Working on a story about Jewish professors who fled Nazi Germany and found work at historically black colleges and universities in the U.S. (often the only places that would hire them), I came across the work of Theodor Adorno of the Frankfurt School of philosophy. His critiques of Nazism apply equally well to racism and slavery in America. One example: Only a humanity to whom death has become as indifferent as its members, that has itself died, can inflict it administratively on innumerable people. As a writer and visual artist, I was also struck by his statement in favor of creativity over violence: Every work of art is an uncommitted crime.
WoW! What an important way to present two incredibly serious points of view about a complex and emotionally charged topic. Bravo!!!
Thanks Ed. I’m learning more about the bonds forged between blacks and Jews during this period as I work on the story. The experiences they relate are both hair-raising and heart-warming.