I've been reading an essay by the great philosopher Isiah Berlin, about Moses Hess, who according to Berlin 'virtually invented' Zionism. Hess's answer to the Jewish Question was that the Jews were a nation - a nation without a homeland.
Black people are not a nation, not a faith, what binds us? Today for white progressives and black activists, black people are defined by racism, by their/our victim status. White progressives and black activists do not challenge the concept of race. Biologists today accept that there is more genetic variation within supposed races than between them. Today's black academics and activists do not challenge the concept of race.
Race by definition is about hierarchy. In Berlin's essay he quotes Karl Marx who called a Jewish writer that he disapproved of 'the Jewish ni**er'. I'm reminded of the John Lennon song 'woman is the ni**er of the world'. I understand that this was a feminist slogan taken by Lennon and his wife/collaborator Yoko Ono. Anti-racists reading this will not need to read on, for them Marx and Lennon would be charged with racism. My point is a different one, that race has been so much part of their/our culture even these intelligent humanist regard 'ni**er' as meaning the lowest of the low. Are black people then the lowest of the low? Or can some other group be consigned to the position of 'ni**ger.
The concept of race was created by elitist white Europeans. Rather than challenging the concept, today's white progressives assert their virtue by affirming blackness. Black radicals confirm racial thinking by there preoccupation with whiteness. The Jewish Question was about where if anywhere Jews belong, assimilation or separation, even defining what a Jew is.
It would be a misnomer to talk about 'thinkers' about race today, should black and white people integrate or separate, is there such a thing as a black nation? Should any black person be free to live in any 'black country'. Should black people not be free to live in any 'white country'? Can we define any country as black or white?
Black activists today look to white people for recognition and compensation, they are preoccupied with racism, for today's 'anti-racists' black people are defined by racism. If we have a concept of race, then we must have 'ni**ers'. Do today's black activists believe that their white progressive supporters will willingly change places with them?
NB I don't think the word ni**er' has supernatural powers, but on some sites it will send your post to moderation.
I've been reading an essay by the great philosopher Isiah Berlin, about Moses Hess, who according to Berlin 'virtually invented' Zionism. Hess's answer to the Jewish Question was that the Jews were a nation - a nation without a homeland.
Black people are not a nation, not a faith, what binds us? Today for white progressives and black activists, black people are defined by racism, by their/our victim status. White progressives and black activists do not challenge the concept of race. Biologists today accept that there is more genetic variation within supposed races than between them. Today's black academics and activists do not challenge the concept of race.
Race by definition is about hierarchy. In Berlin's essay he quotes Karl Marx who called a Jewish writer that he disapproved of 'the Jewish ni**er'. I'm reminded of the John Lennon song 'woman is the ni**er of the world'. I understand that this was a feminist slogan taken by Lennon and his wife/collaborator Yoko Ono. Anti-racists reading this will not need to read on, for them Marx and Lennon would be charged with racism. My point is a different one, that race has been so much part of their/our culture even these intelligent humanist regard 'ni**er' as meaning the lowest of the low. Are black people then the lowest of the low? Or can some other group be consigned to the position of 'ni**ger.
The concept of race was created by elitist white Europeans. Rather than challenging the concept, today's white progressives assert their virtue by affirming blackness. Black radicals confirm racial thinking by there preoccupation with whiteness. The Jewish Question was about where if anywhere Jews belong, assimilation or separation, even defining what a Jew is.
It would be a misnomer to talk about 'thinkers' about race today, should black and white people integrate or separate, is there such a thing as a black nation? Should any black person be free to live in any 'black country'. Should black people not be free to live in any 'white country'? Can we define any country as black or white?
Black activists today look to white people for recognition and compensation, they are preoccupied with racism, for today's 'anti-racists' black people are defined by racism. If we have a concept of race, then we must have 'ni**ers'. Do today's black activists believe that their white progressive supporters will willingly change places with them?
NB I don't think the word ni**er' has supernatural powers, but on some sites it will send your post to moderation.
Excellent book review. This book is now on my Christmas wish list.
Great Substack, Winkfield
I appreciate the compliment!
🙏🏽
Well, I would have to agree wouldnt I-- Thank you!
This was a well written piece and has convinced me to purchase the book and see for myself