Indeed it may be only by risking the incoherence of identity that connection is possible.
Judith ButlerRead
Indeed, even if one believed that criticisms of Israel are by and large heard as anti-semitic (by Jews, anti-semites, or people who could be described as neither), it would become the responsibility of all of us to change the conditions of reception so that the public might begin to distinguish between criticism of Israel and a hatred of Jews.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the need to differentiate between legitimate criticism of Israel and anti-Semitism.
Judith Butler's quote speaks to the importance of clarifying the distinction between criticism aimed at the policies of the state of Israel and the broader, harmful stereotypes that constitute anti-Semitism. It calls for societal responsibility in fostering an environment where such distinctions can be accurately made, thereby reducing the conflation of legitimate political discourse with prejudice against the Jewish community.
Themes
CriticismIsraelAnti-SemitismResponsibilityPublic Discourse
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about international relations, one might refer to this quote to highlight the need for nuanced conversations.
More from Judith Butler
All quotes →When we say gender is performed, we usually mean that we've taken on a role or we're acting in some way and that our acting or our role playing is crucial to the gender that we are and the gender that we present to the world.
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It's my view that gender is culturally formed, but it's also a domain of agency or freedom and that it is most important to resist the violence that is imposed by ideal gender norms, especially against those who are gender different, who are nonconforming in their gender presentation.
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I do not deny certain kinds of biological differences. But I always ask under what conditions, under what discursive and institutional conditions, do certain biological differences - and they're not necessary ones, given the anomalous state of bodies in the world - become the salient characteristics of sex.
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Sexual harassment law is very important. But I think it would be a mistake if the sexual harassment law movement is the only way in which feminism is known in the media.
Judith ButlerRead
We act and walk and speak and talk in ways that consolidate an impression of being a man or being a woman.
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