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Is cowardice a solution for reactionary attacks against IMC?
This is the letter of "support" for IMC Switzerland written by Urbana-Champaign IMC.
We, the Urbana-Champaign IMC, support IMC Switzerland in its mission of providing an open and independent channel of public communication. We are saddened that IMC Switzerland is currently offline as a consequence of the legal action by Aktion Kinder der Holocaust. We pledge our solidarity and support.
This controversy pits two important but irreconcilable principles against each other: on one hand, unfettered, uncensored free speech; on the other, the repudiation of racist and antisemitic rhetoric. The Urbana-Champaign IMC has also found itself caught between these two principles in the past, and we recognize the significant moral and ethical quandary IMC Switzerland finds itself in.
The cartoon panel at the heart of the controversy is part of a series critical of Israeli policy toward the Palestinians. It bears repeating that it is not the pro-Palestinian stance which is at question here. It is only the final panel, which by implication equated the Israelis with the Nazis, which triggered the ADKH protest.
We do not accuse the cartoonist Latuff of antisemitism, although we believe that he had not fully considered the moral implications of the cartoon panel at the time of its posting, and we believe he has not yet shown any real understanding of the core complaint against him. He boasts of "having struck a nerve"; he has, but not the one he thinks.
In particular, we must explicitly reject as repugnant the rhetorical device of equating Israeli policy with Nazism, a hyperbolic comparison that is at best tasteless, deeply offensive to most Jews and Germans, and historically untenable. The Nazi "Final Solution" killed nearly one third of the world's Jewish population within half a dozen years; the AKDH is not wrong to assert that such ground should be tread lightly. We accept that their motivation comes not from a desire to stifle criticism of Israel, as has been alleged, but as a genuine cri de coeur.
Nevertheless, the mission of the IMC movement requires that free speech must prevail. IMC Switzerland exercised sound moral judgement in deprecating but not removing the cartoon. We feel that this is a perfectly acceptable solution.
We call upon the AKDH in friendship to reconsider their suit against IMC Switzerland. Proceeding against the IMC would be, we strongly believe, ineffective or even counterproductive. The Latuff panel is, ultimately, too insignificant to merit the closing of IMC Switzerland. Given its international nature, the Internet cannot be purged of all expressions of antisemitism -- or any other type of insanity. But the Internet also allows for new opportunities for education and bridge-building, and we find it more productive to concentrate our energies there.
We send all our best wishes to IMC Switzerland in hopes that their site will soon rejoin IMCs throughout the world, giving voice to the voiceless.
This controversy pits two important but irreconcilable principles against each other: on one hand, unfettered, uncensored free speech; on the other, the repudiation of racist and antisemitic rhetoric. The Urbana-Champaign IMC has also found itself caught between these two principles in the past, and we recognize the significant moral and ethical quandary IMC Switzerland finds itself in.
The cartoon panel at the heart of the controversy is part of a series critical of Israeli policy toward the Palestinians. It bears repeating that it is not the pro-Palestinian stance which is at question here. It is only the final panel, which by implication equated the Israelis with the Nazis, which triggered the ADKH protest.
We do not accuse the cartoonist Latuff of antisemitism, although we believe that he had not fully considered the moral implications of the cartoon panel at the time of its posting, and we believe he has not yet shown any real understanding of the core complaint against him. He boasts of "having struck a nerve"; he has, but not the one he thinks.
In particular, we must explicitly reject as repugnant the rhetorical device of equating Israeli policy with Nazism, a hyperbolic comparison that is at best tasteless, deeply offensive to most Jews and Germans, and historically untenable. The Nazi "Final Solution" killed nearly one third of the world's Jewish population within half a dozen years; the AKDH is not wrong to assert that such ground should be tread lightly. We accept that their motivation comes not from a desire to stifle criticism of Israel, as has been alleged, but as a genuine cri de coeur.
Nevertheless, the mission of the IMC movement requires that free speech must prevail. IMC Switzerland exercised sound moral judgement in deprecating but not removing the cartoon. We feel that this is a perfectly acceptable solution.
