Rob, You Can Oppose Zionism Without Being Against Jewish People

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Joel Elias Spingarn

[Beneath The Spin]

Recently, I reprised an article on Zionism, Maybe I'm Dumb, but Could Somebody Please Tell Me the Difference Between Zionism and Racism?


I try to avoid addressing the same issue in consecutive columns - that's my only defense against my natural tendency to be tedious and predictable.


As soon as the words came out of his mouth I knew I had to clarify my message by revisiting the issue of Zionism. Rob had missed my point.

I didn't have the time, at that moment, to stand there in front of the store and explain to the young man that my article wasn't against Jews. On the other hand, I wanted to make sure that he understood the distinction between hating a philosophy, and hating a people.

So I asked the young man to be sure to pickup the following week's paper because I was going to write an article especially, and specifically, for him. So Rob, as promised, this one's for you.  I sincerely hope that God gives me the skill to make my point.


It would be a pity to go through the pain and suffering that Black people have experienced in America and not come out the other end with at least some measure of wisdom. One would think that we would have learned through the blood, sweat, and tears that we've shed, that trying to paint any group of people with the same broad brush, whether it's to say that they're all good, or they're all bad, is the height of stupidity. It's also the very mindset that has caused Black people so much misery here in America. How can I claim to detest racism, only to turn around an embrace that very same ignorant philosophy?



Instead of using our higher cognitive abilities and taking the time to be precise in our thinking, we find it easier to lob pre-conceived generalizations at every problem. More often than not, those generalizations cater to the very darkest side of our nature. Look at what we're doing with our knowledge in the Middle East. Instead of using that knowledge to enhance the quality of life for all of humanity, we're using it to spread death and destruction around the entire world.


As long as we think in those terms and continue to antagonize one another, we sabotage every opportunity to form coalitions to fight for our common good. That's why people like George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and many in the GOP crowd thrive in a hostile environment. They love keeping us ignorant, because ignorance keeps us divided, and that very division allow them to step in and conquer all of our hopes and dreams as a people. It is a must, therefore, that we develop the wisdom to understand that there are only two kinds of people in this world; good people, and bad people.


So while we witness the horror and atrocities that the state of Israel is committing against the Palestinian people and some people lean toward condemning all Jews, we must keep in mind men like Joel Elias Spingarn, also a Jew, and a prominent literary figure of his time.

He not only gave great support to the Harlem Renaissance, but helped W.E.B. DuBois establish the NAACP as a driving force for change in America. Spingarn also established the Spingarn Medal in 1913. To this day it's awarded annually for Excellence in African American Achievement.


Spingarn was Chairman of the Board of the NAACP from 1913 until his death in 1939. We should also keep in mind that during that period the NAACP board was predominantly Jewish. W.E.B. DuBois was the only Black man on the Board of Directors. In fact, the NAACP didn't elect its first Black president until 1975. Think about that.

But it's become less than politically correct to bring up issues such as these - probably because many of us are afraid of becoming associated with Black opportunist, turncoats, and apologists for Whites like Clarence Thomas, Alan Keyes, Larry Elder, and the like.


It's a source of knowledge to young people that says (as the three misguided Black men I've mentioned clearly attest) everybody that looks like you is not your brother, and conversely, everybody that doesn't look like you is not your enemy.

This is an invaluable lesson, not only for Black people, but for all of America.

We will never truly overcome until all people of good faith come together as a coalition That will never happen until we begin to recognize that true brotherhood is not of the skin, but of the soul.


Eric L. Wattree,

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