Religion, Nationalism, and Terror

Richard Silverstein, Politics and Prose Owner Re-Invites Makdisi, Tikun Olam, June 5, 2008

Yesterday, I posted about a D.C. independent bookstore owner, Carla Cohen, who disinvited Palestinian-American author, Saree Makdisi from an author appearance. She claimed she could never be “taken seriously” if she allowed an advocate of a one-state solution to speak at her store. Besides my blog post objecting to her rejection, I wrote her an e mail in which among other things I called her a “wimp” (and believe me that was the strongest language I used). Unfortunately, the information I was provided and on which I based my post was out of date.

Ms. Cohen wrote back today that she had reconsidered her decision. Since she wrote vaguely I called the store to confirm that Makdisi has been reinvited and they are waiting for his confirmation. This is all to the good and Cohen deserves credit for recognizing her mistake and correcting it.

But I was troubled by her reply to me:

Your letter is so rude that it makes me wish that I had not reconsidered my position. If you are the kind of      “enlightened liberal” I am supposed to emulate, spare me. I was wrong, but your email is beyond insulting.

I want to tell you that the letters from Palestinians were polite and well thought out (unlike your ephitets and name calling). I have made an effort to answer them as they deserve.