Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

[Thinking about calls for 'civility', and how that is and isn't a form of tone-policing, and why "just object more politely" does not work. And then this example of a call for civility crossed my screen: The New York Times, 1934-06-15. ( text and page image | image at NYT, for subscribers)]

Wernersville, PA., June 14 -- Good will, not hate or reprisals, will end, or offset, the evils of the Hitler government's persecution of Jews, Professor Henry J. Cadbury, Professor of Biblical Literature at Bryn Mawr College, told the Central Conference of American Rabbis as it opened its convention here today.

[...]

"By hating Hitler and trying to fight back, Jews are only increasing the severity of his policies against them."

"If Jews throughout the world try to instill into the minds of Hitler and his supporters recognition of the ideals for which the race stands, and if Jews appeal to the German sense of Justice and German national conscience, I am sure the problem will be solved more effectively and earlier than otherwise."

[...]

The boycott against German, he asserted, is not an effective means of meeting the evil.

"Boycotts are simply war without bloodshed," he said, "and war in any form is not they way to right the wrongs being inflicted on the Jewish people."

I don't think those who set themselves against you have to Be Hitler for the lesson here to apply. Yes, there are times to make one's case politely and entirely with reason, but there are also times when that is futile and the crisis too urgent.

BTW, there's also a followup article in the same paper, 1934-06-16, with the headline, "GOOD-WILL BARRED TO NAZIS BY RABBIS; Wise Leads Wave of Objection to Advice by Cadbury, of Society of Friends." I can't see the article because I'm not a subscriber, but the summary that is visible reads, "WERINERSVILLE, Pa., June 15. -- Rabbi Stephen S. Wise of New York today led a wave of objection to the advice of Professor Henry J. Cadbury of Bryn Mawr College to the convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis."