Since the initial backlash from the publishing of Hanna's article, there have been dozens of pages of comments and posts made on the subject. In an effort to condense these discussions without losing much of the information, I have compiled a statement linked to many of these comments and posts. Feel free to read as much of the discussion as you'd like, though I warn you that it is occasionally non-linear and confusing.
On February 13th, 2005, Hanna Ingber wrote an editorial to the Times Herald Record, exposing what she considered to be anti-Semitic attitudes in the Goshen community. More specially, an assertion was made that a certain Joe and Mary, as well as their families, were responsible for attitudes which promoted anti-semitism based upon her initial finding of her name on this website (search "Hanna" to find both references). As most anyone could find, I am Joe. As Joe, I replied to the initial allegations. Fully aware that a pitchfork toting mob would be arriving shortly, I posted all of the sources given to me by Hanna's mother and research coordinator, Barbara Strauss. After people had read the sources for themselves, it became clear to most people that the quotations were out of context and lacking intent to harm. The most damning allegation, the one which speaks to my supposedly random act of bigotry involving a Santa Claus, was refuted by both the supposed victim and his father. I have tried to take the high road, despite what I consider to be blatant and erroneous allegations, suggesting that people behave respectably toward the Ingber/Strauss's and even offering an apology for the unintentional hurt that my writings may have caused.
It should be noted that I no longer support the subject matter of some of my old writings, the language in the Santa Claus source being a clear example. Furthermore I was often a jerk in high school. I cannot change this, and I have apologized for it whenever possible. It should also be noted that this was long ago, and being an ass is very different from being a bigot.
Real bigotry, real anti-semitism is a battle worth fighting. No one has denied this, and it has become our common ground. While Hanna's journalistic integrity has occasionally been questioned, and while some wonder if she has used her contacts in the press in an effort to grab personal attention, I am convinced that Hanna felt actual pain as a result of the comments.
Rebecca Ingber has also chimed in on the matter and others in the Jewish community have supported the Ingber's cause. Within the discussion, questions arose regarding the ease with which we bandy the term "anti-semitism" about. For one Jew with experience in prejudice, many things count as defamation, while for another, also with an unfortunate resume of persecution, these particular charges are borderline ridiculous.
While it is not my place to speak for Mary, she initially spoke for herself and can be found commenting throughout these threads. Before the article, I thought that "Mary" was perhaps the most liberal person on the planet, however, we personally have reached a new understanding of the real meaning of mutual respect, as opposed to what it is not.
It is clear that our words sometimes have unintended effects, but I believe that intent matters. For these unintended effects, I have apologized however, I cannot with good conscience apologize for my anti-semitism, seeing as I hold no such malice toward Jews. I have left many thoughts bare for the world to see for years now. Five sentences amongst the hundreds of pages of type have spoken of Jews in a questionable light, and while I do not agree with their supposed malevolence, I have apologized regardless. I hope that those who come hear searching to find the truth behind the article have found both sides of it, and for those carrying pitchforks to be used against myself, Mary or Hanna, it is my hope that you have at least been given pause.
Posted by E1st at February 19, 2005 09:53 AMI initially came here out of curiosity after reading the article in THR last weekend. I wound up coming back primarily for sheer amusement, but ultimately kept coming back because nearly everyone, on both sides of the issue, was remarkably diplomatic and eloquent in their postings. A few days ago Eric made the observation that if nothing else, this whole episode has sparked a fair amount of debate and dialogue among some pretty intelligent folks, I couldn’t agree more. I work in a high paying professional environment where I almost never feel as though the guy or girl across the table from me will outwit me or use language in a way I can’t, and yet with every posting I’ve made here, I’ve felt as though my words were the weakest on the page. Your conclusion is no exception, I am happy for the dénouement you’ve provided us.
Not withstanding, I’ll still come here to bitch about whatever “Common Ground” is about tomorrow.
Argie, you're welcome to come here to bitch about whatever you like, or whatever Furst likes is probably more accurate, since he controls the content. Any guy who can use denouement and also spell it correctly is okay with me.
BTW, that's how I got here, too. I mean, quite by accident, and it was excellent, so I kept coming. It's pretty unusual to get this many people with this caliber of verbal skills in one place. Quite inspiring, actually.
Posted by: ae on February 20, 2005 2:57 AMSay I did want to find "Common Ground" on the Record Online...Where would I even find it? I had to search for Hanna's thing, I have poked for a while and not found anything even resembling that column.
Posted by: E1st on February 20, 2005 8:28 AMI don’t know about on-line, but I just got back from the gym and quickly thumbed through the THR, and lo and behold, no “Common Ground”. I can’t believe it! Maybe mine was not the only negative letter they received and never published. URGH!!
AE, thanks for the compliment. To be honest, I had to consult my trusted American Heritage after I botched the spelling so bad Word didn’t even have any suggestions. I did know the meaning though.
My, my, my... so much for that regular new feature. I'd be interested to know, Argie, if your paper last week had some kind of an endnote or introductory paragraph explaining that it was to be a regular new guest column, or if it was going to be periodic or what the premise was, at the time. Lord, if that was all pretense just to give the kid a soapbox, then, well... eww. Ick. Shudder.
Posted by: ae on February 20, 2005 12:23 PMFortunately for you AE, I am intrinsically lazy and have yet to take out a full weeks worth of newspapers to the recycling bin, and it just so happens I have last Sunday’s Record right here in front of me.
Each Sunday in the front of the paper they have a “Dear Reader” box outlining the features of that day’s paper. Last week it said:
This week, “Common Ground” debuts. It’s a column written by you, the readers, about your life and experiences here in the mid-Hudson and Catskills region. This week, you’ll read Hanna Ingber’s telling memories of growing up, and her growing recognition of prejudice.
I still have yet to really read the paper today, so I’m not sure if the “Dear Reader” box this week makes any mention of its absence, I’ll let you know. Bottom line, THR is a horrible paper. Our area is going through a bit of a growth spurt and although I’m very much in favor of preserving things as they are, I hope we develop enough to offer more than one daily paper.
Hmmph. Well, even without Common Ground, I think it's pretty funny that there's another column in there today, the "Que Pasa?" piece, that details the furor over the latest in the "American Girl" series of kids' books which is apparently offensive to some middle-class Hispanics who resent the implication that some Hispanics might live in "dangerous" neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, on last week's late night re-run of the multi-Emmy-winning series, "The West Wing," Toby Zeigler gets in a bar fight with some right-wing jerk in Orange County (THE O.C., not the one in NY), and gets arrested and as he's bailing out, another White House aide phones him from D.C.
WILL: You guys all right?
TOBY: Charlie and I got arrested.
WILL: Yeah, I saw it on the news.
TOBY: It made the news out there?
WILL: A Jewish guy won a bar fight-- it's news everywhere.
Take into consideration that this ran last Sunday night, when the idiocy of the whole nasty Ingber episode was just warming up, so it waaas kind of comic relief for me. But I did think it was hilarious. So sue me.
Posted by: ae on February 20, 2005 6:22 PM