The Women's March and Anti-Semitism

The leaders of the Women's March need to take a good, hard look in the mirror and consider their own biases before they can legitimately galvanize women to confront and condemn injustices perpetrated by others.

Concerns about anti-Semitism permeating their leadership ranks are real and must be addressed. Their association with the Nation of Islam's Louis Farrakhan, who has historically made racist comments regarding Jews, is disturbing, and their failure to denounce anti-Semitism is disconcerting. Their misgivings and marginalization of their Jewish colleague raises legitimate questions about possible prejudice.

While recently at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, I was reminded of the integral role American Jews played in the civil rights movement, and how they stood alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1963 March on Washington and 1965 March on Selma, Alabama. We desperately need to harken back to a time when Jews and African-Americans stood together to protest injustice.

As anti-Semitism in the U.S. increases, the Women's March should reassess its affiliation with controversial anti-Semitic figures and ascertain how different communities can unite toward a common goal. Achieving social change is important, but acknowledging one's own personal imperfections and partialities prior to doing so is paramount.