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994-4040
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The Best of Ann Arbor reader
poll always misses a few things.
But the great thing about it is that
it only devotes a few lines to any
topic - short and sweet, stripped
down and simple. A little like UsA
Today - only we make it, not
them.
So maybe one category should
have been "best surface-based
debate which escalates into full-
blown, emotional propaganda war
without approaching any sort of
resolution.".
This term, the Blacks-and-Jews
thing should have won
hands down.
That might be a
little funny, but mostly
it's pretty sad. Because
there was more of an
effort than usual - on
the part of some
people - to get to the
heart of this thing.
Nationally, Louis
Farrakhan gave a series Phil
of prominent
interviews - included bOl
an interview/debate
with Sam Donaldson. And some
aspects of the issue were almost
explored in the national media.
Locally, Farrakhan spoke at
Michigan State - prompting a
stormy if generally ill-informed
war of words - which primed the
campus for the explosion which
would occur around Steve
Cokely's two visits to campus.
And look, let's not kid
ourselves: the State of Israel's
deteriorating international image
- which has resulted from its
continuous trampling of human
rights in the Occupied Territories
(and within Israel) - has left
those Jews for whom Israel is a
central rallying point feeling
vulnerable and under attack. As
have recent reports of increasing
displays of anti-Jewishness in the
Soviet Union and parts of Eastern
Europe.
Tensions.have been running
high.
The debate has largely
centered on the perceived anti-
Jewish tendencies of some Black
nationalists. Many non-Jews have
jumped to criticize the
proponents of Black nationalism
for remarks which were labelled
anti-Jewish.
I think there is and has been
Iii
le
more of a tendency to attack
perceived anti-Jewishness when it
is propagated by African-
Americans than when it appears
within more mainstream, white
sources. Also, of course, when it
appears in the form of criticism of
the State of Israel.
Here's why I think that is:
The argument that the
legitimate interests of Blacks will
necessarily conflict with the
interests of Jews in the United
States cannot be automatically
dismissed as divisive - as
divisive as this point
may have been to
date. The reason has
not so much to do
with Jews as Jews as
it does with the
simple fact that most
Jews in this country
are white.
This is a white-
dominated society,
whether we like it or
not (and no matter
k.R how sick of hearing it
some of us may be).
For all the great moral talk
about Jews in the Civil Rights
Movement, Jews as good people,
etc. - some of which has not
been romanticized beyond the
point of usefulness - there
remains a simple material reality:
Blacks are economically
disempowered by white society.
To rectify that situation (as with
the attempt to undo any
inequality), all those who are
materially better off have to give
up something so that those who
are worse off can have more. It is
only in this (abstract, but very
significant) respect that the
interests of these two groups
conflict.
Of course, the same applies
with most other whites. But let's
also remember that as well as
some Jews have done in the
United States, as a group they do
not dominate the highest echelons
of power. So the material gap
between Blacks and the power
establishment is greater than the
gap between Jews and that group,
just as it is greater than the gap
between Blacks and Jews.
So the power establishment has
more to lose through equality
with Blacks than it does through
parity with Jews. Because of this,
the real power folks may
occasionally cater to the interests
of Jews if it will mean giving up
less in the end. Call it damage
control. That's what goes on with
the whole mainstream
condemnation of Black
nationalists who display anti-
Jewish attitudes.
In more crude (and more
inflammatory) terms: The George
Herbert Walker Bushes of the
world would rather concede a
little to Jews than a lot to African-
Americans.
Why else would the outcry and
ostracism be so much fiercer for
Farrakhan or Public Enemy than
it is for people like Louisiana
State Legislator and former
Klanner David Duke ( or the KKK
in general), who is anti-Jewish in
a much more serious and
programmatical way?
Eu.
The fact that the fiercest flak
comes back over criticism of the
State of Israel is nothing new.
