Brooklyn, NY – Jewish leaders have denounced the comments made by councilwoman Laurie Cumbo regarding the cause for “knockout game” violence.
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The Brooklyn councilwoman published a letter on Tuesday stating that various black residents in the Crown Heights community said they feel threatened by the growth of the Jewish community, and that the rising tension between the two groups could be the cause for the outbreaks of violence in the last few months. Not everyone agrees with her statements.
The Anti-Defamation League called the post “troubling,” and said the post suggests anti-Semitic stereotypes.
Rabbi Marc Schneier, president of the Foundation for ¬Ethnic Understanding, said Cumbo’s comments were “groundless and baseless.”
One Jewish leader commended Cumbo for her truthfulness, but rejected her line of thinking.
Yaacov Behrman, Executive Director of the Jewish Future Alliance, commended Cumbo for trying to open the door to better understanding between the communities, but doesn’t agree with her line of thought.
Behrman stated, “We applaud Councilmember-elect Laurie Cumbo for being candid and bringing these perceptions to the attention of community leaders. We also applaud her suggestion that more should be done to bring the youth of Crown Heights together. But the housing crisis and the idea of transcending cultural boundaries among community youth has no place in a discussion of the Knock Out Game. To address this subject in a discussion of the current violence our community is not only inappropriate, it also can be misunderstood as excusing the violence.”
Assemblyman Dov Hikind said the comments were off base and did more harm than good.
“Some of your comments were downright counterproductive,” Hikind said in a letter to Cumbo posted on his blog. He continued to say, “Assemblyman Dov Hikind, said the comments were off base and did more harm than good.”
He continued to say, “Expressing, as you have, a sympathy for those who hold the success of the Jewish community in contempt—as a success “not their own”—almost rings as an apology for those who are committing violent crimes as a response to their resentment. Identifying members of the community as “Jewish landlords” is a stereotype with profound negative connotations.”
Oh, now I understand. Jewish residents in Crown Heights have done well economically, so it’s totally understandable for black people to knock them out.
Who elected this woman?
These remarks are proper given the context. This is for her constituants. Her constituants like to hear these vile remarks. We must let her get away with this so she can run again.
What a shame this ‘machashafe’ just got herself elected, with the help of the Crown Heights jewish voters, nonetheless!
and whats the reason they wear their pants half way down? by the way that is my answer to that game they play.
“various black residents in the Crown Heights community said they feel threatened by the growth of the Jewish community”
What??????? Where are you all to condemn this anti-semi statement……
Welcome to the new face of NYC city council. Led by new mayor Socialist DeBlasio. The liberals are all giddy about the new wave of progressivism about to start in NYC. This kind of talk will only get louder.
Don’t blame this racist witch. It’s in her DNA. Blame Chanina Sperlin, Yaakov Behrman, Shea Hecht, Eli Cohen & all the others who said we have to vote for her. I’m an independent thinker & I did my research. I did NOT vote for her! Unfortunately, most CH Jews did.
But here’s the thing….not one political censure or concern uttered by any of the other elected leaders. Not Eric Adams, Bill (I am best buddies with Chasidim but they are in Willy not Crown Heights) de Blasio, Letitia James (our former Councilperson) or Ken Thompson. And what about Dov Hikind? Cllr Greenfeld? etc
The words said by this representative, is the mantra of the Obama Administration – be it Jew, Cristian, Moslem if you have more that you have to give ot to those who don’t welcome to the world of the new mayor.
This President, this new mayor – there is a new world order – you work, and give it to someone else. The people of Crown Height put her in office – Good Luck
She doesnt’t understand anything and has no business being in the NYC Council.
So far not one knock out in the state of TEXAS.