Hate Grows . . .

Hate Grows . . .

It is no surprise that hate grows in Connecticut.

You write that “Outrage at racism should not be divided by political lines,” and in the very next sentence become political in a way that fosters hate.

“[T]he existence of systemic racism” is presumed to be fact, and you warn us away from politicians who don't speak up as loudly as you think they should.

Read more »

The Governor's Gun Bill

I am reminded of the old Sting lyric, “if the Russians love their Children too.”

Every time the Governor addresses guns, I feel like he is putting a target on my back.

It is like the gun-owning public in the eyes of Governor Lamont is out to maim, kill, undermine the very fabric of American life, like we have not grown up and come to understand that the need to carry a gun that once existed has been obviated.

This just is not the case.

Read more »

Maybe Hating Those More Successful is Not the Answer

Mr. Bailey's commentary “Joe Biden is coming for your suburb. Good.” in Sunday’s paper reminds me of one of my mentor's conclusions about socialists: “It's not that they are for the poor. It's just that they hate the rich.”

Read more »

What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?

It has been sent about a few times recently. I share here as well: My take is that to use this in suggesting that the black man still suffers is a twisting of history.

ORATION, DELIVERED IN CORINTHIAN HALL, ROCHESTER

BY FREDERICK DOUGLASS,

July 5, 1852

ROCHESTER: Lee, Mann & Co., AMERICAN BUILDING

1852

ORATION.

Mr. President, Friends and Fellow Citizens:

He who could address this audience without a quailing sensation, has stronger nerves than I have. I do not remember ever to have appeared as a speaker before any assembly more shrinkingly, nor with greater distrust of my ability, than I do this day. A feeling has crept over me, quite unfavorable to the exercise of my limited powers of speech. The task before me is one which requires much previous thought and study for its proper performance. I know that apologies of this sort are generally considered flat and unmeaning. I trust, however, that mine will not be so considered. Should I seem at ease, my appearance would much misrepresent me. The little experience I have had in addressing public meetings, in country schoolhouses, avails me nothing on the present occasion.

God speed the day when human blood
Shall cease to flow!
In every clime be understood,
The claims of human brotherhood,
And each return for evil, good,
Not blow for blow;
That day will come all feuds to end.
And change into a faithful friend
Each foe.

God speed the hour, the glorious hour,
When none on earth
Shall exercise a lordly power,
Nor in a tyrant's presence cower;
But all to manhood's stature tower,
By equal birth!
That hour will come, to each, to all,
And from his prison-house, the thrall
Go forth.

Until that year, day, hour, arrive,
With head, and heart, and hand I'll strive,
To break the rod, and rend the gyve,
The spoiler of his prey deprive —
So witness Heaven!
And never from my chosen post,
Whate'er the peril or the cost,
Be driven.

Pivoting in the Wrong Direction

I tutored English for an extended Arab Islamic family in Kfar Kana. I'll never forget what one of the fathers said: “You must relate to them with a strong hand.” As a father of four then boys, now young men, two soldiers among them, I can't say I ever had this thought in relation to my own children. There was the rare battle of wills: there must be limits, obviously.

The point is this statement reflects a world view. There is a respect for raw strength. And I think most (American) Jews shy away from this, to the great detriment of our place in the world.