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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 14, 1984)
Black-Jewish dialogue won't It simply cracks me up when I open up the New York Times, the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner and the Dallas Morning News and read where some black "civil rights group" b calling for a dialogue with the Jews to discuss any rifts that might have been afcihew Stelly created by the remarks of the Rev. Jesse Jackson or minister Louis Farrakhan. It cracks me up because such a "dialogue" raises issues that none of the arti cles or editorials have even remotely touched upon. First of all, there is the issue of whether or not true "dialogue" Is going to satisfy anyone. A dialogue b just a conversation. Blacks and Jews have been con versing for the past 2,000 years. But the key to the "dialogue' was simply that the Jews talked from a position of plenty and power, while blacks rapped from a posture of pleading and powerlessness. In light of this, how can any conversation serve to do anything more than provide evidence that the same dichotomous relationship still exists? Then there is the issue of "repudiation." Jewish leaders seek to force Mondale to repudiate Jackson for not repudiating Farrakhan who repudiated the Jews. All of this is going on, and the basic point of a "double standard" is never addressed by the media. The fact of the matter b, why should Jesse repudiate Farrakhan for expressing his opinion? After all, I did not hear or read about any Jewish groups repu diating the Jewish Defense League when it bombed Jesse'3 headquarters in San Diego. I did not hear any .Jews repudiating Jan Vorster, the former Prime Minister of South Africa when he was talking of murdering thousands of blacks. Nor did I hear Jews repudiating the racist remarks of Jewish comedians such as Don Rickles or Joan Rivers. So then, if every one cncerned Is not going to make amends, why single out black people to do -so when God only knows that they've been begging and pleading for too long already? Third, there is the talk of a "black and Jewish rift," as if this is some brand new phenomenon that took place overnight. The fact of the matter is both groups have been at odds on both an overt and covert basis since the days of ancient Africa. The truth of the matter is, Jews played a key role in the subjugation of Africa, and especially Egypt. Truth is, Jews were among the most bellicose of the "white ethnics" who resisted blacks when they migrated North from the southern plantations after Reconstruction. Fact of the matter is, Israel sup- sacisiy anyone ports South Africa and most people know what that country thinks of black people. Finally, Jews oppose quotas in hiring while black people, ever the victims of racism, must rely on these very types of strategies in order to enter the Ameri can mainstream. I'm not saying that such conflict is good or bad, but it simply is. And this is what should be accepted. To talk of dialogue while ignoring such important facts is like swingin' at somebody in the dark when there ain't nobody there but you. If there Is going to be anything, it should be discussions leading to defense and development, not dialogue dominated by discussions, of desired dividends. What we need to do is face the truth about one another, and then move on from there to work out solutions that will alleviate some of the tension that now exists. But this will take guts on both sides, and because of economic considerations, I don't know if either group has the intestinal fortitude to say and do what need3 to be said and done. As the old saying goes,' "we cannot alter anything until we first alter and overthrow our own ignorances of our selves." So what's it gonna be? Letter Policy , The Daily Nebraskan welcomes brief letters to the editor from all readers and interested others. Letters mill be selected for publication on the basis of clarity, originality, timeliness and space available. The Daily Nebraskan retains the right to edit all material submitted. Readers also are welcome to submit material as guest opinions. Whether material should run as a letter or guest opinion, or not run, is left to the editor's discretion. Submit material to the Daily Nebraskan, 34 Neb raska Union, 1400 R St., Lincoln, Neb. 68588-0448. , , fJctvclino Hsip us cover you. i L ii WW l l iPWv" Nr V ?rl Ttiis Summer EDM "if on WaDirik Mip ii sup Mom t nnn Tfnmittn!!!? 1 If your body's brown, but your wallet's bare don't despair! Come in from the sun for just a few hours a week and earn up to $95 a month! And study while you're doing it! Become a plasma donor this semester and you can earn enough money in your spare time to pay for next! I We'll even furnish the sun tan oil for new donors! Just bring this ad for an ajjultionai tor your uxi uiuiduuu. 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