOCUS
Anti-Semitism or legitimate criticism?
"Nothing would be more un-American
than yielding to attempts to intimidate and suppress critical voices"
Sensitivity is very important. There is an unquestionable need to understand
the pain minorities encounter when they feel singled out or discriminated
against.
Growing up under Communist dictatorship in Eastern Europe where, curiously,
the majority was under the thumb of a minority, taught me to feel the anguish
of the powerless. I realized how unjust it was to be forced to believe in
something I couldn't; to have my individuality and freedom of self-expression
taken away. I always felt that first and foremost all people are human and
the differences in their personal beliefs, culture, religion, or ethnicity
are important enrichments of humanity. When people mix up that order, the
word "human" could easily get lost. Few would know this better
than Jews, who, during the holocaust, were often referred to as vermin.
Although somewhat inaccurately, as Arabs are also Semites, the word "anti-Semite"
displays antagonism towards the Jewish people. It describes a sort of political
or social persecution, which, as history has so painfully taught us, could
lead to physical destruction. After the horrors of the near extermination
of millions of "sub-humans," the U.N. moved to create a safe place
for Jewish survivors, the largest group of the victims. The world felt horrible
and offered the utmost protection, so the tragedy could never be repeated.
We heard it, said it, and became used to the term "anti-Semite"
and knew that we had our work cut out to keep hatred from overtaking the
world again. But as happens with most well-meaning efforts, shadows of mistaken
perception and occasional abuse recurred.
On June 21st, the often rumored but rarely confronted issue of misusing
the term "anti-Semitic" took on unprecedented importance at the
annual convention of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists,
in Washington, D.C. The event's high profile speakers included former presidential
candidate and Senator John McCain, Senator Orin Hatch, Assistant
Secretary of Defense Victoria Clarke, Arab-American Institute President
James Zogby, and the National Director of the Anti-Defamation League,
Abraham Foxman.
It was during Foxman's speech that a threatening cloud suddenly rose
over our most cherished amendment, for which, along with millions, I came
to America. An undoubtedly gifted orator, Foxman, sounded from his pulpit
like a revivalist minister, complete with dramatic voice, gestures, and
near tears. He exclaimed with a trembling voice that there are American
cartoonists divulging anti-Semitic images in the press. For proof he distributed
a booklet titled "Anti-Semitic Images in the Media."
PAUL CONRAD 4/19/02 - LOS ANGELES TIMES, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
The forty page mini exhibition included a drawing by the L.A. Times'
three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Conrad. The cartoon, clearly
aimed at making the point of portraying the state of Israel as terrorizing
the occupied territories, shows an Israeli airplane flying towards a pair
of twin-towering mosques. Hard hitting? You bet. Anti-Semitic? Absolutely
not. One may not agree with the cartoonist's perception, but his work is
clearly about the policies and actions of a government without reference
to ethnicity or religion. Just as when the U.S. dismantled Al-Qaeda it never
aimed at hurting Islam.
NICK ANDERSON 4/13/02 - LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL
In another example by Nick Anderson of the Louisville Courier
Journal, Foxman depicts Ariel Sharon's hoeing machine
suggesting that it is anti-Semitic because it is equipped with rotating
weed-wackers that look like swastikas. When pressed by Ventura County
(California) Star cartoonist Steve Greenberg, Foxman acknowledged
that the image actually may not be representing the infamous Nazi insignia.
But even if it were, just as the Communist hammer and sickle, the Muslim
crescent, and the Christian cross have been used frequently to represent
strong opinions, figures associated with Judaism, whether the Star of David
or the swastika (as horrifying a symbol to other ethnic groups as to Jews),
are not exempt from first-amendment protection.
The big danger is that cartoonists expressing their opinion about governments,
politicians, and policies are facing misguided and, in some cases, deliberate
silencing attempts. The clue to ulterior motive is that if the works were
truly anti-Semitic, the ADL would not hesitate to seek a remedy in a court
of law. Calling a cartoonist anti-Semitic without satisfactory proof would
be libelous, but by simply calling one's work anti-Semitic in nature is
sufficient to intimidate and discourage criticism. And that's where all
who misuse and cheapen the true meaning of the word should be brought to
a screeching halt. Nothing would be more un-American than yielding to attempts
to intimidate and suppress critical voices. The Constitution, when enforced,
leaves no playing field for those who use the word to threaten, blackmail,
or obtain special treatment.
Joe Szabo
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