In the runup to Thanksgiving, Women’s March leader Linda Sarsour tried to fend off the growing criticism of her embrace of Louis Farrakhan — without actually calling out his endless hate speech.
She did apologize, sort of, issuing a statement admitting, “We should have been faster and clearer in helping people understand our values and our commitment to fighting anti-Semitism. We regret that.”
She also insisted, “Every member of our movement matters to us — including our incredible Jewish and LGBTQ members. We are deeply sorry for the harm we have caused, but we see you, we love you, and we are fighting with you.”
But this was plainly an effort to get something on the record at a time when few were paying attention so that she could pretend she’s resolved the issue.
Sarsour’s hoping she can get away with dodging the specific problem: her refusal, and that of fellow march co-chair Tamika Mallory, to condemn the Nation of Islam leader who is a paragon of anti-Semitism, homophobia and hate.
The one who has said things like:
“The powerful Jews are my enemy,” “Don’t you forget when it’s God who puts you in the ovens, it’s forever” and “It’s the wicked Jews, the false Jews, that are promoting lesbianism, homosexuality. It’s the wicked Jews, false Jews, that make it a crime for you to preach the word of God, then they call you homophobic.”
Other Women’s March leaders have supported Sarsour and Mallory in the face of calls for them to directly condemn Farrakhan, prompting actress and #MeToo activist Alyssa Milano and others to call for the march leaders to condemn the hate or step down.
Last week Theresa Shook, the founder of the Women’s March, joined in, saying Sarsour & Co. have “allowed racist rhetoric to become a part of the platform by their refusal to separate themselves from groups that espouse these racist, hateful beliefs.”
That, Shook said, violates the “original vision and intent” of the march, namely “to show the capacity of human beings to stand in solidarity and love against the hateful rhetoric that had become a part of the political landscape in the US and around the world.”
Instead, Sarsour and Mallory have stood with hate by attending Farrakhan’s speeches. After one event in February, Mallory even posted a picture of herself with him, calling him “the GOAT” — the greatest of all time.
Until she apologizes for that — and condemns Farrakhan’s hate by name — Sarsour’s “apology” is just a wormy effort to have it both ways.