We're Now Living in Fascist America
Antisemitism and Transphobia have NO PLACE in America
“I don't like bullies; I don't care where they're from.” - Steve Rogers, Captain America: The First Avenger
First of all, an apology for not sending out a newsletter sooner. I was intending to do so during the first full week of the year and like so many people, I was glued to news coverage of the LA fires. A number of friends lost their homes and several others were evacuated, not knowing if they would have a home to go back to. While all that was happening, I’ve seen other people display zero empathy, believing Hollywood to be just a rich city. We’re talking about a town and industry that has been slow to recover since the pandemic. If the pandemic recovery wasn’t slow enough, the double strikes happened, and now this. My thoughts and prayers have been with my friends living in LA.
Because of the above and being knee-deep in film festival coverage, I’m behind on writing a few book reviews, either here or at Dugout Dirt. I hope to get to writing those soon.
I cannot trust Jewish right-wingers to call out antisemitism because their heads are so far up Trump's ass that they can't even recognize it when it stares at them in the face. All you need to do is take a look at Jewish influencer accounts and see who is defending his salute.
At the same time, so many of the people that are calling Musk out for his Nazi salute didn't do a damn thing when it came to calling out antisemites on college campuses, in the LGBTQ community, or elsewhere. When it comes to antisemitism, Jewish voices need to be centered in the conversation—not AOC, in this instance.
How many people calling out Musk are also the same people who didn't bother calling on Hamas to release hostages or check on Jewish friends in the days, weeks, and months since October 7? Antisemitism is antisemitism. It is on both sides. Too many have given leftist antisemitism a free pass.
Shortly after the election, I saw people passing around post after post about LGBTQ hotline numbers. Trans Lifeline turned its back on trans Jews. A lot of trans spaces closed their doors to trans Jews following October 7. SI saw how bad antisemitism is in the trans community all the way back in 2017. It only got worse after October 7. The whitest of LGBTQ people--in particular--made being antisemitic their ENTIRE personality. I don't really have in person spaces for support because of this.
I’ve been busy covering the Miami Jewish Film Festival this month. A week into the festival was when the New York Jewish Film Festival kicked off. As of now, I’m doing my best to juggle coverage of both and suffice it to say, yesterday is the first day in which my headspace was impacted—federally mandated transphobia being rule of the land can do that. I didn’t think federally mandated transphobia would be what forces me to make Aliyah but this very well could end up being what forces me to move. The fact that I’d have more rights living in Israel than in America is really sad but that’s Fascist America.
As long as I have a breath in my body, I’ll call out antisemitism and transphobia no matter which direction it comes from, including the fascist insurrectionist now living at the White House. He is a bully and a convicted felon that has no business holding the title of president.
Last but not least, the ADL has lost any remaining trust, respect, or credibility after they have Elon a free pass for his Nazi salute. Jonathan Greenblatt must resign.