There is some debate as to whether or not it was appropriate for an exam paper to ask:
“Explain briefly why some people are prejudiced against Jews.”
My gut feeling was how inappropriate such a question might be for children, and the result of mainstreaming of anti-Jewish racism within academia. We have seen it manifest before.
But on reflection (and I’m glad that Norm seems to agree with me), I think discussing racism is a good idea, even if the wording is poor.
Opening up the subject, not letting it fester away in the corner, but facing all our prejudices, both individual, collective and societal is a good idea.
It helps us address the question, why is antisemitism still prevalent in western societies?
In Syria, according to the BBC there is continued killing of civilians in Rastan. Not unsurprisingly there is little indignation in the Western media concerning the shelling of the defenceless by Assad’s murderous gang.
Elsewhere, Chris Dillow makes an acute observation on Leveson inquiry:
“Tittle-tattle about whether Hunt should resign or not symbolises an ideology that disfigures our politics – the idea that what’s needed for proper decision-making is men of the right character. But this is not enough. You also need the right systems. And these have not been in place. If Hunt does have to resign – and I can think of nothing I care less about – he will pay the price for a political system which over-rates the role of personality and under-rates the role of structure.
Alfred North Whitehead famously said that “civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking of them.” By this standard, government hasn’t advanced very much. “
Over in Egypt.
I have never much followed the Daily Beast but Hussein Ibish is a must read for anyone serious about understanding the Middle East. His, Stop Settler Violence, is a very necessary post.
How much enrichment is really just for medical purposes? You decide:
“There are civilian uses for 20% enriched uranium, but it is also a significant technical step towards producing weapons-grade uranium.
Iran has told the agency it was a mistake in starting up the cascades of centrifuges, the machines used to enrich uranium.
Nuclear experts say that is plausible. But one senior diplomat in Vienna refused to speculate. “It can happen,” he said, “it needs to be checked”. “
Mystical Politics explains it better.
Apparently, EU to look into antisemitism on continent.
Soupy One 