The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #79324 Message #1436530
Posted By: robomatic
16-Mar-05 - 08:38 PM
Thread Name: BS: A discussion - What is antisemitism? .
Subject: RE: BS: A discussion - What is antisemitism? .
Dear LH: Again you write very well. I hope you realize that while I still disagree with you on some points your erudite responses are a pleasure to read. (And of course that whole Shatner thing, I was wondering why you wouldn't bring up that well known Jewish Canadian along with Bob Dylan - is he more of a 'power' player? ;-))
Let's see if there is general agreeement on this much:
1) Anti-semitism is a relatively recent word invented to particularize sentiment against the semites then most numerous in Europe: Jews.
2) The term itself specifies a group of 'races'-for want of a better word not actually limited to Jews.
3) Usage of the term typically is taken to mean Jews to this day, but its use has expanded and its connotation shifted greatly due to the wave of anti-Jewish feeling in Europe throughout the 20th century, a counter-reaction to this sentiment in the light of the Holocaust, and a counter-counter-reaction to this sentiment in the light of the founding of Israel and the wars between Israel and its Arab neighbors.