Comments for Richard Jeffrey Newman http://www.richardjnewman.com because it's all connected... Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:32:31 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky, Foreskin Man, Vulva Girl and the Two-Thirds of My Freshman Composition Class Who Are Failing Right Now by Richard Jeffrey Newman http://www.richardjnewman.com/2011/11/13/joe-paterno-jerry-sandusky-foreskin-man-vulva-girl-and-the-two-thirds-of-my-freshman-composition-class-who-are-failing-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-3292 Richard Jeffrey Newman Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:32:31 +0000 http://www.richardjnewman.com/?p=2470#comment-3292 Kelev: "I think Fore­skin Man has pro­vided a much-needed slap." About this we will have to agree to disagree. Kelev:

“I think Fore­skin Man has pro­vided a much-needed slap.”

About this we will have to agree to disagree.

]]> Comment on Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky, Foreskin Man, Vulva Girl and the Two-Thirds of My Freshman Composition Class Who Are Failing Right Now by Kelev http://www.richardjnewman.com/2011/11/13/joe-paterno-jerry-sandusky-foreskin-man-vulva-girl-and-the-two-thirds-of-my-freshman-composition-class-who-are-failing-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-3291 Kelev Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:04:22 +0000 http://www.richardjnewman.com/?p=2470#comment-3291 I'll check that out. Thanks for the recommendation. To be sure, there are plenty of us doing that kind of work among Jews, promoting things like Bris Shalom and appealing to Jewish ethics of peace and justice in order to end circumcision. It's the perennial debate in every circle of activism I've been involved in over the years (LGBTQ, environmental, peace work, etc.) whether to use "in your face" tactics, or to be gentle and respectful. Ultimately the answer is both. Foreskin Man has certainly generated discussion that may not have been possible without the controversy. There's a line in Proverbs somewhere about how we learn, sometimes with a stroke, sometimes with a slap. I think Foreskin Man has provided a much-needed slap. I’ll check that out. Thanks for the recommendation. To be sure, there are plenty of us doing that kind of work among Jews, promoting things like Bris Shalom and appealing to Jewish ethics of peace and justice in order to end circumcision. It’s the perennial debate in every circle of activism I’ve been involved in over the years (LGBTQ, environmental, peace work, etc.) whether to use “in your face” tactics, or to be gentle and respectful. Ultimately the answer is both. Foreskin Man has certainly generated discussion that may not have been possible without the controversy. There’s a line in Proverbs somewhere about how we learn, sometimes with a stroke, sometimes with a slap. I think Foreskin Man has provided a much-needed slap.

]]> Comment on Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky, Foreskin Man, Vulva Girl and the Two-Thirds of My Freshman Composition Class Who Are Failing Right Now by Richard Jeffrey Newman http://www.richardjnewman.com/2011/11/13/joe-paterno-jerry-sandusky-foreskin-man-vulva-girl-and-the-two-thirds-of-my-freshman-composition-class-who-are-failing-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-3290 Richard Jeffrey Newman Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:55:49 +0000 http://www.richardjnewman.com/?p=2470#comment-3290 Read a book called Half the Sky. There's a reason the people who've been most effective ending FGM in Africa are those who show respect for its cultural meaning, as opposed to those who demonize the practice and the people who practice it. Read a book called Half the Sky. There’s a reason the people who’ve been most effective ending FGM in Africa are those who show respect for its cultural meaning, as opposed to those who demonize the practice and the people who practice it.

]]> Comment on Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky, Foreskin Man, Vulva Girl and the Two-Thirds of My Freshman Composition Class Who Are Failing Right Now by Kelev http://www.richardjnewman.com/2011/11/13/joe-paterno-jerry-sandusky-foreskin-man-vulva-girl-and-the-two-thirds-of-my-freshman-composition-class-who-are-failing-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-3289 Kelev Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:40:59 +0000 http://www.richardjnewman.com/?p=2470#comment-3289 As to the narrow reading of "antisemitism", I would say that, broadly, antisemitism is intended to dehumanise Jews and Judaism. I would argue that Foreskin Man does not do this, or that even if it does, it forces us to reconsider what it means to be humane and to consider the humanity of the child being subjected to inhumane treatment. By depicting the mohel as the monster and the (Jewish) baby as a victim, it challenges us reinterpret the traditional interpretation of the bris that, by definition, dehumanises the baby. As to the narrow reading of “antisemitism”, I would say that, broadly, antisemitism is intended to dehumanise Jews and Judaism. I would argue that Foreskin Man does not do this, or that even if it does, it forces us to reconsider what it means to be humane and to consider the humanity of the child being subjected to inhumane treatment. By depicting the mohel as the monster and the (Jewish) baby as a victim, it challenges us reinterpret the traditional interpretation of the bris that, by definition, dehumanises the baby.

