Letter

In response to How the Royal Commission should define antisemitism

Gareth Evans defines what offends others

Gareth Evans joins many other non-Jews is defining what is and isn’t free speech and offensive. And like other non-Jews, he will never in his life experience or be subjected to antisemitism. Would Evans prescribe what is and isn’t homophobic and/or racist? I doubt it. Some of my LBGTIQ+ friends say things to each other that would be an offence if others said them. It’s their right to do this, as we see in America where black people have reclaimed the most racist and offensive or white vilification words.

Evans and co don’t get it; they have no right to define antisemitism for Jewish people; just as white people [in powerful elite positions] shouldn’t be claiming which words and slogans are, and aren’t, acceptable to say to black people.

— Simon Tatz from Melbourne