We call upon the AKDH in friendship to reconsider their suit against IMC Switzerland. Proceeding against the IMC would be, we strongly believe, ineffective or even counterproductive. The Latuff panel is, ultimately, too insignificant to merit the closing of IMC Switzerland. Given its international nature, the Internet cannot be purged of all expressions of antisemitism -- or any other type of insanity. But the Internet also allows for new opportunities for education and bridge-building, and we find it more productive to concentrate our energies there.
We send all our best wishes to IMC Switzerland in hopes that their site will soon rejoin IMCs throughout the world, giving voice to the voiceless.
For more information:
http://www.ucimc.org/front.php3?article_id...
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The so-called "support" letter seems to be little more than politely worded equivocation. What about those of us who +DO+ view the oppression of Palestinians as being indeed very similar to the Nazi treatment of Jews? For example:
*constant monitoring and control of the basic movements of Palestinians;
*openly pursued assassination of dissidents;
*use of overwhelming lethal military force against civilians;
*scapegoating of Palestinians as if such conflicts occurred exclusively due to one (out of many) side's actions;
*dismissal of criticism of Israeli policy by jingoistic rhetoric which seeks to destroy the crystal-clear distinction between anti-Zionism and anti-semitism...
Has the Israeli state manages to set up full-fledged death-camps where Palestinians are methodically killed in mass executions?
No, it hasn't. However, if things must reach THAT level before the current obvious similarities between Nazi treatment of Jews and Israeli state treatment of Palestinians will be honestly recognized by Zionists (or those like the writers of the letter of "support"), then such a stance represents exactly the kind of mass complicity and denial which indeed pave the way for "final solutions."
The Zionists were in fact nowhere to be found when it came to resisting the Holocaust. Regardless of political ideology, it is understood by most of the Jewish Community that it was the Red Army of the Soviet Union that literally saved our lives, as the turning point of WW2 was the Battle of Stalingrad and it was the Red Army that arrived in Berlin first.
In addition to the connection of Israel to Nazi Germany which does exist, the anti-Semitism which exists here in the US and has been expressed on Independent Media must be condemned and removed to "Hidden Articles." We had a series by some outfit claiming to represent Latinos, which spewed forth anti-Semitism since they wanted to be the capitalist representatives of the Latino population, and not the Zionists, although both support capitalism. I do not believe they represent Latinos; I believe they represent one of the many fascist groups we have in the US.
There is a vast difference between asking an article be removed or moved to a different section and shutting down a website. The Zionists must be condemened for this censorship and for their torture and murder of the Palestinian people, and theft of their homes and orchards, all with American tax dollars.
Why should more radical IMCs, like SF, have friendly relations with these scumbags?
At the Feb. 24 meeting of the U-C IMC Steering Group we consented to write a letter of support for the Switzerland IMC as the Steering Group. In the course of the week the person who had brought the issue to the group and who agreed to write the letter asked another person, gehrig, to do it. That is the letter you see above.
The Steering Group was not informed about this change, and a draft of the letter was not circulated before it was posted. When I saw it here I was surprised.
At today's Steering Meeting we addressed the fact that the letter does not speak in the name of the entire U-C IMC and that the Steering Group did not indeed actually consent to the entirety of this letter, since it carries more commentary than simple solidarity with the Swiss IMC.
However, it is also true that the cat is out of the bag, so to speak. The letter now lives on the Internet and cannot be recalled or edited to suit our actual lack of consensus. While several of us are uncomfortable with the letter--all for varying reasons--we also seemed to agree that there was little to be gained in trying to change it or issue a clarification, retraction or rewrite. It would be an exercise in futility and our energies would be better spent on many other activities.
It is my hope that the U-C IMC, its working groups and its members will be known for their actions and not just one letter that really wasn't written with full consent in the first place. As a founding member of the U-C IMC I would prefer look forward to what we can do to further the cause of independent progressive media and how we can help extend the power of media to the oppressed peoples of the world rather than worry over this letter.
Any assumption people make about who is at the U-C IMC is merely an assumption until they've made the trip and stayed a while. Yes, this is a University town, but no, we are not a university IMC.
