Dissent and Democracies

W.J. Astore Dissent is fundamental to democracy. Or so we claim. Until such dissent makes us angry or uncomfortable. Then we yell at the dissenter to shut up; better yet, we denounce him or her as a traitor to … well, whatever fits. But responsible criticism of the actions of one’s government is not disloyalty;…

“What’s a Nice Jewish American Boy to Do?”

Richard Sahn When I was in the middle of my Bar Mitzvah celebration at age thirteen in Brooklyn the furthest thing from my mind was that fifty seven years later I would find myself highly critical of Israel–specifically, the Israeli government–the refuge for European Jews after the Holocaust. I’m fortunate, or maybe unfortunate, to have…

The Contrary Perspective

Provocative views on politics, society, and the state of humanity

Tag Archives: Jewish identity

Dissent and Democracies

“What’s a Nice Jewish American Boy to Do?”