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Open letter to the mayor
Dear Mayor Young:
It was with a profound sense of
dismay and disappointment that
we read the text of your interview
with Edwin Black on the subject of
black-Jewish relations. If indeed
the comments attributed to you are
accurate and in proper context,
what you have stated—and failed
to state—suggests at best, a dis
turbing naivete and lack of knowl
edge or worse, a callous, cynical
disregard for the sensibilities of the
Jewish people, particularly as re
lated to the anti-Semitism of Louis
Farrakhan.
This interview contains several
items that we find to be of concern.
For example, there are your com
ments regarding the trade relations
between Israel and South Africa,
and especially your professed ignor
ance of the far more extensive
trade that South Africa engages in
with the Arab nations. Mayor
Young, it is difficult to imagine
that one who has served in the Uni
ted States Congress, as America’s
ambassador to the United Nations,
as mayor of this international city,
and who has demonstrated a deep
concern and interest on issues relat
ing to both the Middle East and to
South Africa can possibly be un>
aware of the trade that has existed
between the Arab states and South
Africa. For example, according to
the Shipping Research Bureau, in
the early 1980s, 76 percent of South
Africa’s oil imports came from the
Arab nations—and their trade ex
ceeded $ 1 billion. Of course, critic
izing Israel while ignoring Arab
nations’ misdeeds is hardly new,
and it was the U.N. who created, or
at least perfected, that double stand
ard.
Of concern, too, is your response
regarding the wave of black anti-
Semitism that followed your U.N.
resignation in 1979. You imply in
this interview that you repeatedly
stated that it was not the Jews who
caused you to resign but that your
statements were “never enough.” I
was involved in at least three meet
ings with you where you did indeed
tell the group just that—it wasn’t
the Jews. These were all private
sessions with a limited number of
participants. What we asked and
never did receive or see was your
own written account for general
and broader consumption, stating
publicly—in a New York Times, a
Washington Post, an Atlanta Jour
nal-Constitution, an Ebony or Jet
etc...what you had said to us pri
vately. It isn’t 15 Atlanta Jews who
needed to hear and know that it
wasn’t us who caused you to resign.
It was and is the millions of others,
and particularly those in the black
political community, who needed
to receive that message, and they
really never did.
These are ongoing concerns, but
for the moment they take a back
seat to your remarks about Louis
Farrakhan. It is what you said of
Farrakhan and what you seem
ingly won’t say that prompts this
response.
The author of the current article,
Edwin Black, states at the outset
that tensions between blacks and
Jews are "rising." We disagree with
his assessment. We think it inaccu
rate. In fact, the opposite appears
to be the case. In 1979, following
your U.N. resignation tensions did
escalate. In 1984, during the Jesse
Jackson campaign and primarily
as a result of the anti-Semitism
expressed by the Rev. Jackson
and, far more virulently, by Louis
Farrakhan, those tensions rose once
more. In the interim there have
been areas of disagreement—affirm
ative action, the Middle East, South
Africa—but there has been cordial
dialogue on these items. Today, we
see genuine efforts to seek and
work on areas of mutual concern
and to be supportive of one another.
For us, Mayor Young, there
does remain a lingering obstacle to
our relationship. Perhaps there are
times that you might not appre
ciate or understand that American
Jews still do feel vulnerable. When
anti-Semitism surfaces, we tend to
look around to see where our friends
might be—those who will speak
out against anti-Jewish bigotry. So
we ask—“Are black leaders willing
to denounce anti-Semitism when
those who espouse it are also black?
Or, will they look the other way?” If
your response regarding Farrak
han is any indication, we have rea
son for concern.
Regarding South Africa, 'you
stated that you weren’t aware of
their trade with Arab nations. Now
you further suggest that you either
aren’t aware of (or never person
ally heard) Farrakhan’s anti-Semi
tism. Mayor Young, which planet
have you been residing on the past
year or so? Does news of Earth not
reach you?
To describe Farrakhan as some
one primarily interested in black
economic development is to des
cribe the KKK as a group primar
ily interested in feeding poor white
families at Christmas time. Each
has addressed those items, but that
isn’t what either is really about.
What they are about is breeding
and inciting group hatred.
The fact is that Farrakhan has
engaged in a steady stream of vi
cious, ludicrous, hateful comments
about Jews—historically and pres
ent-day. He has done it before the
National Press Club, on his radio
broadcasts, in his writing, in inter
views, and in his appearance before
largely black audiences, number
ing often in the thousands. The
attention he has drawn is primarily
a result of his sounding like a black
Hitler, not surprising, inasmuch as
Farrakhan has also praised Hitler
as “a great man.” (Incidentally, the
fact that Farrakhan, unlike Hitler,
does not have the instrumentality
to implement his bigotry is of mar
ginal concern. Farrakhan does have
the power and charisma to incite
hatred that can translate into vio
lence.)
You are quoted as stating you
agree with 9/10 of what Farrakhan
says—which'1/10 do you disagree
with? You are also quoted as stat
ing Farrakhan is “a legitimate force
for positive change....”
What kind of positive change
can result from bigotry?
Let me remind you of some of
Farrakhan’s specific comments
about Jews.
“Jews know their wicked
ness, not just Zionists, which is an
outgrowth of Jewish transgres
sion...”
“Israel will never have any peace
because there can be no peace
structured on injustice, lying, deceit
and using the name of God to
shield your dirty (or gutter) reli-
truction....”
“Jewish leadership...will guide
this nation (America) to its des
truction...” “The Jews wanted no
truth to be told if it conflicted with
their selfish interests.”
At a large rally in Washington,
on Aug. 18,1984, Farrakhan asked
what should be done to black lead
ers who seek Jewish support. The
chant came back—“Kill them.” Far
rakhan responded: “I didn’t say it,
but I second the motion.”
In addition, Farrakhan has
mocked the Nazi Holocaust, has
blamed the Jews for the slave trade,
for black poverty, for just about
every other condition of suffering
endured by blacks in America and
has even stated that it was “the
Jews” who were responsible for
Vanessa Williams losing her Miss
America title. Still, Farrakhan
draws large crowds, enthusiastic
responses and substantial media
attention.
There is more of his anti-Semi
tism, far more that we could cite.
We have shared with you several
items documenting and detailing
this man’s history of bigotry. We
look for some sign that Mayor
Andrew Young, one of America’s
and the world’s most prominent
and respected black leaders, is pre
pared to denounce and decry the
evil bigotry of Louis Farrakhan
and what do we see? An interview
containing pablum about Farrak
han and black economic devel
opment.
When Rabbi Meir Kahane es
pouses his racism, we speak out for
all to hear. We say—“For shame.
You do not represent the Jewish
people or principles.” We expect
no less of you. When you fail to
condemn this anti-Semitism or pre
tend it doesn’t exist the message we
receive is that you are tolerant of it.
It is the sin of silence.
Edmund Burke once stated, “The
only thing necessary for the tri
umph of evil is for good men to do
nothing.” Or say nothing, Mayor
Young.
Sincerely.
Stuart Lewengrub, Director
Southeast Regional Office
Anti-Defamation League of B'nai
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PAGE 9 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE August 30, 1985