Language:
English
Year of publication:
1994
Titel der Quelle:
Dissent
Angaben zur Quelle:
41,3 (1994) 365-369
Keywords:
Farrakhan, Louis
;
Antisemitism History 1945-
;
African Americans Relations with Jews
;
Jews History 1945-
Abstract:
Contends that Blacks and Jews are fascinated by Louis Farrakhan (and other purveyors of Black antisemitism) because he confirms and affirms identity for both groups. Farrakhan's agenda is not only political; it is theological, as questions of identity often are. The Black-Jewish alliance was doomed to end because the elements of shared oppression were never as great as the differences. The gulf between Jews and Blacks is marked by Jewish certainty about the Jew's place in history and before God, in contrast to the African American's lack of confidence in the solidity of life itself. Contends that much antisemitism among Blacks is an expression of envy of the Jewish narrative, and the painful longing for a healing narrative of their own. Farrakhan fills the void with a narrative of antisemitism, historical lies, and appeals to Black superiority. States that Blacks, Jews, and whites must create something else to listen to, a narrative that gives an image of the good, the true, and the beautiful - a narrative of community.
Note:
Appeared also in "The Jewish Condition" (1995) 52-61.
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
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