I am probably naive for doing so, but I am trying to treat this issue (1) as if there is a significant proportion of people on both sides acting in good faith, (2) as if there is a solution to be found, (3) as if it is more important to be honest than be partisan
Along the way, I will make mistakes as I am trying to do what I feel is right rather than what I know will fit within a particular framing of the issue. That means my ‘positions’ may appear to shift or be inconsistent. That’s because I’m muddling through.
Also, as I have pointed out before, I, like anyone else, am emotional as well as rational, as well as having a personal stake in this, so that is part of how I respond to things. I am trying to factor that out as much as possible but nobody can really (see @JonHaidt)
Ultimately, the point is to try and muddle through to a better place (because frankly it can’t get much worse) and encourage others to behave as if the three assumptions I started with applies. I’ll take the criticism on the chin in the meantime
A final point. I believe this issue (of antisemtism) has a special characteristic which makes partisan debate even more damaging: to be truly anti-racist you need empathy. That’s what the Macpherson principle is really about. And partisanship reduces or eliminates empathy
