Should the Women's March organizers disavow anti-Semitism?

The activist left is arguing after one of the Women's March organizers attended a speech given by Nation of Islam leader and virulent anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan. Farrakhan called out Tamika Mallory by name in his speech, and she posted photos with him on social media afterwards. Critics say Mallory and her fellow organizers Carmen Perez and Linda Sarsour need to disavow Farrakhan, but others say calling them anti-Semites is an unfair smear and an effort to divide allies. What do you think?

THE VOTES ARE IN!

#DisavowFarrakhanNow

86.1%

#LeaveTamikaAlone

13.9%

Farrakhan isn't just anti-Semitic: he's homophobic, transphobic and misogynistic as well. What are the leaders of a supposedly inclusive and intersectional feminist movement doing associating themselves with him? Especially given the massive uptick in anti-Semitic violence in America, many argue disavowing Farrakhan should be a no-brainer, and are disturbed that Mallory, Perez and Sarsour refuse to do so.

We wanted something that most thought would be pretty simple for a bunch of women who spend their days parading around their intersectionality: We wanted them to denounce anti-Semitism and the words Farrakhan said against Jews. This isn’t a new thing; after all, we ask public figures to denounce awful people and hate speech all the time.

As Diane Alston noted, there are Black Jews who are more directly impacted by Farrakhan’s words, not to mention Black members of the LGBTQ community and other groups who’ve been targeted by the Nation of Islam leader in the past. What do the Women’s March leaders say to them?

https://www.refinery29.com/2018/03/192463/anti-semitism-womens-march-jewish-community-reaction-essay

Why is it so hard for them to say his anti-Semitism and bigotry are wrong and contrary to their movement?

When the Million Man March took place, I was studying abroad in London. A family member asked me whether I would have attended. I said no. My reasoning at the time remains the same today: I never want to associate myself with Louis Farrakhan, in any way. This isn’t difficult.
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) March 4, 2018

Critics are calling the organizers hypocrites for refusing to take a stand.

Louis Farrakhan is a disgrace to the black community. I do not claim him and if you refuse to let his bigoted ass go because of his contributions to *some* in the black community, you do not deserve to call yourself an activist and should be ashamed of yourself.
— diane alston (@dianelyssa) March 3, 2018

But some have stood up for Mallory and the other organizers, saying it's unfair to hold audience members responsible for everything that is said by a speaker.

I never said it was. I’m saying we can’t go around calling folks anti Semitic who are not. I’m NO Farrakhan supporter. But Tamika is my friend & I won’t sit silently while folks ascribe labels to her that don’t apply. I agree she should speak up to address this & believe she will https://t.co/7j5lQIMt2l
— Symone D. Sanders (@SymoneDSanders) March 2, 2018

The lies people tell about us can be hard to handle. I’ve been there. @TamikaDMallory is a world class leader and an even better woman and mother and friend to many.

This notion that she is anti-Semitic is not just a lie, it’s lazy.

Your lies won’t work.
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) March 2, 2018

But many activists say the Women's March leaders need to step up and own their error. Bigotry isn't what you say or think: it's what you do, and it's the choices you make.

Relieved to see someone defending the important "my friends" exception to racism
— . (@replicaofself) March 5, 2018

I don't think Tamika or Linda hate gays, Jews or trans people. But we criticize conservative leaders when they champion right-wing hatemongers like Falwell etc. I don't see why we can't expect feminist leaders to reject who Farrakhan is and what he stands for.
— Jill Filipovic (@JillFilipovic) March 3, 2018

Another Women's March organizer decried Farrakhan and his bigotry, but argued there needs to be more nuance in how the situation is being discussed.

For the last year, I have spent time deeply listening to Black women and communities, particularly those suffering from poverty, addiction or incarceration. I consistently hear stories of the Nation of Islam being there when was no else cared.
— Bob Bland (@bobblanddesign) March 5, 2018

.@TamikaDMallory being held directly accountable for the words of any man is misogynistic and doesn’t take into account her tireless work over the last 20 years, or her own words in support of Jewish and LGBTIAQ+ communities.
— Bob Bland (@bobblanddesign) March 5, 2018

Should the Women's March organizers disavow anti-Semitism?

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