Zoomchat with David Baddiel about new book 'Jews Don't Count'

[JuliaMumsnet]

Hello

We’re delighted to announce a Mumsnet Zoomchat with critically acclaimed comedian, author of children's and adult's books, screenwriter and TV presenter David Baddiel.

If you'd like to hear from one of the UK's most successful comedians, discuss how anti-Semitism manifests in progressive politics, argue about the merits of the 4-4-2 formation, or just shout 'that's your mum that is', now’s your chance to grab one of our free places.

We’ll be particularly focusing on David’s recent short book which looks at how (in the words of the dust jacket) 'identity politics has failed one particular identity... those who think of themselves as on the right side of history have often ignored the history of anti-Semitism'.

David will be chatting with Mumsnet HQ and answering your questions on Wednesday 28 April at 8pm, and you can book your place now by registering here.

Please note 1 If you join the Zoom chat, your camera will be turned off by default. Your screen name may be visible if we ask you to read your question out ‘live’, so consider whether you’re happy to use your RL name or want to use your MN posting name, or something else entirely.

Please note 2 We can only take questions from Zoomchat attendees on the night - please don’t use this thread to ask questions in advance as we can’t promise we’ll be able to put them forwards.

Register for free (only 100 places are available) here

Thanks
MNHQ

Refusing to apologise for it?

@Oblomov21

Yes. I am Jewish. Your use of the term is hugely offensive. If you had read David's book, rather than (weirdly) referring to some Amazon random's review of it, you would know that.

I would hope, though after this thread I am not optimistic, that you would not continue to use the N-word or the P-word or other offensive racist terms if someone from those communities had pointed this out to you.

I'm Jewish and I am telling you that your use of this term is racist and offensive. The correct response is to apologise, not to double down on it and claim that you know better.

@Oblomov21 Oh and by the way. My entire family is divided between Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea supporters. Football is everything. There is not one single person among them who would be OK with a non-Jew throwing around the term 'yids' and telling Jewish people that they are 'wrong' about it.

@Oblomov21

Rowan I'm getting very confused. I did register. I then get attached email.

Telling me to post question to :
[email protected]

Which I do.

I then get an email:

Thanks for getting in touch.

If you want to ask David a question, please post it on the thread, and hopefully, he will get to yours during the webchat. If you need any help with that, do let us know.

Telling me to post it on the thread.

I'm sorry, but this is very poor.
Mixed messages.

Hello @Oblomov21, thanks for highlighting this. That email is referring to questions about the event rather than for the speaker. But you're right - it's confusing, we'll make that clearer for next time.

Here is David baddiel 's own article, from the Guardian, explaining how offensive Yid is as a term.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/17/david-cameron-yid-really-is-race-hate-word

@mnhq i really would be grateful for you addressing this and deleting the racially offensive posts as I hope you would for any other racist terms.

Are you going to deal with this poster's goading use of racist antisemitic hate language, MN?

Thank you, DropDTuning, that was a really informative read.

Are you going to deal with this poster's goading use of racist antisemitic hate language, MN?

I don't see that way. I don't want to be seen as that. I am very pro Jewish.

Some Jewish Tottenham supporters consciously use it to identify the club as a bastion against racism and antisemitism. Fans of other clubs use the term as a pejorative because of the perception that many Tottenham Hotspur fans are Jewish.

I had previously read DB's article linked and respect it.

Just because you’re a Spurs fan doesn’t mean you have the right to use a word that was used as a hateful term towards Jews. I know the history and association of that term with Spurs but it’s not up to you to ‘reclaim’ it.

It makes my skin crawl when people use the term. I'm really uncomfortable hearing it. It's really derogatory

I'm Jewish. It's a horrible word. Jewish people are telling you they don't like it, @Oblomov21, so why the fuck are you doubling down? Would you do this to a Black person objecting to a term you used?

I’m also Jewish and my understanding (I could be wrong though ) is that just as some black people have reclaimed the ‘n’ word and use it among themselves , some Jews have done the same with the ‘y’ word. If that is something that they feel is empowering I don’t feel I have the right to question it just as I wouldn’t question a black person greeting another black person with the ‘n’word. A white person or someone not Jewish shouldn’t ever use these words. I remember my brothers being called Yids (amongst other horrible names) at school and the word will always be offensive to me. As a Jew I can’t ever imagine using this term. It makes my heart rate go up just thinking about it.

FFS there is always one...yawn

@JuliaMumsnet, how do we submit questions?

@Misshapencha0s

FFS there is always one...yawn

What do you mean?

Just there is always one person who has to be obtuse/controversial/wilfully ignorant.

Oh looks like there's always two now...just because the etymology of a word can be defined as such does not mean it does not have pejorative connotations. It is offensive to many people. I suggest you read David Baddiel's book.

@bemoretiger yes used by Jewish people who understand it. Not used by idiotic football fans who think it's their right to appropriate the word. Take note, @Oblomov21

Well, at least they prove the point he makes in his book, I suppose

I don't see that way. I don't want to be seen as that. I am very pro Jewish.

Except when it comes to actually listening to Jewish people about their experiences of racist language.

Why am I not surprised that in less than two pages, this thread has attracted anti semitism?

Bet you they don't ban the user. Just proves David Baddiel's point if they don't, doesn't it. @mnhq