CONTENTS
`Farrakhan Effect'
On Black-Jewish Ties
BERL FALBAUM
0
ne of the most tragic
consequences of what
one might call the
"Farrakhan effect" is the
silence of the black
community.
No one — radical, liberal,
moderate or conservative —
has spoken out and offered
any criticism of the venom
which has poured from the
Black Muslim minister.
And there has been no shor-
tage of opportunity.
When the minister ap-
peared on the Michigan State
University campus recently,
several black leaders in the
The silence gives
credence to black
support of
anti-Semitism.
community were approached
by Jewish officials to issue
public statements. If they did
not condemn Farrakhan, they
at least could express their
disagreement.
All refused, and their
silence lends credence to the
belief that the black com-
munity supports Farrakhan's
anti-Semitism. Whether the
conclusion is justified or not,
Jews cannot be blamed if they
feel wronged by the silence.
When the Rev. Jesse
Jackson, during his presiden-
tial campaign, refused to
repudiate Farrakhan, it was
generally interpreted that he
did not want to alienate black
support during an election.
While this is not a praticular-
ly highly-principled position,
given the issues involved,
political opportunism is not a
characteristic unique to
Jackson. (Of course, also in-
volved are Jackson's own feel-
ings about Jews.)
But no such political
reasons now exist for black
leaders to refuse to come for-
ward. Their position is sad-
dening and one is tempted to
describe it as "uncons-
cionable!'
Some blacks argue the
media has exaggerated Far-
rakhan's statements. Others
maintain that repudiation
would only fan the flames. A
third school believes that
acknowledging Farrakhan
Berl Falbaum is a public
relations executive and officer
of the Jewish Community
Council of Metropolitan
Detroit.
would only give him more
publicity.
The counterpoints are, un-
fortunately, so persuasive as
to make these arguments
sound hollow. Farrakhan has
appeared on television for
those who may not have
heard him in person. One can
hardly ignite a controversy
over a man who captures
front-page headlines in the
media wherever he speaks
and, what's more, he is no
longer an unknown as may
have been the case a few
years ago.
More than 4,000 people at-
tended his speech at MSU.
Equally disconcerting is the
editorial which appered in
the Michigan Chronicle, the
newspaper which serves the
black community.
There was not a word of
criticism in the Chronicle and
it attributed the interpreta-
tion of his racism to third par-
ties, using phrases like "some
believe." The editorial con-
cludes: "Yet we also dissent
from anyone or any group
that would like to use Louis
Farrakhan or what Mr. Far-
rakhan says as a launching
pad to assault African
Americans!'
That is hardly the case. The
issue is Farrakhan's anti-
Semitism and one would ex-
pect that people of goodwill in
the black community would
speak out against it.
One could only imagine the
reaction from the black com-
munity if a white clergyman
or public official had used
Farrakhan's language to
discuss blacks. They would
have demanded — and right-
ly so — a repudiation from ap-
propriate spokespeople and,
as Jewish history indicates,
they would have received it
from our community.
The issues involved in this
case are more than political.
Differences over Bakke, affir-
mative action, quotas and
other issues, however emo-
tional, can be overcome with
compromise. But when the
black community cannot
bring itself to speak out
against hatred and libel
which touches the very soul of
a people, then there can be lit-
tle hope for reconciliation bet-
ween the two groups who are
moving further apart daily.
The silence is not only hur-
ting Jews and political
alliances, but it is strengthen-
ing Farrakhan and all those
who support his cause.
That is the long-term price
of looking the other way.
Continued on Page 10
24
CLOSE-UP
The Battle For
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FOCUS
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The Tradition
RONELLE GRIER
Beth Achim's new rabbi
plans no sweeping change.
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SPORTS
Almost
A Minyan
RICHARD PEARL
Akiva's cagers find
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ENTERTAINMENT
Full
71 Circle
MIKE ROSENBAUM
Jim Burnstein's second career
is writing about his first one.
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HOLIDAYS
Perfectly
Purim
ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM
A happy holiday
through children's eyes.
DEPARTMENTS
20
30
50
84
88
Notebook
Inside Washington
Synagogues
Fine Arts
Cooking
100
104
106
110
134
Engagements
Births
Single Life
Classified Ads
Obituaries
CANDLELIGHTING
97
6:22 p.m.
Friday, March 16, 1990
Sabbath ends March 17 7:24 p.m.
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
7
CONTENTS
OPINION