Generated Summary below:
Video Description:
The InnerView meets esteemed American political scientist and activist Norman Finkelstein at his home in New York City. Finkelstein discusses why he was compelled to write his latest book, “I’ll Burn That Bridge When I Get to It!” on why he believes modern identity politics, cancel culture and being “woke” are insincere and ineffectual vehicles for true change that have been co-opted by the status quo.
The child of Holocaust survivors, Finkelstein is best known for his staunch criticism of Israel and tells Imran Garda how it feels to be labelled a holocaust denier and self-hating Jew. Finkelstein also addresses his fall from grace within some Palestinian circles after taking issue with the BDS movement.
Timestamps:
- 00:00 Intro
- 01:10 New Book - ‘I’ll Burn That Bridge When I Get to It!’
- 02:40 The Bernie Sanders phenomenon
- 06:35 What is ‘Identity politics’?
- 09:58 Why the super-rich donate millions of dollars to politicians?
- 11:34 On Black Lives Matter
- 12:53 Rosa Luxemburg – True left-wing figure
- 15:00 A self-hating Jew?
- 18:30 Earning respect
- 23:20 The choice. Fame and fortune or truth and justice?
- 24:06 Former “rockstar” of the Palestinian solidarity movement
Generated Summary:
Summary of Norman Finkelstein's Interview on "The InnerView"
Main Topic: Norman Finkelstein discusses his new book, "I'll Burn That Bridge When I Get to It!", focusing on his critique of modern identity politics, cancel culture, and "wokeness," and reflects on his career and controversial stances.
Key Points:
- Critique of Wokeness: Finkelstein argues that modern identity politics and wokeness are insincere, ineffectual, and have been co-opted by the status quo. He sees it as a right-wing phenomenon instrumentalized by the Democratic Party to displace class-based politics.
- Bernie Sanders Phenomenon: He highlights the 2016 and 2020 Bernie Sanders campaigns as a unique class-based political insurgency, undermined by woke progressives.
- Identity Politics vs. Class: Finkelstein believes identity politics has appropriated genuine causes (women's rights, racial equality) but removed the class element, allowing elites to maintain privilege.
- Elite Co-option: He contends that the ruling elite uses vast sums of money to co-opt movements like Black Lives Matter, citing examples of large donations to figures like Barack Obama and Van Jones.
- Personal Cost & Sacrifice: Finkelstein downplays the personal cost of his controversial views, stating that sacrifice is inherent to being on the left. He contrasts this with what he sees as a lack of sacrifice among contemporary "woke" leaders.
- Labels and Accusations: He addresses being labeled a Holocaust denier and self-hating Jew, explaining his personal connection to the Holocaust and dismissing the accusations as absurd.
- BDS Movement: He explains his falling out with some in the Palestinian solidarity movement after criticizing the BDS movement's tactics.
- Truth vs. Popularity: Finkelstein discusses the inherent conflict between pursuing truth and justice versus seeking fame and fortune, referencing Julian Benda's "Treason of the Intellectuals." He suggests that becoming too popular can be a sign of betraying one's principles.
Highlights:
- Finkelstein's assertion that modern "wokeness" is a right-wing phenomenon.
- His emphasis on the importance of class-based politics and his criticism of identity politics for displacing it.
- His perspective on personal sacrifice as a core value of the left.
- His reflections on his relationship with the Palestinian cause and his decision to speak out against the BDS movement.
- His discussion of the "treason of the intellectuals" and the conflict between truth/justice and fame/fortune.
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