That's what Farrakhan's famous
"dirty religion" quote was all
about - it had nothing to do with
Judaism as a religion, or Jews as a
group.
This can be seen in the
dogmatic support for the State of
Israel which the United States
Government continuously
pursues. As much as some people
may want to attribute u.s. support
to "The Jewish Lobby" in
Washington, there is nothing
more pro-Jewish about u.s. policy
toward the State than there is a
pro-Panamanian intent in the u.s.
policy toward that country.
. Strategic military and economic
interests far outweigh any
heartfelt compassion for Jews -
as has been made painfully clear
by the u.s. decision to revoke the
refugee status of Soviet Jews, the
vast majority of whom want to go
to the United States, not the State
of Israel. That decision was made
for the Israeli State interest, but
against the Jewish interest.
Should Jews be willing to
accept alliances with those in
possession of more power than
themselves regardless of the
consequences? If "some rise by
sin, and some by virtue fall," is
rising by sin justified?
Let's keep talking about it.
Have a good summer.
f.
Captain Dave
and the
Loungecats
thrill A2
audiences
with their
"meat
dancer."
Best (and only) Lame Duck
Arts Editor:
Alyssa Katz
Worst cinematic
experience:
Slow Movements, the hour and a
half long right-to-left pan narrated
by a woman with a fake German
accent, at the Ann Arbor Film
Festival.
Best cinematic experience:
My Dinner With Abbie, the
unintentionally funny (or was it a
big joke?) video blow-up of an
interview between Abbie
Hoffman and a moronically
sycophantic new-ager, at the Ann
Arbor Film Festival.
- \
~ Iz\
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Yet Another List of Shows:
1. Commander Cody at The Blind
Pig
2. Mudhoney at The Blind Pig
3. Blind Lemon Jefferson at... (ok,
you're right, that one's not real)
Best (worst?) piece of
published ignorance:
"Oppose Gay Lounge"
editorial, Michigan
Review
Best local Di:
Brian Tomsic "Train to
Skaville"/"Roots
Reggae" WCBN
Ramblin' Pete WCBN
Best Performance
Enshrouded in Fog:
Flaming Lips at The
Blind Pig
Best Valuable Records
Purchased Locally for Dirt
Cheap:
Big Chief "Brake Torque" 45: $2
at Play it Again (with coupon),
now selling for $15+
Guns 'n Roses Live! Like a Suicide
EP: $5 at Wazoo, now selling for
$75+
? & the Mysterians eponymous
(and only) LP: $1 at some yard
sale, now selling for $20, if you
can find it
Most self-centered
enigmatic personality:
Donovan Grey/Grim
Reaper/Mike
something or other
Located Next to Video
station on Plymouth Rd.
Most inconsistent block of
voters:
1. Those who voted to raise the
pot fine while at the same time
voting to declare Ann Arbor "A
Zone of Reproductive Freedom."
(Maybe only your uterus should
be free, not your lungs.)
2. MsA Abolitionist fanatics
Most Pretentious Rock Critic
5. Greg Baise
4. Nabeel Zuberi
3. Forrest Green III
2. Michael Paul Fischer
1. Peter Shapiro
The competition was tough, but
you did it Pete. Way to go. You
make us proud.
t awawrr vn r r
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Mailbox Rentals w, 24 Hr Access
Call in & Forwarding Service Available
Packaging Service & Supplies
Shipping (UPS, Emery, & others)
Computer Time Rental: IBM, Mac, Laser Printing
Copies, FAX, Telephone Answering, Notary Set
Western Union, Passport Photos, Keys
Convenient Hours:
M4F 8 am-7 pm
Sat 9 am-3 pm
New
Location!
222 S. State
995-2378
325E. Liberty " 995-4222
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Campus Bike & Toy Washtenaw Cycle & Fitness
514 E. William 662-0035 3400 Washtenaw 971-2121
1 1/2 blocks off State Across from Arbor Dodge
'WEEKENDt April20,1990