Holding Nuance Amidst Discomfort

It's impossible to Confront Hate Together if we don't confront the biases within ourselves

Writer's Note: This essay reflects my perspective and experiences with Confronting Hate Together. The views expressed here are entirely my own.

Earlier this week, the Washington State Jewish Historical (WSJHS) released a statement about the Confronting Hate Together partnership and its dissolution. I have been a part of the project since January and I would like to share my thoughts on it.

When the staff at the Wing Luke Museum objected to the exhibit just before its opening, I initially disagreed with the claims that their actions were antisemitic. I was hurt that my partners—people I knew to be dedicated to justice—were being accused in this way. I wanted to believe that the museum staff’s actions were driven by a passion for social justice rather than hatred.

But as the situation unfolded, I grew increasingly sad. The museum staff’s refusal to engage with the Jewish community before going public with their grievances, and their subsequent actions on social media, have been deeply harmful to the Jewish community—my community. Their language held all Jews responsible for the actions of the Israeli government, which is wrong and unfair.

By taking to social media instead of engaging in face-to-face conversations, the humanity in this situation was stripped away. Social media has reduced a deeply complicated issue to black-and-white statements, leaving no room for nuance or understanding.

I now believe that this fallout was inevitable, given the deep divisions within our communities. Throughout this process, I witnessed biases on all sides. It was disheartening to see these prejudices come to the surface, especially in a project meant to bridge divides. We can’t Confront Hate Together if we haven’t first confronted the biases within ourselves.

What makes this even more frustrating is that these internal conflicts distract us from the real work that needs to be done: confronting the systems that perpetuate inequality, violence, and marginalization like white supremacy, patriarchy, and capitalism.

I’m grateful for the relationships I’ve built through this experience, but the pain and frustration remain. If you’ve made it to the end of this post, thank you for reading. I hope it encourages you to practice curiosity and mindfulness to hold space for multiple truths.