Something to consider..

I obviously can't put it all, here, because it's copy-written, however I will provide a link for the full text.  I stumbled across these words as I was browsing over the incidents of antisemitism among the Black community (of which there are surprisingly many).  Specifically at this time, I was curious as to the context of Jackson's "Hymietown" comments...

I read it a few times, and at first was rolling my eyes, thinking, this man knows nothing-- he just doesn't understand.  But I calmed, and realized the hypocrisy in such a thought, and considered the words again, very slowly.  I'm not sure he's entirely right, but I don't think he's wrong, either.  The words Jackson spoke were filled with real hatred, and real racism, but it also made me realize, maybe those moments are passing.  Racism, we are often taught, is a quality, something intrinsic, like having a bad temper.  I wonder if that's not the case at all...

Jackson is not an anti-semite. He is a leader who works each and every day at healing divisions within our society. Like many others, he has fallen prey to the media, who are always looking to topple successful people, particularly when those people are black.

Instead, maybe racism is something that's more taught, than intrinsic.  That it's a behavior, a habit-- a philosophy as well as a religion.  

Many insist racism is some intrinsic quality, in terms of human relations, but this is a misunderstanding of genetics and anthropology.  I won't go into it here, but another time...  I think instead the intrinsic quality is the fear of the 'other,' whatever that 'other' might be.

I felt defensive against this comment.  After all, of course Jackson is an anti-semite, just look at his words!  Then of course I realized the irony in my own position, and stepped back...

To this day, he stresses the belief that it is imperative that Jews and blacks work together, citing a common tradition of oppression and social activism. Like most humans have done, Jackson made a negative remark on one occasion in private.

I seriously doubt that Jackson spontaneously developed an antisemitic streak, and let loose a racial slur.  Nevertheless, is that so awful?  Are his words unforgivable?  I know that those who fought Imus wouldn't even think this worth mentioning.  I certainly never heard them shouting for Jackson, or ever crusading against him, or pointing out the irony in his position..

Then I realized I'd slipped over a passage in the letter, each time I'd read.  It was strange how easy it was to overlook this.

It is now in our hands to heal the breech. In recent times, black-Jewish relationships have faltered, and it is our responsibility as Jews to accept Jackson's apology. In doing so, individuals and society at large have a great deal to gain and nothing to lose. Jackson is a friend to the Jewish people.

And there, I came to an understanding.  Yes.  It is my responsibility to forgive.  When someone asks forgiveness genuinely, they are supplicating themselves to the other.  To ignore that request for forgiveness is an irresponsible, callous act...

So I forgave Jackson... Not because he needed my forgiveness, but because this.. anger, hatred, of Jackson, simply because of something that was taught to him... Didn't sit well with me.  I wish I could talk to Jackson, and ask him what he truly feels, to ask him, why he said that, what he was thinking.  Did it come from his parents?  His friends?  What has he done since?  Has he slipped up?  Such a thing can't simply be turned off, after all...

I guess these are questions I'll never have the answers to...

I will be left wondering, though, what's going to happen next?...

It is now in our hands to heal the breech.

K

Note:
http://www.pub.umich.edu/...
All quoted pieces written by Todd Michaels

Edit1:
Changed

"Then of course I realized the irony in this position, and stepped back..."
to
"Then of course I realized the irony in my own position, and stepped back..."
To clarify.  Confusion could be easy.