Really good introduction to antisemitism, from its origins in early Christianity through to today. Lots to think about in its coverage of antisemitism on the left (see Bebel's 'socialism of fools'), including the easy tendency to contrast financial capitalism with a more productivist capitalism. Sensitive handling of the controversy around Corbyn's Labour Party. Good coverage of links between antisemitism and anti-Communism, including how William Lind generated the spectre of 'Cultural Marxism' in 2012 to replace the defunct fear of the Soviet Union. Explains well how White Nationalism and the Christian Right use antisemitism, especially as part of conspiracy theories. Probably the most challenging part (both to read and, presumably, to write) concerns Israel/Palestine and Zionism (including the world of Christian Zionism). I think they did a good job of tackling this, and it's certainly left me with lots to think about. The remaining quarter or so of the book concerns how we fight antisemitism, especially in a way that ties it in with other battles.
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pdotb finished reading Radical Friendship by Kate Johnson
Radical Friendship by Kate Johnson
A case for friendship as a radical practice of love, courage, and trust, and seven strategies that pave the way …
pdotb finished reading Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories by Haruki Murakami
Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories by Haruki Murakami, Jay Rubin
"This fantastically varied and exciting collection celebrates the great Japanese short story, from its modern origins in the nineteenth century …
pdotb started reading Health Communism by Beatrice Alder-Bolton
Health Communism by Beatrice Alder-Bolton, Artie Vierkant
A searing analysis of health and illness under capitalism from hosts of the hit podcast “Death Panel”
In this …
pdotb finished reading Safety Through Solidarity by Shane Burley
Safety Through Solidarity by Shane Burley, Ben Lorber
Two activist journalists present a progressive, intersectional approach to the vital question: What can we do about antisemitism?
Antisemitism …
pdotb reviewed Safety Through Solidarity by Shane Burley
Two activist journalists present a progressive, intersectional approach to the vital question: What can we …
I learned so much
5 stars
Content warning antisemitism
pdotb started reading Radical Friendship by Kate Johnson
Radical Friendship by Kate Johnson
A case for friendship as a radical practice of love, courage, and trust, and seven strategies that pave the way …
pdotb finished reading The eight gates of Zen by John Daido Loori
"This fantastically varied and exciting collection celebrates the great Japanese short story, from its modern …
This, then, was the scene that had lived in the fondest part of my memory for so many years. In none of its details had I found anything to wonder at. And then one day -- in fact, just two or three days ago -- as I was gazing blankly at the view from my window, it struck me with such force that, for a moment, I was unable to breathe. Peaches in the winter? Frogs and mud snails in the winter? How could I have failed to notice that until now? And, stranger still, what had inspired me -- possessed me -- at this one moment to seize upon the vital clue? For it was this that lay bare the hoax that memory had played on me year after year. Now, for the first time, I saw the wildly impossible connection that memory had made: carting a load of peaches on a cold winter night! Nowadays, perhaps. But back then? Unthinkable.
— Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories by Haruki Murakami, Jay Rubin (Page 193)
Wonderful reflection on the nature of memory, by Abe Akira
"This fantastically varied and exciting collection celebrates the great Japanese short story, from its modern …
For his part, my father would have found it a stain on the family honour were his son to become known as a reporter or a clerk or a servant or some other lowly worker. 'Fortunately we have a spare room,' he said, 'and food. You can just live here quietly and keep to yourself.' With that, he brought the discussion to a close.
— Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories by Haruki Murakami, Jay Rubin (Page 70)
Living the dream...
pdotb started reading Safety Through Solidarity by Shane Burley
Safety Through Solidarity by Shane Burley, Ben Lorber
Two activist journalists present a progressive, intersectional approach to the vital question: What can we do about antisemitism?
Antisemitism …
pdotb started reading The eight gates of Zen by John Daido Loori
pdotb finished reading Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis by David Loye
Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis by David Loye
How can we respond urgently and effectively to the ecological crisis—and stay sane doing it?
This landmark work is …
How can we respond urgently and effectively to the ecological crisis—and stay sane doing it?
…Lots to like, but with reservations
4 stars
Content warning climate crisis
Preceding quote aside, I really liked this. Good discussion of the climate emergency, but in the context of the other environmental crises, especially extinctions. Also does a good job of tying in the intersection with social justice concerns. Somewhat critical of capitalism, if not as much as I'd like :) Particularly good on the failures of mainstream Western Buddhism to deal with wider issues, commenting that it can be overly concerned with individual transformation, not structural, and quotes Loyal Rue talking of "cosmological dualism" and "individual salvation". Comments that socially-engaged Buddhism of all sorts really struggles to get support, both people and money. Reminded me a little of reading "McMindfulness". While there's lots to like here, I was disappointed to see no footnotes and no bibliography, which feels weird in a book that leans on, and even cites liberally, the work of others. Also not bowled over by some of the quotes. Maybe I'm overly judgemental, but I think we can write a book about Buddhism and just skip over Chogham Trungpa, and seeing a Paul Kingsnorth quote is always particularly jarring.
How can we respond urgently and effectively to the ecological crisis—and stay sane doing it?
…Content warning ableism
When we realize that the world is a mutual, interdependent, cooperative enterprise, that human beings are all mutual friends in the process of birth, old age, suffering, and death, then we can build a noble, even a heavenly environment. If our lives are not based on this truth then we'll all perish. Our species has never been separate, just (as Thomas Berry puts it) "autistic".
— Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis by David Loye (Page 115)
Ugh. Beautiful quote from Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, and then... that.