In the late 1980’s I chaired the Delaware Human Relations Commission for two years. I was appointed by the governor and I was truly honored to serve. I hated it. I didn’t hate the mission, the focus on equality and investigating incidents of inequality on all levels. The work done by the members of the Commission was solid; the staff was more than helpful. I hated it because I saw rampant racism among the members of the Commission itself. Sad to say, while I’m sure there were negative feelings towards African-Americans, the negative feelings by African-Americans towards Whites was obvious. As a matter of fact, one of the reasons I resigned – and I told the governor this – was because some of the most honored members of the community were two-faced at the least!
Is it only racism in one direction?
And what about anti-Semitism?
The combination was so reminiscent of Tom Lehrer’s 1960’s song on That Was the Week That Was decades ago. He wrote it in honor of National Brotherhood (sic!) Week and “National Brotherhood Week” is its title.
…Oh the Protestants hate the Catholics
And the Catholics hate the Protestants
And the Hindus hate the Muslims
And everybody hates the Jews!
I suggest you Google it in case you don’t remember the song or want to hear it for the first time. The lyrics go far beyond the Jews; it’s unfortunately relevant today.
That was well over fifty years ago, give or take, and it seems as if nothing has changed. It is a true sin to have such rishus (evil) in our hearts, and when an entity such as the DHRC manifests the very acrimony it is designed to change, indeed eliminate if possible, then what chance is there to accomplish the task?
In one conversation I gently brought up the subject with another member of the Commission, a prominent attorney, a gute neshumah (a good soul). I asked him whether I was being somewhat paranoid or did he find a similar situation. Being far more involved in the general community than I, active in his church as well as interfaith activities around the State, he said, “Are you kidding! So-and-so and so-and-so (two so-and-sos on the Commission) are known to be racist, and from what my radar tells me they’re not particularly chummy with Jews.” He then proceeded to tell me that he had been partnered with one of the two on a case of housing discrimination. “I went back to (the Director) and told him not to ever partner me with her,” and when he told him why the Director said, “I’ll take that into consideration and do the best I can, but you should know when her term is over, I’ll inform the governor – whoever that will be then – not place her again on the Commission.” He told me that the Director had problems with her across the years; her prejudices made her ineligible for continued service.
Here are the last lines of. Lehrer’s song:
National Brotherhood Week
National Brotherhood Week its
National everyone smile at
One another-hood week, be
Nice to people who are
Inferior to you. It’s only for a week so
have no fear
Be grateful that it doesn’t last all year.
The artificial week is no more, but it shouldn’t be necessary to highlight what it was designed to enhance…that should be all year!
(Speaking of love and compassion and kindness, two pillars of their church were walking home when they spied ten-year old Marty playing ball on the sidewalk. “Who’s that?” asked one of the church women, “I don’t recognize him.” The other said, “Oh, his family is new in the neighborhood.” “There’s something different about him. What nationality is he?” The other responded, “Why he’s American, of course.” “Well, you know, is he er-um-ah…” The other woman finished the sentence, “Jewish? Yes, I think he is. Why?” “What a shame,” said the first church woman, “Already a Jew – and so young!”)