Oh I agree with you 100%. I didn't mean to sound like I'm discounting the rise of BHI and NOI talking points in liberal circles. At all. You're more than correct in pointing it out. They're doing a great job of filtering their message through the lens of "Black empowerment". Which I think is so wrong and predatory, because they know the challenges faced by Black Americans, historically and cultural (we won't dive into everything here as I'm sure we're probably equally well-read on the subject) and they prey on their longing for a sense of community to influence and infiltrate.

Also, I know what you mean regarding the "truther" comments and questions. I try to see where it's coming from and if it's true ignorance and curiosity, I educate. I know it's not our "responsibility" but I feel like we should. Just because there's so much information and Jews sometimes tend to be insular and that can be seen as "hiding something" to an outsider. That's just my perspective though.

And you're right, in that we must guard against legitimate concerns being highjacked by people with nefarious intentions. Honestly I look at the anti-Zionist/Jew movement on the extreme Left (and creeping into some more mainstream circles) and pro-Zionism on the Right as a war between extremist White and Black nationalists. Both use Jews as a pawn in their ideology but in truth don't really care about us as a people, per se.

Like the Right wing Christian extremists who only support Israel because 1. there are White Jews/racism against a majority Brown people, although there are also White Palestinians (but the perception is otherwise). 2. They think Jesus is the messiah and will only return if Israel has been established. 3. They think Jewish people will be forcefully "saved by the Gospel".

Just a thought. What do you think? I know I kinda took it in another direction but I'm curious.

As a person of color, it isn't any better. It's actually pretty fucking embarrassing to tell you the truth. You've hit the nail on the head. Elijah Muhammad was created by the ideology of Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis, but he's cut from the same cloth and would have likely engaged in retaliatory actions had he had the power to do so. This is TERRIBLE as a NY'er. I'm surprised there wasn't more uproar. This is why history is important. People might not really know who he is.

I'm Jewish but I'm pretty anti-Zionist (as it pertains to the geopolitical aspect and humanity crisis there currently), as are some major Jewish sects (including here in NYC and in Israel, was wild as it sounds). That being said, there definitely is a small minority in the left that is anti-Jewish. I share your hesitation as well with self identifying, because often times my appearance sometimes makes people feel comfortable saying borderline comments and I have to check them. So I completely understand your "pause for cause".

The NOI and Black "Hebrew Israelites" can hardly be called leftists though, just based on what I know of their ideology. It's very conservative in nature. Mainstream leftism is very pro-minority and pro-Jewish, however within the extremes there's ALWAYS an issue. Although, I'd argue they're Right Wingers, just unaligned with the Republicans, unless someone has a better understanding of their politics (I'm genuinely interested, I'm not being snarky).

I do want to caution against the motion that anyone who isn't a Jew that's anti-Zionism, is somehow antisemitic. The two concepts are not mutually exclusive, although great marketing by the Zionist lobby tries to link the two. I think there's a way to be anti-Israel, as it currently exists (either from a religious perspective or a human rights perspective), and still be pro-Jewish people.

LMFAO that's hilarious. These guys are the freaking worst. How does everyone hate you. The Democrats see you for the Republican that you are and the Republicans hate you because you won't go full R. And everyone hates you because you're incompetent as fuck.