- cross-posted to:
- nottheonion@lemmy.world
- cross-posted to:
- nottheonion@lemmy.world
CNN identified On as one of the attackers. His mother defended him, saying he was only defending himself. She confirmed he’s a senior at Beverly Hills High School and mentioned his intention to join the Israel Defense Forces.
As horrible as he is for attacking students with a dangerous weapon, one might think he is a good candidate for the IDF.
I’m kind of torn on the way this guy is being treated in the media because obviously what he did was horrendous and he should have known better and I hope he is put in prison for it, but not enough attention is being placed on his mother who said herself in her deleted post that she sent him down there.
Let me explain why I’m saying this- I’m Jewish. I was raised by a father who was fanatically pro-Israel. I was told by him and by other Jews my entire childhood that without Israel, the Holocaust would happen again. I don’t even blame my father. He grew up in London during World War II just waiting for the Nazis to invade and throw him in a concentration camp. It made him incredibly paranoid. But that paranoia moves down through the generation and becomes brainwashing.
This is the result of that same brainwashing, except this person actually believed their mother enough to take action against what he wrongly perceived as a threat.
It is possible for Jews to recognize Israel’s apartheid and genocide and condemn it and many Jews around the world are doing so, but it is really hard to break from 18 years of conditioning.
Many people have bad parents who “brainwash” them. They don’t all commit violent crimes against innocent victims. This guy was trying to instill fear to support a political position: that’s terrorism. If his mom supported Hamas and encouraged him to attack Jews, would you be so forgiving?
In what way am I forgiving? My very first sentence says included, “what he did was horrendous and he should have known better and I hope he is put in prison for it.”
Where’s the forgiveness?
Quite literally followed up with a “but”. Look at it this way, if I say “I’m not racist, but…”, then I’m still racist. You’re still downplaying actions that are legally defined as terrorism, by trying to paint him in a sympathetic light as a victim of his upbringing.
You misinterpreted it.
Thank you for sharing this personal account, Flying Squid. I hear you and this gives me a lot of food for thought.