There is no full consensus of political position at the U-C IMC, as there is none in the IMC mov't as a whole. Its diversity, transparency and openness to dissent and debate are its strengths. In the end this letter expresses the opinion of one member.
The U-C IMC is open to everyone, and anyone may come in and take part in any meeting. Consensus includes everyone in attendance, not just members. If you wish a new or different statement to be written, please join us and help us write it. Steering Meetings happen Sundays, Noon, 218 W. Main ST., Urbana, IL. Until then, I've got work to do.
Back to the discussion. Israeli advocate are quick to call any critic a Nazi. But, when they get called Nazis it is anti-Semitic. Jews like to keep reminding everyone about Nazi holocaust horrors. Yet, are critics of ethnic cleansing policies and targeted killings of Paletinians by right-wing Jews really Nazis?
Can any Israeli supporter prove that these critics have shovelled victims into furnaces, or done anything equally evil? Maybe they just hope to hide the truth about the murderous occupation by silencing free speech, as was done in Switzerland.
"Paul could have saved a bit of time. There is diversity at U-C IMC, so what. There is diversity at all IMC sites, so what. What would be more meaningful would be someone stepping up to the plate at U-C and simply condemn the thrust of that letter. It seems cowardly to me that no one there has done that. "
What does it matter whether I condemn it or not? I return your "So what?"
Frankly, I don't think this letter means much at all. However, it seems that many people want to make it so, which is why I wish to let people know that it does not represent us.
So what if I step up to the plate and say "I disagree?" Does that change what the U-C IMC does? Does it change the fact that this IMC has been instrumental in helping the Nigerian IMC get set up? Does it change the fact that the U-C IMC helped the Mobile I project get going? Does it change the fact that the U-C IMC produces a weekly radio show, a monthly newspaper, hosts community groups of all kinds at our space and raises funds for the whole network?
No. What I think doesn't make a difference. My endorsement or condemnation doesn't make a difference. However, I think my actions do make a difference. If you'd like to judge me, please come here to Urbana and see me in action. If you'd like to judge the Urbana IMC, then please come here and see us. I don't know what you'd think, but if all that matters to you is this letter and any fleeting response to it, then why should anyone care what you think?
It's too fucking easy to spout off endorsements or condemnations on the Internet for that to be a sign of bravery or cowardice. Posting to Indymedia or a message board can't realistically be a sign of either.
Paul, I think you need to wake up and smell the roses. As far as the mobile-i project goes, the on-going controversy about funding and transparency is just getting good. And there are plenty of radio shows & monthly newspapers put out by liberal organizations --- but Indymedia is not supposed to be a liberal bureaucrat showcase.
If you don't understand the implicit hierarchies of racism, imperialism, classism embodied in UC-IMC's statement, then you need to start questioning your assumptions even more fundamentally. The statement by UC-IMC is a fucking disgrace, and it spits on the efforts of people everywhere to make a real revolutionary change in what is going on here and in occupied Palestine.
There are those in the indymedia network who have their eye on the creeping liberalism, on the push for cabal style funding dispersement, and the tendency to be vague or sit on the fence (or worse, promote rightwing bullshit like UC-IMC statement). If you feel like UC-IMC's reputation and standing with other IMCs can survive this latest bullshit, then dont say another word besides how it supposedly doesnt represent the whole collective. But if you want the honest truth, more and more people are wondering what the fuck is going on in Urbana Champaign.
Anyone could make a post on the SF IMC right now and purport to be speaking for the SF IMC. And who would know? They could post any fascist bullshit and then would the whole world think the SF IMC was run by fascists? Would then the whole SF IMC have to bust their collective asses running around the IMC network denouncing whatever was posted by someone who wasn't truly speaking for the collective?
Get a grip.
"If you don't understand the implicit hierarchies of racism, imperialism, classism embodied in UC-IMC's statement, then you need to start questioning your assumptions even more fundamentally. The statement by UC-IMC is a fucking disgrace..."
Who says I do or don't understand this? What have I said that says I do or don't understand that? Just because I won't be bullied into crowing doesn't mean that I do or don't understand it.
