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

MN have always been quite poor at acknowledging antisemitism on here. Remember all those threads about circumcision back in the day? I know it’s reflective of society as a whole but surely it’s not unreasonable to hold MN to slightly higher standards than that.

CommunistLegoBloc. I honestly am yet to see a thread on here which involves the mention of a Jewish person, Jews and/or Judaism in general, Israel/Palestine, that doesn’t turn into an anti-Semitic bunfight. I was watching a video the other week of a Korean Youtuber testing out Israeli snacks she’d been sent by a viewer. The comment section got so vile she had to take them all down and stop comments. If ever there was a time for David Baddiels book, the time is now . If this was happening to any other race, there’d be outrage.

This is a snapshot as to why David Baddiel's book is so essential. I admire his bravery and conviction as it must feel like walking against the tide.

@Misshapencha0s Thank you so much for saying that. I'm not sure if you yourself are Jewish or not, but the past few years have been absolute hell. I'm Jewish, leftie, from London, married out, non-traditional in many ways, etc. and I never thought I would encounter the kind of antisemitism that I have done over the last five to ten years or so.

I always argued with my grandparents when they told me how endemic AS was; I thought i knew better. Even though I had experienced little incidents here and there throughout my life, I dismissed them, but the past few years has left me in no doubt as to quite how much passionate, intense Jew-hatred there still is in the UK (and elsewhere).

David's book is a really good summary of that and a good introduction for those who maybe haven't lived it so directly.

I never thought I would encounter the kind of antisemitism that I have done over the last five to ten years or so.

It feels like everything is going backwards. sorry you're experiencing this.

I agree

Things do seem worse now than a few years ago. The likes of Corbyn and his followers never really getting dealt with doesn't help. It gives the green light to other idiots.

Mumsnet has its own issues with this. Basically you would be jumped on for comments about most other groups of people. Whereas Jews apparently don't count. Thread about prejudice saying white so don't understand prejudice. A poster saying jew over and over instead of due to wind someone up. Not one other person called them out. It is just a religion so shouldn't be talked about as a race. Lots of examples on mumsnet lately.

I listened to David Baddiel reading his book on audible, really good listen and brought up a lot of issues I was completely unaware of. Would definitely recommend it.

@dropdtuning I am not Jewish but i have a deep admiration and respect for Judaism and Jewish culture. I admire the fact that despite being persecuted since the dawn of time for no rhyme or reason that the Jewish race will never capitulate to the hatred and venom that is far too often projected on to them. I was brought up to have this respect. I grew up with many Jewish friends and my best friend of nearly 30 years is Jewish. People who hate Jews are either completely ignorant, jealous (often seething with envy), spiteful bullies and are always looking for a scapegoat and way to deflect. Shameful. Just know that many many people stand with you, not against you.

No comment, @JuliaMumsnet ? This thread is being hijacked. Yellow stars are seen on the streets by the anti Semitic conspiracists. You'd jump quickly on any other kind of racism..

The open antisemitism on display at yesterday's march was shocking, and some responses prove how much Baddiel's book is necessary.
I follow a Jewish celebrity on twitter who recommended or passed a positive remark about a product and someone immediately jumped on her, asking about Palestinians.
That football club wishing people a good Passover - have a look at the responses on their SM. Horrifying.

A poster on here doubled down on their anti-Semitic remarks, and is still merrily posting on other threads. It's so shit. AS just doesn't appear to be taken seriously on here.

I’ve just stumbled across this thread and the word Yid has just thrown me back to such a horrible time in my childhood. Growing up in North Manchester as a Jewish person in the 70’s was full of anti Semitic hate, I have memories of running for my life away from a group of haters yelling words such as “kill the yids”, gas them all, and other choice words.

@doodleygirl

I’ve just stumbled across this thread and the word Yid has just thrown me back to such a horrible time in my childhood. Growing up in North Manchester as a Jewish person in the 70’s was full of anti Semitic hate, I have memories of running for my life away from a group of haters yelling words such as “kill the yids”, gas them all, and other choice words.

Sorry you experienced that

I have reported your post Communist.

Oh no, somebody who ignored Jewish people's requests not to use the word 'yid' has reported me. Oh nooooo.

I didn't ignore anyone requests. And I didn't repeat it.
That's factually incorrect.

But carry on checking my posting history?

I know it's divisive. But it doesn't have to be seen that way. Some people don't like it. I know this. And appreciate that. But others don't mind.

But it seems there's no room for discussion.

You know it's divisive, but you doubled down saying it was fine for you to use, despite Jews on this thread saying it wasn't fine? You chose to tell them why you felt it was alright, rather than listening, apologising, changing? Brilliant.

But it seems there's no room for discussion
Also this is outrageous. It's not a fucking debate where you get to explain your side. Would you be having this conversation with a Black person over the n word? Jews have told you they don't like it. You accept that and shut up about it, or you fight them on it. Which one do you think is a better look?

I didn't double back at all.

I am prepared to have a sensible discussion about it. If you are willing.

Of course it's a discussion.
Eh?

@Oblomov21

I know it's divisive. But it doesn't have to be seen that way. Some people don't like it. I know this. And appreciate that. But others don't mind.

But it seems there's no room for discussion.

Some people don't mind the N or the P word that doesn't make it ok to use. Even if it is technically your own to use. Common decency means you don't use it. We are not living in the 70s or 80s when these things went un checked.

No, it's not a discussion. The word 'yid' is offensive. You don't get to have a discussion about that, we don't owe you an education. You've been told. Why would you try to argue it? Again, would you argue your right to use the n word? The word 'retard'?

I am prepared to have a sensible discussion about it. If you are willing.

This is such gaslighting. Of course, the silly unsensible Jews on this thread just don't want to have a discussion with me about my right to offend them! I'm the reasonable one here!

@Oblomov21

Of course it's a discussion. Eh?

Not in the way you seem to think.

It is not a debate about whether you can use it. You shouldn't.

The only discussion is if you said. Oh sorry I didn't realise. Can people explain to me the problem with the word. That is the discussion people don't mind having.