Remember When • • Message Of The Movement NAACP's Julian Bond stresses continuing need to stem racism and discrimination. DON COHEN Special to the Jewish News inorities serve society like the canaries that miners used to carry," said civil-rights advo- cate Julian Bond, as his diverse audience of about 400 listened attentively at Temple Beth El. "But too many people want to put gas masks on the canaries instead of eliminating the poison in the air." And, while not discounting the substantial progress that has been made in law and in practice, Bond's address, "Justice and the American Dream," pointed out that there is still too much poison in the air. He urged his listeners to heed a civil rights "movement message" that "people move forward fastest when they move forward together." Now in his fifth term as board chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Bond pre- sented the Milton M. Alexander Memorial lec- ture May 10 at Beth El's Friday night services in Bloomfield Township. Greeted with a stand- ing ovation, Bond gave a wide-ranging talk grounded in his person- al experiences. They include his work as a professor of government at American University and of his- tory at the University of Virginia. He quoted the late Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, saying, "Pessimism is a luxury that a Jew cannot allow him- self," then declared himself as a kindred optimist. Bond recounted how when his grandfather was born, "he and his mother were property, like a horse or a chair." Even now, he said all the gains have not been made, and that racism and discrimination still require our personal and communal attention. "The [Bush] administration's two goals — retaliation against terrorists abroad and promotion of tolerance at home — are reminiscent of the Double V campaign blacks waged during World War II: victory against fascism abroad and racism at home. "With the events of Sept. 11, we realize we have not yet achieved either victory — not yet against tyranny abroad — not yet against racism here at home." While focusing on the rich history of black and Jewish iff 5/17 2002 32 unity that has characterized the civil rights struggle, Bond • also addressed the issue of "affirmative action" that has caused some disunity. He said, "Some argue that affirmative action carries a stigma that attaches to all blacks — as if we never suffered any stigma in the years before the phrase 'affirmative action' was heard. "Why isn't this same argument made about the millions of whites got into college [through] a 'legacy' because dad was an alumnus?" he asked. "Since the nation was founded, all our elite professions have been the special preserve of white men — and they remain so today," Bond charged before musing, "I seriously doubt if a single one of these men is suffering low self-esteem because his race or gender helped him win his position." • "It was truly -wonderful to listen to this man," said Beth El "With the events of Sept. 11, we realize we have not yet achieved either victory — not yet against tyranny abroad — not yet against racism here at home." — Julian Bond member Elaine Schoenberger. "Bond spoke about the virtues I've grown up with, that my father lived and instilled in his family." Myrtice Macon of Bloomfield Hills attended the lecture because Rabbi Daniel Syme extended an invitation to Rev. Dr. Charles Adams and his congregation at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit. Macon, who had been to Temple Beth El previously, was glad to see several doctors she knew from when she was staff anesthesiologist at Sinai Hospital of Detroit. "It is wonderful to be a part of the lecture series," she noted at a reception following the talk. "The whole experi- ence reminds us of our commonalities." Bond's talk made Jen Zeidman of Farmington Hills think how much better things would be without racism. "It was real interesting," she said. "It could change the future if we eliminate prejudice." Her friend April Crnovrsanin of Clinton Township offered a way to do it. "We need to accept people as they are," she said, "not judge by what race they are." From the Jewish News pages this week 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years ago. 1992 A 425-year old Jewish cemetery in Lipnik, Czechoslovakia, has been restored 50 years after Nazis convert- ed the sacred grounds into a park. Temple Beth El adopts the Woodward Malcolm X Academy in Detroit, donating 600 preschool and elementary books. 1982 Detroit Joseph Handleman, past president of American Red Magen David for Israel, is awarded an hon- orary degree of law at Dropsie University. Young Israel of Oak-Woods holds a mortgage-burning ceremony. 197. A $40,000 Jewish Welfare Grant provides for a Jewish history profes- sor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Detroiter I. Murray Jacobs is supervising the plans for the 43rd annual convention of the National Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs to be held in Miami Beach. 1962 Igor Stravinsky will conduct the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra dur- ing the Second Israel Music Festival. Young Israel of Northwest Detroit will dedicate its new struc- ture on Wyoming. 951 Rabbi B. Benedict Glazer of Temple Beth El in Detroit unex- pectedly dies. Funeral services will be held at Temple Beth El. - The Landsmanschaft Council plans celebrations for Israel's fourth anniversary. 19 2 The Jewish Welfare Board announces kosher food will be made available at army posts for men in the military. Mrs. J. E. Gould is elected presi- dent of Detroit Chapter of Hadassah. — Compiled by Holly Teasdle, CA Archivist, Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives Temple Beth El