Intellectual Brown Web #3: The Israel-Hamas War meets U.S. Cancel Culture

A debate between two Muslims, one ex-Muslim, and an atheist.

Before we get to the new episode (scroll down), here’s some background to get you oriented. Earlier this year, we announced the formation of a bold new chapter in brown-ness. It came to be known by the name Intellectual Brown Web (IBW), a loose, informal collective of browns who disagree on a lot of things (particularly religion) but like and respect each other—not despite our differences but more likely because of them.

First there were four, all from Muslim backgrounds but quite diverse: our kind host and podcaster extraordinaire

Razib Khan

, the writer

Sarah Haider

and journalist

Murtaza Hussain

.

Well, it continues. We’re thrilled to share Episode #3 with you all.

This time we take on the Israel-Hamas war, the left’s myopia (is it fair to “punch down”?), and how no one really has any principles when it comes to cancel culture. I wasn’t sure where to expect. It was a difficult, at times tense conversation. I knew that we had widely divergent views but I was surprised where we came out in the end. I hope this can be a model going forward.

And I’ll just say one more thing. In the heat of the moment, someone who follows me on Twitter took issue with the fact that I "like and respect” Sarah Haider, who this person felt had unacceptably pro-Israel views on the conflict. I responded by saying, sure, Sarah’s views are different than my own. That's allowed. You can like people who you have profound disagreements with. There's no reason to assume bad faith. At the end of the day, it’s really that simple. Or at least it can be that simple.

Without further ado, here is the full 90-minute conversation in all of its glory.

If this resonates with you, please do consider reposting, sharing, and spreading the word.

To listen to previous Intellectual Brown Web episodes, go here for our debate Muslims vs. LGBTQ+ and here for our episode on the “brown rebellion.”