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Editor's Notebook
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Snubbing Detroit Jewry
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branded this party "perhaps the largest organized anti-
_ hat's with the city of Detroit bestowing a Spirit
Semitic black militant group in America."
of Detroit Award and a key to the city on
When Rev. Farrakhan talks about black empowerment, I
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who
wonder
how he defines it. Consider his partnership with
ridicules the "Nazi-like State of Israel" and blames
Shabazz,
who sympathizes with Hamas and Hezbollah and
America's ills on Jewish-controlled halls of government,
who claims that U.S. support of Zionism was the root of
business, finance, entertainment and the press?
why so many people died on 9-11. This embrace no doubt
The honor insults our Jewish community. The minister .
will allow Rev. Farrakhan to dial down his rhetoric while
should be denounced, not lauded. This is a man who
still presenting an anti-Jewish message at the October rally.
preaches that the Talmud teaches that blacks were cursed;
At Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh on Feb. 17,
that "poor Jews died while big Jews were at the root of
Shabazz
declared "Zionism is racism" and "Zionism is ter-
what you call the Holocaust"; and that
Jews plotted to crucify Jesus. His defam- rorism." At a protest in front of the B'nai B'rith building in
atory speeches have succeeded in alienat- Washington in 2002, he shouted: "Kill every goddamn
Zionist in Israel. Goddamn little babies, goddamn old
ing Jews and whites.
ladies! Blow up Zionist supermarkets!"
What was Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick
The city of Detroit not only put Rev. Farrakhan on a
thinking when he gushed about the min-
pedestal,
but also, by extension, Shabazz. Peaceful advocacy
ister inspiring spiritual fulfillment? "You
of health care, education and job creation
not only have the key to
on behalf of the masses is one thing. But
the city," the mayor said,
ROBERT A.
"but the key to our hearts
SKLAR
and minds as well."
I can't fathom how Kwame
Editor
Rev. Farrakhan, brash
Kilpatrick, facing a formidable oppo-
as ever, visited Detroit on
Aug. 15-16. As he spoke of "a few greedy
nent as he seeks re-election this
ones" who have taken control of
November, thinks that elevating Rev.
Washington, the conspiracy he alluded to
harkened to his 2004 contention that a
Farrakhan won't turn off people of
"small influential group of neo-conservatives
principle who support the mayor.
are using America's power to destroy the
enemies of Israel." By neo-conservatives, he
meant the many Jews within President
neither Farrakhan nor Shabazz is a main-
Bush's inner circle who pushed to topple
Mayor
Kilpatrick
stream
black leader, yet mainstream black
Saddam Hussein to thwart Iraq's perceived
leaders
perpetuate that illusion when they
threat to the world.
give
legitimacy
to
this
hateful
duo.
In a Black History Month speech at Christ Universal
I can't fathom how Kwame Kilpatrick, facing a formida-
Temple in Chicago on Feb. 27, Rev. Farrakhan advanced
his drumbeat of hate, proclaiming the special responsibility ble opponent as he seeks re-election this November, thinks
that elevating Rev. Farrakhan won't turn off people of prin-
that Jews bear for the trans-Atlantic slave trade. He said:
ciple who support the mayor. The mayor is a friend to the
"Listen, Jewish people don't have no hands that are free of
Jewish
community, has addressed Jewish groups and counts
the blood of us. They owned slave ships; they bought and
Jews among his financial backers. Because of an unprinci-
sold us. They raped and robbed us." He said Jews lack the
pled stand, Mayor Kilpatrick is now tied to charges of pan-
courage to atone and repent.
dering to prejudice in search of votes.
Jews did sell, own and abuse slaves, but while wrong, that
Black/white and urban/suburban conflict already exists.
does not excuse the Nation of Islam for falsely inflating our
Heaping
praise on Rev. Farrakhan exacerbates the problem.
role and influence in slavery. Jews did fight on the
The
act
detracts
from the good will purposefully achieved by
Confederate side. But many more Jews fought on the Union
black and Jewish groups to improve racial harmony and gal-
side and supported abolition. And in modern times, Jews
have fought for civil rights and racial equality for blacks. I've vanize understanding. The local offices of the ADL, Jewish
Community Council and American
never met a Jew proud of Jewish slavers.
Jewish Committee have all reached out
Rev. Farrakhan came to Detroit to
on a er
effectively to the city of Detroit over the
rouse support for his Millions More
years.
Movement, which will be kicked off
The Farrakhan honor besmirches
with an Oct. 14-16 Washington rally
Should the Detroit Jewish
Detroit and people of good will in gener-
marking the 10th anniversary of the
community issue an official
al, - regardless of race, ethnicity or religion.
Nation of Islam's Million Man March
communal rebuke to the
The Detroit Jewish community especially
for black empowerment. The move-
city of Detroit for its
feels the slight. Many of us grew up in
ment's co-convener is no less than Malik
pathetic embrace of Rev.
Detroit and have family or business roots
Zulu Shabazz, the racist leader of the
Farrakhan?
going back decades. Jews have been at
New Black Panther Party. Betsy
the forefront of urban redevelopment.
Kellman, executive director of the
Has Jewish outreach over
We must speak up and let our voices be
Bloomfield Township-based Anti-
the past 10 years helped,
heard. At the very least, our outrage may
Defamation League Michigan Region,
hurt or had no substantive
prevent
a recurrence.
impact on black/Jewish
W
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relations in Metro Detroit?
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Guess
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hOrT
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• • October 6
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www.jarc.org
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jam
Jig
9/1
2005
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