By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

America’s blacks—or African-Americans—constitute less than 14 percent of our population. Yet, turn on the TV and you will see them in almost every commercial; and you might think that they constitute the majority. Similarly, there are approximately 15 million Jews in the world, yet view our media or politics and one might think that they are in control too.

Has national guilt over slavery and discrimination elevated blacks beyond where their numbers would warrant? Similarly, have the Holocaust and money elevated Jewish influence beyond where it would be otherwise? Both guilt and money are useful if not essential tools in the struggle for power.

In many ways, Barack Obama has represented the convergence of these two elements. Born to a white mother and raised by her white parents, he embraced the anger of discrimination. At the same time, he hated the Apartheid of his absentee father’s Africa, which was and is embodied in today’s Israel.[2]

Challenging the “sacred cows” of racial and religious bigotry invites condemnation from both blacks and Jews, who have built their present American political facades carefully over decades. Some blacks favor reparations for slavery, while some Jews believe their suffering in the Holocaust warrants favoritism and, yes, the domination and subjugation of others.

In national politics, few Americans are willing to challenge either group, and bow their heads when the thugs of “Black Lives Matter,” Antifa and other groups burn our cities and terrify white and black Americans alike. Similarly, few non-Jewish Americans—especially those in the Congress—are willing to stand up and condemn the multi-decade genocide of Benjamin Netanyahu, the “Settlers” and rabid Zionists in Israel.

Are there American blacks who do not discriminate against their non-black counterparts? Certainly.[3] Are there American Jews who do not seek favoritism and power over others, nor seek to exploit the horrors of the Holocaust? Certainly.[4] America is literally a melting pot, the greatest in the world; and each American plays a role in its existence, perpetuation and destiny.[5]

And yes, we need to salute those Americans—of all colors, faiths and backgrounds—who have served or are serving in our military, on this Memorial Day![6]

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© 2024, Timothy D. Naegele

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[1]  Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass).  See, e.g., Timothy D. Naegele Resume-21-8-6  and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/accomplishments/   He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University.  He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at The Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service).  Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/articles/ and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/articles/), and studied photography with Ansel Adams.  He can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com

[2]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/ (“Is Barack Obama A Racist?”)

[3]  See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/01/03/edward-w-brooke-is-dead/ (“Edward W. Brooke Is Dead”)

[4]  See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/americas-jews-are-americans/ (“America’s Jews Are Americans”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2023/10/23/sadly-this-book-is-out-of-print-because-its-wisdom-is-needed-now-in-the-middle-east-and-globally-more-than-ever/ (“Sadly, This Book Is Out Of Print, Because Its Wisdom Is Needed Now In The Middle East And Globally More Than Ever”)

[5]  See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/26/america-a-rich-tapestry-of-life/ (“America: A Rich Tapestry Of Life”)

[6]  See https://news.va.gov/131420/200-memorial-day-observances-across-country/ (“More than 200 free Memorial Day observances and events across the country”)