Race Matters: chapters 5-8

5) Towards the beginning of this section of reading he talked about blacks finding their identity and their relationship with the Jewish community. I was surprised to hear about how the blacks and the Jewish people did not get along or how it had such an impact. He then moved into talking about sexuality and a person knowing who he or she is and how that was mixed in with the Caucasian race. He talked about how the black people had the “upper hand” when it came to sexuality compared to the whites. In the last chapter West talked about Malcolm X and the growth of the black community.

4) Page 93: “ The fundamental crisis in black America is twofold: too much poverty and too little self-love. The urgent problem of black poverty is primarily due to the distribution of wealth, power, and income.”

Page 107: “In the present era, blacks and Jews are in contention over two major issues. The first is the question of what constitutes the most effective means for the black progress in America. The second major area of contention concerns the meaning and practice of Zionism as embodied in the state of Israel.”

Page 109: “In turning their heads form the ugly truth of Palestinian subjugation, and in refusing to admit the falsity of alleged Jewish conspiracies, both sides failed to define the moral character of their Jewish and black identities.”

Page 120: “ The major cultural impact of the 1960’s was not to demystify black sexuality but rather to make black bodies more accessible to white bodies on an equal basis.”

3)

Page 98 when it talked about black bourgeois preoccupation?

Page 126 the “brazen”?

Page 145 “cultural hybridity”

2) on page 97 it talked about how it was a quest for blacks to get involved with self respect, and self love to grow. I think it is very true, like my sisters students they have to set their own standards sometimes and know who they are and who they want to be.

On page 112 it talks about the underdog leaning on the old underdog for help. Everyone has been the “new guy” before. This year with teaching it was so nice to have the inters their to ask questions and too go to for support. We all need to help each other.

1) How is the black and Jewish relationship now, is it still a big deal to either parties?