Ready for a new edition of Great Minds? This year, we're starting with the book Jews, Whites and Us; Toward a Politics of Revolutionary Love by Houria Bouteldja.
We are starting a new edition in the Great Minds series. This time, we have chosen a book that aligns with the wishes of our NEWConnective community. Whites, Jews and Us is a book that we find very relevant, but which will also spark necessary and interesting discussions.
What are we reading?
Whites, Jews and Us is an anti-colonialist text that appeals to left-wing Jewish people from Europe. It discusses their role in the systematic exclusion of “non-white” people and how they contribute to white supremacy. The essay is a call to left-wing Jewish people to take a critical look at their relationship to whiteness and European history. It is a call for unity in the face of oppression.
This book criticizes the hypocrisy of the Western progressive left while simultaneously looking at identity theories, colonialism, and the position of white people and Jewish people with regard to other minorities. The book and its author have been contested and has even been called anti-Semitic by various critics, while others describe it as an eye opener worthy of an academic dialogue.
What is the event?
In each session, we will read a few pages from this important book. Don't worry, you don't need to prepare anything! We will select the pages and bring them with us. At 4:00 p.m., we will have a short walk-in in 3D with coffee, tea, and cookies. Once we are seated, we will briefly introduce the event, the author, and the text for that day. Then we will get to work and read and discuss the text together; what strikes you? What appeals to you—or doesn't? We will exchange ideas, and around 5:30 p.m. we will conclude the session.
Where is 3D?
You can find the entrance to 3D on the campus square, next to the Spar supermarket. It has 3D in lights in the window, and a big gnome on the steps that lead to the door.
Who is NEWConnective?
This event is organised by NEWConnective. NEWConnective organises events around life's bigger questions. We engage with themes like grief, spirituality, and much more. Find out more on our website (vu.nl/newconnective) or on our socials (@newconnective). If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out via email to newconnective@vu.nl.