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

i hope what i have said on this thread is not overstepping the line or anything. As I am not Jewish I would hate to think that by stating my views etc that was somehow insensitive as I have not had your experience. I have seen my Jewish friends hide their Jewish identity, i have seen them hate and deny the race they were born into because they have felt it almost like a millstone around their neck. I have seen them be verbally abused, physically abused and hear ridiculous offensive, ignorant comments like 'you don't look like a jew, you don't have a big nose.' This is sickening and I feel I understand but I don't like to think that by speaking I am in a way part of the problem. Everything I have said has come from a good place.

Well I always appreciate other people showing up. Like you say it comes from a good place. That is what counts. The more voices the better.

Speaking for myself, @misshapencha0s I am very heartened by your contributions. It means a lot to know we're not fighting this on our own.

Will you be on the call tomorrow?

I'm not Jewish. I am horrified by how anti-semitism is increasingly the last acceptable prejudice.

Please take this seriously, MN.

RowanMumsnet

“We could have acted more quickly here for sure, but our policy is certainly a zero-tolerance one and we’ll try to be quicker off the mark in future.”
I’ve been pondering this one all day and all I can say is that ‘lukewarm’ is about the kindest thing you can say about these MNHQ responses. They’re pretty disheartening and just, well, cold.

If this poster was allowed to goad across the weekend and all you can say is ‘we’ll ’try to be quicker off the mark in future’ then it’s not really a zero tolerance policy, is it?

Yes I will be on it. I loved the book and have a new found respect for DB for using his voice in this way.

An example is during the weekend you often get people starting a thread in the royal family section. Posts and often whole threads get deleted very fast for picking on a member of the royal family that is very unlikely to ever come on mumsnet and see the thread.

Whereas the people that are getting offended here are actually on the thread.

Always liked him as a personality but really respect him for standing up for and articulating something that people choose to turn a blind eye to. I notice, many people notice. But so many others are ignorant to the erasure of Judaism and the Jewish experience in mainstream identity politics and therefore in day to day life.

I’ve been pondering this one all day and all I can say is that ‘lukewarm’ is about the kindest thing you can say about these MNHQ responses. They’re pretty disheartening and just, well, cold.

Couldn't agree more. Genuinely sounds like they couldn't give a shit, or that they think we're tiresome or overreacting or something. I'm troubled by the tone tbh.

Hi all,
I've had a good read of this thread and want to reassure you that:

1. We view use of the Y-word as unacceptable and will always delete it henceforth
2. We do not tolerate anti-semitism, just as we would not tolerate any other kind of racism on Mumsnet.
3. We recognise that anti-semitism is a terrifying and growing problem is this country and around the world and that Jewish people feel understandably threatened and we are 100% committed to making sure that any instances of it on Mumsnet are stamped out quickly and offending posters suspended.
4. We certainly could have acted more quickly in deleting posts and suspending the user who was repeatedly arguing that the Y-word isn't offensive on this thread, rather than let the argument run over the weekend. The reason the mod team didn't jump on this quicker was because, firstly, it was the weekend and we didn't have the full team on hand and secondly, there is, in society generally some confusion about the offensiveness of this term wrt to Spurs fans - DB has talked about this in various articles and in his book, particularly with reference to the then PM, David Cameron's use of the word. But you only have to look at the reaction on this thread, or indeed read DB's book (which I highly recommend) to understand just how offensive this term is to Jews and how aggressively it is often used by racists. So I want to apologise that we were slow to act here - it's a learning for us and we will be quicker next time.

Thank you @JustineMumsnet, comment at last. As others note, your weekend team are quick enough with other forms of racism. There's no 'confusion' that the term concerned is offensive. Your team need education.

I hope that the actual webchat will be fully monitored so that David Baddiel receives the same respect and protection as anyone else.

@murbblurb

Thank you *@JustineMumsnet*, comment at last. As others note, your weekend team are quick enough with other forms of racism. There's no 'confusion' that the term concerned is offensive. Your team need education.

I hope that the actual webchat will be fully monitored so that David Baddiel receives the same respect and protection as anyone else.

Hi I'll be hosting the zoomchat and yes of course DB will receive same respect as any other guest.

Thanks @JustineMumsnet

A robust and reassuring response at last. Thank you @JustineMumsnet

’yes of course DB will receive same respect as any other guest’

Well, he is a Chelsea fan ....

I am imagining mumsnet mods quickly having to read the book and research to educate themselves from the comment. Shouldn't be like that. However the lack of education in the subject is nothing new. I appreciate the effort and the promise.

Will be holding you to that though mumsnet. Just a warning

@Nightbear

’yes of course DB will receive same respect as any other guest’

Well, he is a Chelsea fan ....

Ok then

If ever there was a time for the MN 'hmmm' emoji, it is on this thread.... Let's hope the webchat goes well.

@Nightbear

’yes of course DB will receive same respect as any other guest’

Well, he is a Chelsea fan ....

good point

Isn't it this emoji

This thread had turned to be a perfect illustration of the book. I hope David Baddiel sees it, he could use it as an ironic example for his next book.

I read the book last week and thought it was really interesting, it covers so much that I hadn't heard or thought about before. The documentary was really harrowing to watch but really made it clear how current all of this still is.

It's not the same but the idea of imposed selective minority ethnicity idea is something I have come across with my children. They're half Indian but look Mediterranean so sometimes they're seen as white and sometimes not white, and it's entirely based on who is looking at them.

Thank you Justine that is a much more reassuring response. I grew up in the ‘60’s’ with an anglicised name, parents that were too afraid to say the word Jew/Jewish out of their home and trying to blend in to avoid antisemitic abuse in my workplace. When my DC were born in the 80s things felt more accepting and they were able to wear a Magen Dovid in public and not be ashamed of their dark curls and ‘foreign’ look. Now it feels like we are heading back to my childhood again. It’s frightening and depressing. Yet often when we say we have been racially abused we are often told we can’t have been because we are white.

I was discussing this with my children at dinner tonight. Not being thought of as white by the racists but too white to complain about racism according to society.

My grandfather changed his last name to be accepted as a performer back in the 60s. Very successful theatre and television career. The general public didn't realise he was Jewish until his obituary.

There is a topic in David's book I would love to discuss on mumsnet. An angle even with a Jewish family I had never really considered. However I won't because I fear it will attract negative posters.

Not much I am worried about saying on mumsnet. Talk way too much So that does say it all really.

Webinar was fab. I haven’t read the book yet but have it arriving tomorrow, can’t wait to read it.

It was brilliant.
Thank you MNHQ.
I'll be ordering too.