Comments on: A Letter to Alice Walker in Response to her Pro-Obama Article

By: Raita

Raita — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:01:16 +0000

I feel exactly like Thea.We were needed to march and sing.We, white women, were also needed by black men for sex and status.Today it’s the same thing with Muslin men.God if they knew that I’m part Jewish!
But then:’We are all partners in humanity.’ Tell me, why doesn’t it show?
Thank you Dr.Chesler,you clean my head every day.

By: Ken Wibecan

Ken Wibecan — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:56:25 +0000

Dear Ms Chessler:
I just read your letter to Alice Walker and it disturbed me greatly. I, too, was a part of the New York civil rights struggle during the 1960s, along with my friends–black and white. Many were Jews, but somehow that didn’t matter because we were concentrating on our objective. I strongly object to your statement about black men viewing white women mainly as sexual prey. I am a black man and saw no evidence of that and consider your remark quite insulting and racist.
It is so stereotypical that I am surprised that anyone would say such a thing these days.
As for Israel, it is interesting that anyone who criticizes Israel is accused of anti-semitism (which I assume means that one is anti Jewish even though Arabs are also semitic people). And, yes, I agree that there are many other nations in the world deserving of criticism. But why can’t Alice Walker criticize israel? Is there something that makes it immune from criticism? And if one chooses to say something negative about Israel is one obliged to criticize all other nations in the world that have human problems?
You and I both know that Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel receive different treatment within Israel. And that Arabs are treated as inferior pweople much like the blacks in South Africa were treated. Do you wish to ignore this? Do you also want to ignore that settlers in the West Bank are daily breaking international and Israeli law with impunity?
Why can’t we talk about these subjects? The one thing I agree with you about is that there are many parts of our world in need of improving their treatment of their fellow humans–and Israel is among them. It is time we engaged in this discussion withoiut being tarred with the brush of anti-semitism.

By: Tyrone Brown

Tyrone Brown — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:05:07 +0000

This is what Alice walker said in her letter concerning Cuba and Israel:

“I want a grown-up attitude toward Cuba, for instance, a country and a people I love; I want an end to the embargo that has harmed my friends and their children, children who, when I visit Cuba, trustingly turn their faces up for me to kiss.”

Phyllis, Alice Walker was clearly talking about the PEOPLE of Cuba and NOT Castro or his totalitarian government. And while our imperfect America may not be as bad as most imperfect countries, our country does persecutes its own, including artists, politicals and homosexuals for that matter.

Ms. Walker went on to say “I want the Israeli GOVERNMENT to be held accountable for its behavior towards the Palestinians…”

Where is the anti-Semitism in that statement? Are we to NEVER to question the behavior of the Israeli government? What is the correct way to voice a critical opinion?

Ms. Walker also went on to say “…I want the people of the United States to cease acting like they don’t understand what is going on. All colonization, all occupation, all repression basically looks the same, whoever is doing it.”

Where is the anti-Semitism in that statement?

What if someone finds themselves uncomfortable with an action or policy taken by the Israeli government?

Is it anti-semantic to even think or agree with her statement that “all colonization, all occupation, all repression basically looks the same, whoever is doing it?”

Have we reached a point where the very use of the word “anti-Semite” is no different than labeling someone a “terrorist” or “narco” (if you are in Central or south America) to silence the voice of reason or dissent?

I for one will continue to speak out against anti-Semitism and the miss-use of that label as well. There are plenty other people in the public eye to legitimately questions as anti-Semitic (like a Fidel Castro or the current Pope for that matter), but I have to say that for millions of people around the world…Alice Walker is not one of them.

Sincerely,

Tyrone Brown
Seattle, WA
brownty@seattleu.edu

By: Sue

Sue — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:24:06 +0000

When my first child was born I was given the, then, “it” book on child rearing: Dr. Spock. One event with my new baby and I threw Spock out. When I became a “feminist” and walked for women’s rights, I never expected that to come at the expense of men or others, ever. But there it is! The feminists hated women of ALL COLORS, not just white women. Folks all this is simply about hatred, pure and simple. Whatever your belief system, if it includes hate as does Alice or Wright or Michelle, then it is wrong…wrong and cannot be supported by any reasonable human being. Now, as to unreasonable, hating others, than human, I simply can’t say. All I know is that I “threw out” the feminism being preached in the 70′s and have never regretted it my entire life.

By: Brad

Brad — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:37:54 +0000

Libs, Dems, “progressives”–all totally obsessed with race and racial identity politics. I thought colorblind was the idea. Maybe when liberalism dies.

By: tanstaafl

tanstaafl — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:15:16 +0000

From Alice Walker’s recent statements on returning from a long sojourn in Mexico…

I want the Israeli government to be made accountable for its behaviour to the Palestinians, and I want the people of the US to cease acting as if they don’t understand what is going on.

What is it Ms. Walker thinks I’m missing in observing nearly the entire duration of Israel’s history since its formation in 1948 ?

Does Ms. Walker have some insights to offer as to how she might deal with individuals lobbing missiles and rockets into her backyard ? Or coming to a seminary or shopping center or university cafeteria near her with the express purpose of killing as many “Jews” as possible ?

It’s grandiose statements and pontification, Ms. Walker, that blocks human understanding. Something that (most recently) might be attributed to yourself, to Barack Obama, to another award winning writer, Doris Lessing, to Rowan Williams and to all the would be spokespeople for the human condition that absolutely continue to muddy the waters.

By: Fred

Fred — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:36:21 +0000

The best way to deal with intelligent people like Ms Walker is to show them the facts. Lots of facts. This means you first have to study the subject yourself, and to then explore the subject over time with Ms. Walker. I don’t know if either Ms. Chesler or Ms. Walker have the time or inclination to do this, but anything else, is at best, unreliable.

I’d guess Ms. Walker is both busy and an avid reader. Finding fair and helpful books on the topic might be a way to approach her.

By: melk

melk — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:07:05 +0000

And, Ms Chesler might have added, how do you exclude the disgraceful Mugabe from your list? Does he get a free pass because he is black? Does it ever matter when black people kill other blacks?

By: Thea

Thea — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 06:47:03 +0000

You know, I’m getting tired. I’ve walked the walk of classical liberalism and meant it all my life, and now I’m basically being told that because I am a white woman I don’t know anything, I’m not worth anything and I should just shut up and fall in line or I’m the “other” who will never understand and never be good enough.

Isn’t that precisely the message we liberal whites have been rejecting for the African-American community as we joined hands and sung ‘we shall overcome’?

Apparently nothing has been overcome. Apparently for the past 40 years we’ve been maintaining polite fictions, and those of us stupid enough to have been sincere when we sang it? Seems we were deluded or wasting our time. At least according to the Wrights and Walkers – the elitists of the movement that once upon a time was supposed to free all of us.

Good post, Ms. Chesler. America is in more trouble than we ever knew, and like you, I fear for this country no matter who becomes the next American President.

By: Chip

Chip — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 06:18:35 +0000

As an American Mormon, whose ancestors were once killed or driven from the then organized part of the United States, I want to add my voice of support to what is written here.

Brigham Young once said the difference between G-d and the Devil, is that G-d creates and organizes, while the whole study of the Devil is to destroy.

Using that simple rubric, we can discern. We can see who around us is building and who is destroying. . Just look at their societies, their cities, their neighborhoods, and their families. We know who is organizing and developing, and who is scattering and burning.