]]> Comment on Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky, Foreskin Man, Vulva Girl and the Two-Thirds of My Freshman Composition Class Who Are Failing Right Now by Kelev http://www.richardjnewman.com/2011/11/13/joe-paterno-jerry-sandusky-foreskin-man-vulva-girl-and-the-two-thirds-of-my-freshman-composition-class-who-are-failing-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-3287 Kelev Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:28:36 +0000 http://www.richardjnewman.com/?p=2470#comment-3287 Why is Hess any less "successful" than Rushdie, Serrano, South Park, or countless other artists whose work is regularly condemned as "racist", "hateful", "bigoted", etc? As a Jew, and as someone who also opposes circumcision, it speaks to me. I think every Jewish boy, at the moment he is having one of the most sensitive parts of his body cut, probably sees the mohel doing it as a "monster." A 7-day old boy doesn't have the language or the concept of course, but I am sure he has the sensation. As to the rest, the sexism, the racist exotification of African women, I think it's camp. Comic books have been doing that forever. They still do, especially where ethnic and racial issues are concerned. I don't think Hess is just following the tradition. I really do think he's playing with it, giving us a nudge and a wink, making fun of it as much (if not more) than he's using it. That's my take on it, at least. As to whether he has been "successful" or not, that's another question. I think I see what he's doing and it works for me. I don't think many people (most?) get it, though, so he could have been better about communicating his ideas and explaining them. perhaps he's being intentionally coy and provocative in order to stir controversy. He has certainly been successful in that. Why is Hess any less “successful” than Rushdie, Serrano, South Park, or countless other artists whose work is regularly condemned as “racist”, “hateful”, “bigoted”, etc? As a Jew, and as someone who also opposes circumcision, it speaks to me. I think every Jewish boy, at the moment he is having one of the most sensitive parts of his body cut, probably sees the mohel doing it as a “monster.” A 7-day old boy doesn’t have the language or the concept of course, but I am sure he has the sensation.

As to the rest, the sexism, the racist exotification of African women, I think it’s camp. Comic books have been doing that forever. They still do, especially where ethnic and racial issues are concerned. I don’t think Hess is just following the tradition. I really do think he’s playing with it, giving us a nudge and a wink, making fun of it as much (if not more) than he’s using it.

That’s my take on it, at least. As to whether he has been “successful” or not, that’s another question. I think I see what he’s doing and it works for me. I don’t think many people (most?) get it, though, so he could have been better about communicating his ideas and explaining them. perhaps he’s being intentionally coy and provocative in order to stir controversy. He has certainly been successful in that.

]]> Comment on Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky, Foreskin Man, Vulva Girl and the Two-Thirds of My Freshman Composition Class Who Are Failing Right Now by Richard Jeffrey Newman http://www.richardjnewman.com/2011/11/13/joe-paterno-jerry-sandusky-foreskin-man-vulva-girl-and-the-two-thirds-of-my-freshman-composition-class-who-are-failing-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-3286 Richard Jeffrey Newman Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:58:02 +0000 http://www.richardjnewman.com/?p=2470#comment-3286 Well, that is both a very narrow understanding of antisemitism and an argument that relies entirely on granting Hess the benefit of the doubt because of his intentions, which I have, frankly, no way of knowing. You have not presented an argument, based on a reading of the comic, as to why his parody--and I am granting you your understanding of his intentions--is successful. To me, it is not. And, just to be clear, in case you haven't read through my other posts about circumcision, I oppose both routine infant penile circumcision and Jewish circumcision. Well, that is both a very narrow understanding of antisemitism and an argument that relies entirely on granting Hess the benefit of the doubt because of his intentions, which I have, frankly, no way of knowing. You have not presented an argument, based on a reading of the comic, as to why his parody–and I am granting you your understanding of his intentions–is successful. To me, it is not. And, just to be clear, in case you haven’t read through my other posts about circumcision, I oppose both routine infant penile circumcision and Jewish circumcision.

]]> Comment on Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky, Foreskin Man, Vulva Girl and the Two-Thirds of My Freshman Composition Class Who Are Failing Right Now by Kelev http://www.richardjnewman.com/2011/11/13/joe-paterno-jerry-sandusky-foreskin-man-vulva-girl-and-the-two-thirds-of-my-freshman-composition-class-who-are-failing-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-3285 Kelev Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:51:21 +0000 http://www.richardjnewman.com/?p=2470#comment-3285 I think his work is "antisemitic" in the same way that Salman Rushdie's 'Satanic Verses' is "anti-Muslim", or Andres Serrano's 'Piss Christ' is "anti-Catholic." That is to say, I think that interpretation is available on a base level, but that it's a misreading. Hess' work is not "anti-semitic" in the same way that Nazi propaganda was because the intent is very clearly not the same according to any objective reading of Hess' comic. The conclusion that Hess confronts us with is *not* "kill Jews", or anything even close to it. Indeed, it is just the opposite. Hess' story is all about Jews being saved from an inhumane ritual that all of us who are Jewish males are victims of, and our wives, mothers, sisters are accessories to (and victims of in their own way). Again, I would argue that Hess is parodying anti-semitic imagery, using the ugliness of those historic depictions to represent the ugliness of the bloody ritual he is condemning. I think his work is “antisemitic” in the same way that Salman Rushdie’s ‘Satanic Verses’ is “anti-Muslim”, or Andres Serrano’s ‘Piss Christ’ is “anti-Catholic.” That is to say, I think that interpretation is available on a base level, but that it’s a misreading.

