This podcast explores the complex relationship between Black and Jewish Americans, discussing their unity during the civil rights movement, the rise of anti-Semitism, and the historical context of their connection. It also delves into the Nation of Islam, the shift towards Black Power, and tensions and dynamics between Black and White activists. Other topics include the baby boomer generation's influence on American institutions, Lyndon Johnson's reformist agenda, destructive behavior during conflicts, and the history of the New York City public school system.
The civil rights movement in the late 1960s caused a split in the Black Jewish alliance, leading to public anti-Semitism and worsening the already strained relationship.
The civil rights movement shifted from legal equality to black identity and power, influenced by the rise of the nation of Islam and anti-Zionism.
Tension grew between black and white communities in northern cities due to migration, white flight, and economic disparities.
Efforts to integrate schools and neighborhoods in the urban North struggled to keep up with the rapid influx of black residents, resulting in self-segregation and lack of representation.
The 1968 teacher strike in New York City marked a turning point in American race relations, challenging the UFT's leadership and highlighting complex racial tensions.
The romanticized image of the 1960s as a peaceful era does not reflect the reality of significant events and movements that had already taken place, such as the Civil Rights Movement.
Deep dives
The Fragmentation of the Black Jewish Alliance
The civil rights movement in the late 1960s subsumed by a third worldist outlook, causing a split in the Black Jewish alliance. The alliance had been a backbone of the civil rights movement, but the turning point came when activist groups, such as the Black Panthers, turned against the state of Israel and American Jews. This led to public anti-Semitism and worsened the already strained relationship. The recent uproar over the Israel-Palestine conflict has brought this issue back into the spotlight.
The Shift to Anti-Zionism
The civil rights movement shifted from legal equality to black identity and power. The rise of the nation of Islam influenced black consciousness, and the group's anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism found resonance among black activists. The global left began to condemn Israel, transforming its image from a refugee state to an outpost of white imperialism. African Americans, viewing themselves as victims of oppression, saw a connection with Palestinians and turned against the Black Jewish alliance.
Tension in Northern Cities
As blacks migrated to northern cities, tension grew between black and white communities. White flight compounded the issue, leaving black neighborhoods with predominantly black populations. The clash between ethnic groups and the perception that whites held economic power in black neighborhoods led to resentment and conflict. The lack of integration and inequality in schools and housing exacerbated racial tensions.
The Breakdown of Integration
Efforts to integrate schools and neighborhoods in the urban North struggled to keep up with the rapid influx of black residents. Open enrollment programs attempted to promote diversity, but the demographic reality prevailed, leading to self-segregation and a lack of representation. The high aspirations of the civil rights movement collided with the challenges of housing, education, and employment for the growing black population.
The Rise of Community Control in New York City Schools
The 1968 teacher strike in New York City marked a turning point in American race relations. Violent black radicalism clashed with liberal opposition for the first time, leading to significant changes in the city's political culture. The strike occurred amidst a backdrop of increasing urban violence in the late 1960s, with riots erupting in cities across the country. Black communities demanded community control, advocating for black teachers, black police officers, and black-owned businesses. However, the strike challenged the fundamental pillars of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), as black activists sought to break away from white, Jewish-dominated leadership. The strike marked a shift in public perception and highlighted the complexities of racial tensions in America.
The Myth of the 60s: A Closer Look at the Era
The 1960s are often romanticized as an era of peace, love, and social progress. However, this image does not accurately capture the entire decade. The myth of the 60s focuses on the period from the Summer of Love in 1967 to Woodstock in 1969. In reality, many significant events and movements had already taken place by that time. The Civil Rights Movement reached its peak with the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act in 1964-65. The counter-culture and anti-establishment sentiments portrayed by the myth represented the decline rather than the beginning of these movements. Understanding the true historical context of the 60s helps debunk the romanticized image associated with the era.
