Re: “Nuclear Negroes” (May 7, 2012)
I’ve been at a serious loss for words regarding the highly offensive nature of “Nuclear Negroes” but as I now formulate a response, one word would be “incredulous.” In 2012, one would hope that you were more in tune with the incorrectness (political, racial, cultural or historical) of the term “Negro”! Five centuries ago it was phased out of use, but you even saw fit to feature the epithet on the cover!
The “Negro” was the stereotypical creation of racist Euro-American journalists, orators and cartoonists, a caricature invented for the consumption of an equally racist public via theatre, cinema and the press. It was a reflection of the fear and contempt held in the hearts of a hateful society, depicting the African as inherently inferior and worthy of scorn. The name itself disconnected him from his history and culture. Negroes were head-scratching, subservient circus performers and collaborators in their own demise. Any conscious African would eschew the term, as they would the other “N-word”.
We found little that was funny in the column, but much that was disgraceful. Racism is an ugly and growing blight on the Israeli landscape, one that you have greatly contributed to. Your insensitivity is a reflection of the increasingly prevalent fear and contempt of Africans here (whether Jewish or refugees). Sure, you can deflect some criticism by holding Mr. Freeman to blame or invoking comic license.
But African Americans – inclusive of Mr. “free man” (how ironic, or is that his stage name?) – needn’t wait ‘til the end of the world to be the “hardest hit”. Even under their first Black President, African Americans are already at the very bottom of America’s deepening socio-economic abyss. Not much to laugh about there.
As for poking fun at the specter of a nuclear confrontation in the region, I again fail to see the humor. In the face of global warming, economic meltdowns, the rise of obesity and other ongoing disasters, is this the best you can do?! Don’t get me wrong, a little tasteful humor has its place. But “Mega-Darkies”?! We already “hear the hearts of all other human beings”… and they are saying that they expect Israel to be a redemptive force – “a light unto the nations.” We in Dimona are already “glowing”! – jrepletters@jreport.co.il
Ahmadiel Ben Yehuda
Hebrew Israelites’ “Village of Peace”
1433/1 Aliyah
Dimona 86000 ISRAEL
