Making Sense with Sam Harris cover image

Making Sense with Sam Harris

#173 — Anti-Semitism and Its Discontents

Oct 28, 2019
Bari Weiss, a staff writer and editor at the New York Times and author of "How to Fight Antisemitism," joins for a thought-provoking discussion on the multiple strands of anti-Semitism. They explore the historical context of anti-Jewish sentiment in the U.S., influenced by figures like Charles Coughlin. Weiss reflects on the Tree of Life shooting and the complexities of identity politics. They also tackle the controversial Great Replacement Theory and its implications on cultural discourse, highlighting the urgent need to understand and combat these issues.
28:05

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The podcast discusses the three main strands of anti-Semitism: right wing, left wing, and Islamic, exploring the different motivations and ideologies that drive each form.
  • White supremacist hatred towards Jews is unique, with white supremacists perceiving Jews as a linchpin in a larger conspiracy, tricking real white people while allegedly aiding black, brown, immigrant, and Muslim communities.

Deep dives

The Three Poles of Anti-Semitism

In this podcast episode, the host and guest discuss the three main strands of anti-Semitism: right wing, left wing, and Islamic. They explore the different motivations and ideologies that drive each form of anti-Semitism, highlighting the distinction between anti-Semitism and other forms of racism. The discussion delves into the great replacement theory, a key concept in right wing anti-Semitism, which posits that Jews are seen as a threat to white Christian America. They also touch upon the historical roots of anti-Semitism in the US, including figures like Charles Coughlin and the prevalence of attacks on synagogues.

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