Thread by @Ajzionts

Today I got the most antisemitic hate email and only threatening email of my career. The man included his name and I found an SPLC profile of him so I alerted RCPD in case he follows through on his threats to me and the Rapid City Journal newsroom. He may be from Michigan. 1/x

It's really disgusting+sad that this man and others actually believe in things so hateful. I feel bad for him that he holds these beliefs in his heart. Other Jewish journalists get offensive+threatening messages. So do journalists who are women, Muslim, people of color, etc. 2/x

To clarify I asked RCPD to assess if he will follow through on his threat in case we need protection. That's my main concern. I think he could be charged with this federal law related to threatening communications: law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18….

3/x

If you want to support me and my paper you could subscribe (print or digital) or buy one for someone else!

4/x

Now some analysis. This email is filled with classic antisemitic tropes about Jews being rich and controlling the government+media. The part about Jews making up COVID-19 to instill fear and tyranny is like Jews being blamed for The Black Death (this inspired some pogroms). 5/x

Fact check: The above statements are obviously false! Also he said I have a very Jewish name. My first name is Hebrew+Jewish but Zionts is not and has nothing do w/ Zion or Zionism. It's transliterated from "Zając," a very common name for Polish people of all backgrounds.

6/x

Fact check: My newsroom is not "full of Jews" given that SD is the least Jewish state in the country. The newsroom is generally quite empty due to the pandemic and our small staff size. Also I do not and have never belonged to a "Jew resort," guess I wasn't invited.

7/x

Some people harass and threaten journalists just for being journalists but it's even worse for journalists who are women or belong to marginalized+minority groups: People of color, Jews Muslims, LGBTQ people, etc.

8/x

I spoke w/ an FBI dispatcher from MN (which oversees SD) who connected me to a national dispatcher for this specific kind of issue. They asked a lot of questions, took it seriously and even called back with more information.

9/x

Note that the threats in the email are against me and my newsroom but ultimately his threat and goal is to see all Jews killed.

10/x

Called back with more questions*

The FBI is fast ... the national center contacted the Rapid City office and an agent from there just called me. I'll be meeting with him tomorrow.

11/x

As others have said, if politicians and others want to help they can speak out against conspiracy theories which often blame Jews and other minorities. Some of those conspiracy believers will then take action against minorities, politicians or the general public.

12/x