The Impact of Mass Migrations on American Cities
Mass migrations have historically presented challenges and disruptions to American cities. The influx of Irish immigrants in the mid-19th century and later migrations of Okeys and African-Americans put significant stress on urban institutions, leading to overcrowding, increased crime, and societal tensions. While some communities resisted integration, the liberal ruling class often sided with new arrivals, exacerbating existing conflicts between previous residents and newcomers. The pattern of disruption and resistance has reoccurred throughout American history, and these social dynamics shaped policies and contributed to racial tensions in various cities. Understanding these historical patterns provides insight into the challenges faced by communities during times of mass migration.
The Emergence of Community Control and its Challenges
The push for community control of schools, exemplified by the Ocean Hill Brownsville School District in Brooklyn, brought about significant challenges and conflicts. This black-majority district became a testing ground for decentralization and community involvement, with a radical black principal named Rody McCoy taking charge. The United Federation of Teachers raised concerns about contractual rights and the potential for eroding standards and corruption. The experiment highlighted the clash between radical activists and the established union, with racial and ideological tensions playing a role. The Ocean Hill Brownsville School District served as a microcosm of the larger struggle for community control and the complexities it entailed.
Conflict between UFT and Community Control Board
The UFT initially tried to be accommodating to the demands of the Community Control Board, but tensions escalated as the board implemented curriculum changes promoting black separatism and revolution. Black radical teachers turned their classrooms into training centers for black militants, leading to discrimination against white students. As the situation worsened, the UFT fired teachers for ideological non-compliance, leading to protests and strikes.
The Battle Turns Into Black vs. Jews
The conflicts in Ocean Hill-Brownsville took on a new dimension as African American activists like Rody McCoy turned the battle into a fight between blacks and Jews. By framing the conflict this way, the black militants faced a much tougher fight as Jewish teachers defended themselves against accusations of anti-Semitism, leading to a highly polarized situation.
Violence Erupts and Schools Face Chaos
In the winter of 1968-69, racial violence erupted in schools across New York City. Black students, encouraged by black teachers, threatened and attacked white students and staff. The deteriorating situation led to closed schools, arson, assaults, and riots. The response from law enforcement and city officials was insufficient, contributing to a breakdown in safety and order.
Legacy and Long-Term Implications
The 1968 New York City teachers strikes and the conflicts in Ocean Hill-Brownsville had a lasting impact on American politics and race relations. The events fractured the delicate Democratic Party coalition, polarizing groups like liberal Jews and black activists. The conflicts marked a turning point, highlighting the difficulties in addressing racial tensions and the complex dynamics between different minority groups.
Hi everybody. This is the audio version of a six-part essay series called Blacks and Jews. I wrote it for my Substack a while back, so if it sounds like I’m reading instead of speaking naturally, it’s because in this case I am. I decided to release this to everyone on the main feed because, in light of the recent uproar and brewing Democratic Party civil war over the Israel-Palestine conflict, it’s suddenly become quite timely. Black and Jewish Americans were uniquely united until the late 1960s, when the civil rights movement was subsumed by a Third Worldist outlook that caused the Black Panthers and other activists to turn on the State of Israel, and then on American Jews. It precipitated a split in the so-called Black-Jewish alliance which had been the backbone of the civil rights movement during its glory years, and led to some of the worst outbursts of public antisemitism in American history. The intra-left wing conflict over the current conflict in Gaza is not a new story, and in fact is an example of scabs being torn off old wounds that had barely begun to heal. I wrote this series as I was preparing the most recent episode of Whose America, Inner City Blues, so those of you who’ve heard that will be familiar with some of the material, but there’s also a lot of material that wasn’t in that episode.
As I said, this was previously released on my Substack, so if you enjoy this kind of content maybe you’ll show a little holiday cheer and help support the podcast by becoming a subscriber for just $5 p/month or $50 p/year. This is a 100% listener-funded show, I don’t have sponsors or any other kind of funding except what you guys contribute, so your generosity is greatly appreciated.
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