Jews and Blacks: A Dialogue on Race, Religion, and Culture in America

The perspectives , not 100% shared, broadened my thinking on the historical race relations between Jews and Blacks. Worth the read.

Although this book is definitely a product of its decade my favorite part about reading this is that it demonstrates what healthy dialogue could actually be .

great book

This is a rear development unless one is real and transparent and progressive in thinking. I highly recommend the book for those that needs opinion of others as blessings. Good condition and timely delivered.

Micheal Learner and Cornel West attempt to solve some of the problems and tentions that have turned Blacks against Jews, and Jews against Blacks. What ethnic and or religious group have suffered the most? Native Americans,Chinese,Japanese,Blacks, Jews? What ever your answer maybe, the truth is that Blacks and Jews have been the some of the most oppressed poeple in America and the world. It is that one factor that has linked these two groups as allies, and enemies. The Civil Rights Movement in America was centered around the coalition between Blacks and Jews. Jews and Blacks spent countless of hours, days, and years for the betterment and equality of African Americans. Blacks and Jews protested,fought, and died for the sake of the movement. The late Dr. Martian Luther King, and Rabbi. Abraham Joshua Heshual, Marched side by side in the March on Washington. Micheal Learner and Cornel West explore the relationship between the two groups, during and after the 1950's-1960's. Learner and West specifically address the bitter end of what seemed to be a good thing. Inspite of the awesome force that the Black-Jewish coalition has forged, like most things, it came to an end. But the ending was not romantic as it was hurtful. The murder of Dr. King declined the progress, and a new Black Nationalism emerged from the surface. The Black Nationalist believed that if "good Whites" were sincere they would, "go back to your own neighborhoods and teach there own people. We blacks have to solve our own problems"! The nationalist movement broke the partnership between the two groups. Micheal Learner and Cornel West dialog on current tentions, that includes Farrakhan and Crown Hieghts. There is no question that leaders from both sides added fuel to the fire between Blacks and Jews. When Jesse Jackson showed his favor Yassar Arafat, it disturbed the Jewish community. The American Jewish community layed out a full campain to murder the character of Jesse Jackson. They called themselves the "Jews against Jackson". There solgan was "ruien Jesse ruien". The Jewish attempt to destroy Jackson was an outrage to the Black community. No African American was more outraged than Louis Farrakhan. Farrakhan couldn't believe that Jackson denounced, and dismissed his assistance. As a result, Louis Muhammed Farrakhan lead a huge cusade against the Jewish community. In an attempted to "break up the relationship between Blacks and Jews Farrakhan preached anit-semitism to anyone who would listen. He has distributed literature entitled "the secret relationship between Blacks and Jews, and the Protocals of the Elders of Zion". He has hosted lectures on the "international Jew, and the Jewish conspircy to destroy Black Leadership. Although there is no question of small elements of Black anitsemitism, Micheal Learner also responds to racism within the Jewish community. He has admitted that racism is a double edge knife that cuts both ways. His book, along with the insite of Cornel West was designed to reach both communities. They reconized the problems and realities, than discovered positive ways of fixing it. They have done an excellent job of getting there serious message heard. Blackss and Jews, let the healing began!

It has been said that racism and bigotry are permanent in American culture. Not only is there not an ongoing public dialogue on issues of race and ehtnicity, but there's not even a common vocabulary for creating one. This is what West and Lerner try to change. While each maintains his own unique experience and perspective, the two of them solicit ideas and perspectives from each other, challenging each other's presuppositions, all in the atmosphere of a lasting, respectful, and genuine friendship.This book is required reading for every American who cares about the growing devides between us.

I read this first when it came out in the mid-90s and didn't like. I read it again and liked it much better, probably because I knew what to expect from the co-authors. And I give Lerner far more credit than before in presenting the Jewish grievances against blacks; West's arguments continue to sound weak.Now, almost 20 years later, there are no black-Jewish relations except on the very outer fringes of the Left. And the reason is simple: We never had and don't have anything in common. In fact, we are on opposite ends of the socioeconomic poles from blacks. Our natural allies are Asians, white ethnics and Christians. You can only get kicked in the teeth so many times before even the fool comes to realize that the kicker doesn't like him.