Thank you for this open reflection and this call for us to take in all of what Noam Chomsky has meant to so many.
There have been many times when I have questioned Chomsky’s decision around say the endorsement of holocaust denier, Ernst Zundel for example. But the thinking behind it has helped me to be less reactionary and always more questioning than absolutely certain. Chomsky has sent me deep diving for some aspect of truth - which is hard to come by in this world of manufactured consent.
Here’s a story: a group of us in rural Ontario were working on a solidarity project with East Timorese. Noam Chomsky heard about it and offered to come to Peterborough and help us to raise the voices of the East Timorese. And he came. Free of charge. To speak to our community. That has stayed with me all these years.
I refuse to cancel in this atmosphere of manufacturing consent around the badness of Noam Chomsky. Especially without any knowledge of the context and no evidence that he endorsed anything that was playing out under Jeffrey Epstein.
I have loved NoamChomsky for his analysis and not because he was a paragon of virtue.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful balanced analysis of what is going on in relation to Chomsky’s presence in the Epstein files.
I am an admirer of his and I was shocked too and found myself feeling very disappointed. I then felt a sense of relief in joining the crowd who dismiss his wisdom. But the relief did not last: how can one dismiss a man who wrote so bravely about what is really going on in the face of ever increasing censorship because of a few photos and contacts with Bannon and Epstein?
Perhaps, he wanted to understand what makes such men tick. (I certainly would as I explore the origins of violence).
You remain his real friend and I thank you for helping me regain my trust and support for him.
It is amazing how powerful is our desire to be part of the crowd, be it good or not. I think that is what many of his defectors feel, the relief of being like the others. It’s lonely outside the group.
Thanks for the reply! Sadly, I think your final observation is on target for some of the reactions:
"It is amazing how powerful is our desire to be part of the crowd, be it good or not. I think that is what many of his defectors feel, the relief of being like the others. It’s lonely outside the group.." We sing, "hooray for our side," often with no attempt to understand much less address those on 'he other side.'
Another dimension of the situation is the desire to not be criticized, not be attacked, which keeps many people quiet in this type situation. Who wants to be called an enabler of rape culture, etc. just to express the view that something is other than some people assert.
Thank you for this open reflection and this call for us to take in all of what Noam Chomsky has meant to so many.
There have been many times when I have questioned Chomsky’s decision around say the endorsement of holocaust denier, Ernst Zundel for example. But the thinking behind it has helped me to be less reactionary and always more questioning than absolutely certain. Chomsky has sent me deep diving for some aspect of truth - which is hard to come by in this world of manufactured consent.
Here’s a story: a group of us in rural Ontario were working on a solidarity project with East Timorese. Noam Chomsky heard about it and offered to come to Peterborough and help us to raise the voices of the East Timorese. And he came. Free of charge. To speak to our community. That has stayed with me all these years.
I refuse to cancel in this atmosphere of manufacturing consent around the badness of Noam Chomsky. Especially without any knowledge of the context and no evidence that he endorsed anything that was playing out under Jeffrey Epstein.
I have loved NoamChomsky for his analysis and not because he was a paragon of virtue.
Hello Stephanie,
Thanks for the kind words. Noam didn't endorse Zundel. He only defended his, and everyone's, right to free speech.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful balanced analysis of what is going on in relation to Chomsky’s presence in the Epstein files.
I am an admirer of his and I was shocked too and found myself feeling very disappointed. I then felt a sense of relief in joining the crowd who dismiss his wisdom. But the relief did not last: how can one dismiss a man who wrote so bravely about what is really going on in the face of ever increasing censorship because of a few photos and contacts with Bannon and Epstein?
Perhaps, he wanted to understand what makes such men tick. (I certainly would as I explore the origins of violence).
You remain his real friend and I thank you for helping me regain my trust and support for him.
It is amazing how powerful is our desire to be part of the crowd, be it good or not. I think that is what many of his defectors feel, the relief of being like the others. It’s lonely outside the group.
Thanks for the reply! Sadly, I think your final observation is on target for some of the reactions:
"It is amazing how powerful is our desire to be part of the crowd, be it good or not. I think that is what many of his defectors feel, the relief of being like the others. It’s lonely outside the group.." We sing, "hooray for our side," often with no attempt to understand much less address those on 'he other side.'
Another dimension of the situation is the desire to not be criticized, not be attacked, which keeps many people quiet in this type situation. Who wants to be called an enabler of rape culture, etc. just to express the view that something is other than some people assert.