Hess’ work is not “anti-semitic” in the same way that Nazi propaganda was because the intent is very clearly not the same according to any objective reading of Hess’ comic. The conclusion that Hess confronts us with is *not* “kill Jews”, or anything even close to it. Indeed, it is just the opposite. Hess’ story is all about Jews being saved from an inhumane ritual that all of us who are Jewish males are victims of, and our wives, mothers, sisters are accessories to (and victims of in their own way).

Again, I would argue that Hess is parodying anti-semitic imagery, using the ugliness of those historic depictions to represent the ugliness of the bloody ritual he is condemning.

]]> Comment on Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky, Foreskin Man, Vulva Girl and the Two-Thirds of My Freshman Composition Class Who Are Failing Right Now by Richard Jeffrey Newman http://www.richardjnewman.com/2011/11/13/joe-paterno-jerry-sandusky-foreskin-man-vulva-girl-and-the-two-thirds-of-my-freshman-composition-class-who-are-failing-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-3284 Richard Jeffrey Newman Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:38:47 +0000 http://www.richardjnewman.com/?p=2470#comment-3284 Kelev, I am, actually, quite well aware of the comic book genre Hess is referencing, though whether or not he is successfully "aping" it--I will, for the moment, grant you that this is his intent--is certainly an open question. You suggest that calling his work antisemitic--and I am talking here only of the comic book which deals explicitly with Jewish circumcision--is a misinterpretation. I'd be curious to read how you would make that argument without appealing to Hess' intent, since his intent, after all, does not mean that he was successful in keeping antisemitism out of the work. Kelev,

I am, actually, quite well aware of the comic book genre Hess is referencing, though whether or not he is successfully “aping” it–I will, for the moment, grant you that this is his intent–is certainly an open question. You suggest that calling his work antisemitic–and I am talking here only of the comic book which deals explicitly with Jewish circumcision–is a misinterpretation. I’d be curious to read how you would make that argument without appealing to Hess’ intent, since his intent, after all, does not mean that he was successful in keeping antisemitism out of the work.

]]> Comment on Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky, Foreskin Man, Vulva Girl and the Two-Thirds of My Freshman Composition Class Who Are Failing Right Now by Kelev http://www.richardjnewman.com/2011/11/13/joe-paterno-jerry-sandusky-foreskin-man-vulva-girl-and-the-two-thirds-of-my-freshman-composition-class-who-are-failing-right-now/comment-page-1/#comment-3283 Kelev Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:04:28 +0000 http://www.richardjnewman.com/?p=2470#comment-3283 One of the things that vexes me about so much of the discussion / condemnation of Foreskin Man (and now his sidekick, Vulva Girl) is that critics seem to be entirely ignorant of the comic book genre that Hess is referencing and aping. Sure, condemn the sexism and racism if you will. There's also the straight hetero-normativity we should also point out. But insofar as Hess is using those elements, it's because those are common elements within the whole comic book culture. Is Hess parodying these things as a not-so-subtle way of critiquing them in much the same way he critiques male and female circumcision? I think that argument can be made. In any case, the idea that Hess isn't trying to make some point with his grotesque depictions is just too simplistic. Like those who misinterpret his work as "antisemitic", critics of the work's "sexism" are missing the point, or at least one of the points. One of the things that vexes me about so much of the discussion / condemnation of Foreskin Man (and now his sidekick, Vulva Girl) is that critics seem to be entirely ignorant of the comic book genre that Hess is referencing and aping. Sure, condemn the sexism and racism if you will. There’s also the straight hetero-normativity we should also point out. But insofar as Hess is using those elements, it’s because those are common elements within the whole comic book culture. Is Hess parodying these things as a not-so-subtle way of critiquing them in much the same way he critiques male and female circumcision? I think that argument can be made. In any case, the idea that Hess isn’t trying to make some point with his grotesque depictions is just too simplistic. Like those who misinterpret his work as “antisemitic”, critics of the work’s “sexism” are missing the point, or at least one of the points.

]]> Comment on Our Newest Superhero: Foreskin Man? by Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky, Foreskin Man, Vulva Girl and the Two-Thirds of My Freshman Composition Class Who Are Failing Right Now – Richard Jeffrey Newman http://www.richardjnewman.com/2011/02/05/our-newest-superhero-foreskin-man/comment-page-1/#comment-3282 Joe Paterno, Jerry Sandusky, Foreskin Man, Vulva Girl and the Two-Thirds of My Freshman Composition Class Who Are Failing Right Now – Richard Jeffrey Newman Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:31:05 +0000 http://richardjnewman.com/?p=2084#comment-3282 [...] write about that, and I have wanted to write yet one more time about Fore­skin Man, which I have posted on before, because I am wide-eyed incred­u­lous at the fact that Matthew Hess was unable to come up with a [...] […] write about that, and I have wanted to write yet one more time about Fore­skin Man, which I have posted on before, because I am wide-eyed incred­u­lous at the fact that Matthew Hess was unable to come up with a […]

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