By Charles Lavine
Jew hatred is a form of racism, which is defined as prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.
By now you’d think that we had all become desensitized to the things that come out of former President Donald Trump’s mouth. Yet, there he goes again, using antisemitism and racism to appeal to a base that he so desperately needs in order to reclaim power.
Trump recently appeared on WABC-AM’s “Sid & Friends in the Morning” radio show, falsely claiming Vice President Kamala Harris “doesn’t like Jewish people.” He then agreed with a right-wing host who called Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff a “crappy Jew” and a “horrible Jew.”
Trump had his own choice words for Jewish people during the segment, “Any Jewish person that votes for Biden or a Democrat, but votes for Biden,” he said before explaining he meant to say Harris. “… should have their head examined.” Adding, “If you are Jewish, regardless of Israel, if you’re Jewish, if you vote for a Democrat, you’re a fool, an absolute fool.”
The “good Jews” versus “bad Jews” trope is part and parcel of the old dual loyalty slander. Trump knows this and so does his Jew-hating base.
Because “enough” is a word that does not exist in Trump’s dictionary, our former president took things a step further the next day when he appeared before the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago.
Trump falsely suggested Vice President Kamala Harris had misled voters about her race and had in the past promoted only her Indian heritage.
At a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump continued his purposeful mispronunciation of Harris’ first name.
Incredibly in just 24 hours, Trump managed to offend Jews, African-Americans, Indians and women and all of us who care about our American community. But by now we should know better than to feel any sense of surprise.
I demand that every Republican in office and running for office join me in repudiating, condemning and denouncing Trump’s racism.
To be clear, I do not make this demand in my capacity as President of the New York Chapter of the National Association of Jewish Legislators nor as a Member of NAJL’s National Board of Directors.
To be even more precise, I make this demand as an American citizen.
Assemblymember Charles Lavine represents New York’s 13th Assembly District in Nassau County. He presently serves as Chair of the Judiciary Committee and is a member of the Committees on Codes, Ethics and Guidance, Insurance and Rules. Lavine previously served as Chair of the Election Law Committee, Chair of the Committee on Ethics and Guidance, co-Chair of the New York State Legislative Ethics Commission, and as Chair of the bipartisan Taskforce that produced the Assembly Speaker’s Policy on Sexual Harassment, Retaliation and Discrimination. Lavine is also President of the New York Chapter of the National Association of Jewish Legislators and a member of its National Board of Directors.
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