Most if not all of you don't know shit about Champaign-Urbana and are making all of your judgements regarding us based upon one single letter that purports to speak for us. Check your facts, come and meet us, then pass judgement.
On top of that, I am only one person, speaking for myself. I do not purport to represent the U-C IMC. I state the facts as I see them. I know the letter in question does not represent us. Past this point what does it matter?
My only purpose in posting here in the first place was to point out that the letter does not speak for the U-C IMC, not speak out on the matter myself. Nobody has asked what I think. Only assumptions have been made. Great way to build a movement.
Historical experience offers countless proofs of this. It shows with terrifying clarity that in every mingling of Aryan blood with that of lower peoples the result was the end of the cultured people. North America, whose population consists in by far the largest part of Germanic elements who mixed but little with the lower colored peoples, shows a different humanity and culture from Central and South America, where the predominantly Latin immigrants often mixed with the aborigines on a large scale. By this one example, we can clearly and distinctly recognize the effect of racial mixture. The Germanic inhabitant of the American continent, who has remained racially pure and unmixed, rose to be master of the continent; he will remain the master as long as he does not fall a victim to defilement of the blood.
The result of all racial crossing is therefore in brief always the following:
Lowering of the level of the higher race;
Physical and intellectual regression and hence the beginning of a slowly but surely progressing sickness.
To bring about such a development is, then, nothing else but to sin against the will of the eternal creator.
Repeat: no decision was made. The supposed U-C IMC IS NOT A STATEMENT FROM U-C IMC! Do these words not actually make sense to people, or is it just too much fun getting pissed about the letter than y'all forget that it's just one person's fucking opinion. Are you responsible for all your friends', colleagues' and comrades' opinions?
If you don't like the statement, take it up with the author. Make your comments, critiques however and wherever you like. Just understand one thing-- the statement is one person's opinion, not the U-C IMC's. The U-C IMC did not make this statement. If I repeat this 20 more times will it sink in?
I cannot and will not speak for the U-C IMC or anyone else but myself. I, myself, do not like nor agree with the statement. I do not consent to it or endorse it. So whoever has a problem with the statement does not have a problem with me nor the U-C IMC because we did not write it nor consent to it. You have a problem with one author.
Want to know what others from the U-C IMC care about what's written in the letter? Ask them. Likely nobody but me is lurking 'round on the SF IMC newswire. Don't expect them to come to you and volunteer for interrogation.
Yes, every IMC and every global IMC process must be transparent. The U-C IMC is very transparent -- all meetings are held in an accessible public space. Everyone can participate. All of our mailing lists are open and archived.
I don't know anything about the status of the Chumbawumba money, and I don't know anything about global support for Swiss IMC. I do know that all relevant mailing lists are available at http://lists.indymedia.org and anyone can join and pipe up.
We are all working for IMC, if you think U-C IMC isn't, then why don't you find out actually what we are and are not doing give us a hand and show us the way?
Again, most if not all of you don't know shit about the U-C IMC, and apparently what you do know is wrong. But, ah , yes, you know everything from one erroneous letter that doesn't represent who it claims to represent. But it's much easier to assume from one fucking post and go off from there than it is to ask questions, investigate and actually find things out. Too much work.
Good luck.
Talk about assumptions. How do you know what we know about UC-IMC? I would gather that given your naive comments about mobile-i, it is you who need to understand more about UC-IMC and its relationships with the rest of the Indymedia community.
And if this is *not* an official statement from UC-IMC, maybe UC-IMC should make a statement indicating this. Because as far as I am concerned, you are just some wingbat who wants to make UC-IMC look good for its zionist bullshit. Just because *you* say it is not an official statement it isnt?
Either way, it seems that no one from UC-IMC cares that this was put out from them. All we get are excuses and a statement which is ambiguous about critical political issues.
Then we'll know for sure who's a genuine anarchist revolutionary and who's a running dog of the Zionist imperialist capitalist state, with sprinkles on top.
I suggest we use Nessie's head as a puck, since he's not using it for anything.