A Nation of Cowards

Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D.

There is a story about a member of the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament), well known for his irascible temper and sharp tongue, who became so incensed one day that he leaped from his chair and shouted, “Half of the Parliament are jackasses!”

There immediately arose angry shouts, catcalls and demands that he apologize forthwith or be ejected from the chamber.

“All right, I take it back, “he grumbled. “Half of this Parliament are not jackasses!”

I was reminded of this story because it speaks to an issue recently described in all the news media about a comment made by the Attorney General of The United States. He was discussing race relations in this country and alluded to the fact that we are not honest in our discussions. In fact he went so far as to state that we are a nation of cowards because we skirt the issue and never face it head-on.

The truth of the matter is that his assessment is correct and not for the reasons that we may believe.

During the presidential debates, primaries and subsequent election this fact was brought to the forefront. The “race issue” was in the background and at times even came forward as we proceeded to find a suitable candidate and eventually a suitable selection to occupy the highest office in the land.

Race relations in this country have gone through a metamorphosis more than once. The moral aspect of our national character was achieved with the advent of the civil rights movement of the early 1950’s and eventually was established as a national priority because of personalities like the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Revs. Abernathy and Jackson, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, President Lyndon Johnson, and the congress. It eventually took on a spiritual significance because everyone associated this moment in time with the Exodus of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. A spiritual song was written depicting that episode in human history and became the national anthem of the civil rights movement.

There were so many people responsible for the enlightenment that was achieved; students, business people, all people of good will were drawn to its banner. People died, were subjected to inhumane treatment and degradation. But when the dust settled there was a commitment supported by the people and their government to ensure that the progress achieved would remain part of our national conscience.

However, now we find that when we really attempt dialogue our intent and sincerity are brought into question. Discussions cannot take place without recriminations. If we really wanted to confront the question of equality we would put aside accusations and not cower at the thought of honest discourse.

Presently we are witnessing white firefighters accusing others of reverse discrimination. We are engaged in determining who will sit on the Supreme Court of the United States to fill the vacancy created with the retirement of Justice Souter. The nominee chosen by the president, who happens to be Latino, appears to be willing to define competency by gender and race.

And if such pronouncements were made by others, not of color there would be screams of racism and bigotry. Is this honest dialogue, honest debate? Is this how we face the issue? We need to be able to speak with clarity and to question that which we find objectionable without fear of recriminations. Maybe we are a nation of cowards because we cower at the thought of accusations which inhibits candor.

Perhaps the Attorney General of the United States should welcome an honest exchange. I challenge the notion that we are a “nation of cowards.” There is intimidation and we are made to feel as though we are bigots because we would really like to clear the air and have honesty as part of our dealings with one another.

Can we ever sit down and really talk? Can we ever face each other and be honest without the fear of being called racist? The ultimate path to complete equality is truthfulness. So yes, like the member of parliament so aptly described, half of us are not sincere but the other half would like to be. No insults, no catcalling, no apologies.

In Midrash Rabbah we learn that God cares for what you do more than for what your ancestors did. The past brought us to this time and place but the present will determine our future. We should not ask that past sins be forgiven but rather that we act with better insight, together with a simplistic understanding of faith, then perhaps we will be able to carry out our mandate as God’s children: To live in peace and harmony as one connected to the other which will bring us the connection to God we so sorely need. This does not breed cowardice, but rather a true meaning of human dignity.

Martin Luther King, Jr. did not get to the promised land but he had a vision and that vision is now a reality. Moses too gazed over the valley to view the ultimate reward but was denied the opportunity to participate in the triumph over adversity. It is time to go forward and continue to search for the meaning of acceptance and forgiveness and entitlement because we, their progeny, did cross over the river into a free and just society, not of cowards but of free men, women and children.