American Voices
The historical record is clear. The vast majority of the Jewish community has bonded with Black Americans on civil rights and social justice.
Jewish Americans were supporters of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the NAACP, Urban League, and CORE during the height of the civil rights movement. They continued their support with desegregation and the quest for equal opportunity. Many gave their lives for the cause during the 1960s.
When I was a child, my family was attacked by the Ku Klux Klan in the early 1960s. A cross burning and nightly death threats followed. The Jewish community was very supportive of our family during this time. The community did not seek media attention for their efforts. They simply did the compassionate thing by supporting victims of the KKK. So, this is a little personal for me.
Decades later when I was in Congress, I was challenged over my lack of support or participation in the Million Man March in 1995. I was the first Black congressman or elected official to stand against the leaders of that event — Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam. At first, members of the Congressional Black Caucus were silent or supportive of the Million Man March. I was not. I was not supportive because its leaders frequently voiced antisemitic views.
It was tough. It was suggested that I get security as the disagreement over my position quickly reached a hateful level.
Over time former President Bill Clinton, Rep. John Lewis, General Colin Powell, and activists like Angela Davis joined me. Other Black public figures also denounced the Million Man march for similar reasons, including the leadership of the NAACP, National Urban League, and the Black Baptist Ministers.
I have always spoken out whenever I saw antisemitism or racism. Just weeks ago, I even challenged a Republican senator, Tommy Tuberville, over his remarks about reparations, crime, and Black people – remarkably, all words being part of the same sentence.
Stupid and insensitive antisemitic remarks and overt or covert racism are not just hurtful, they can also be harmful to the entire American society.
That is why I am appalled by the hateful remarks of Kanye West toward Jewish people.
Hateful treatment toward people because of factors that were bestowed on each of us by our maker – God – is simply ignorant and despicable. Society cannot allow those who share such sentiments to advance their agendas. We are Americans. If we look the other way and ignore such hateful statements and acts, they could get worse, and we as a nation would be squarely on a course toward self-destruction.
Antisemitic or racist hate must always be called out and beaten back, regardless of the prominence of the person or organization that espouses it – and regardless of the value of their talents, services, and the products they provide.
We must rebuke those folks until they admit they have done wrong and if possible they should pay a price for their attitude and actions. That is the only recourse to show Americans there is no place for such hatred in America. Period.
It is well understood why the Jewish community and others who do not want to be associated with such repulsive comments responded forcefully to Mr. West. Association with anyone espousing hatred of this kind should be dealt with by all Americans. Nobody — and I mean nobody — in America in the 21st century should condone or support antisemitism or any other form of racism.
I can appreciate Adidas and other organizations that will suffer financially by doing the right thing, and cutting ties with advocates of racist hatred. I strongly believe America will applaud their actions in the fight against antisemitism.
When racism, segregation, discrimination battles were fought over the decades – quietly in many instances without any fanfare – the Jewish community has been there for the Black community.
I remember asking my mother who the white people were who visited our house during the KKK episodes. My mother explained to me that Jewish people had gone through horrific experiences in the past and that they understood and supported our well-being, as the Klan also hated them. I can never forget that experience and my mother’s remarks.
I hope my comments on history and my past can be a teachable moment for Mr. West.
I also hope he will eventually offer a sincere, heartfelt apology for his comments. We all make mistakes. We learn from them. Hate in any form is not constructive. Even Malcolm X converted to this idea. He understood that love toward one’s fellow man should be the enduring message.
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ABOUT THE WRITER
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Gary Franks served three terms as U.S. representative for Connecticut’s 5th District. He was the first Black Republican elected to the House in nearly 60 years and New England’s first Black member of the House. Host: podcast “We Speak Frankly.” Author: “With God, For God, and For Country.” @GaryFranks
©2022 Gary Franks. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
