Last evening, I was invited to an event billed as a conversation between Van Jones and Florence Shapiro. Bless her heart, she didn’t need to say much. Jones is a brilliant, experienced speaker who launched immediately into a history lesson, a personal explanation of his connection to the Jewish community, a forceful condemnation of stupid people (his term), an explanation of how that happens, and a call to action. Shapiro lent her support and applauded his message. Let’s look at his points.
First, the history of Black and Jewish alliances goes back to 1909 and the founding of the NAACP. Research names one of the co-founders as Henry Moskowitz, a civil rights activist. Jones finds the association to be a natural one: two minority, marginalized groups needed to work together then and still do.
Second, Jones talked about his time at Yale. White students didn’t think he belonged, Black peers resented him for “making them look bad,” and he was angry at everyone. Shapiro guided him to talk about his godmother. Although he didn’t name her, Dottie Zellner (thanks, research tools) took him by the hand, literally and figuratively, and changed his perspective. A white Jewish civil rights activist, she worked alongside Julian Bond, a name Jones knew well. She took him to Israel. She changed his life. During his description of the relationship, he wept.
Fourth, yes, I know, but bear with me. Out of order on purpose. Jones noticed that Jewish friends were not responding to texts after October 7th. He didn’t know why they were saying things like “I just can’t talk right now.” Finally, someone did tell him what had happened. Before he knew details, he assumed there had been a military skirmish on the West Bank. But when he heard “Gaza,” he knew it was Hamas, whom he described as “a terrible Nazi organization” who would, of course, target the “progressive, liberal, peace-loving, and social justice-oriented people” on the kibbutzim.
Third, Jones argued that people speak too confidently about subjects they barely understand, then repeat slogans with no historical background. He used the word “stupid” a lot. This short video summarizes and expands his remarks. He noted that many Black Americans have long distrusted wars they see as unjust, beginning with Vietnam. But his other points (Hamas, hostages, hate crimes, and homelands) offer what he sees as both common ground and a way forward.
Fifth, what’s to be done? The Black/Jewish Coalition of the American Jewish Committee has hosted Jones’ Exodus Over Dinner at which leaders foster dialogue between the communities. He reminded us that algorithms are not our friends. They are calculated to boost endorphins, not educate us or even help us. The greatest psychological and entrepreneurial minds are working on ways to keep us scrolling, not educate us. Beware.
In conclusion, does Van Jones speak for all Black people? No. Does he say things he shouldn’t? Apparently. He has to apologize regularly. Do I agree with everything he believes? No. He doesn’t expect that of anyone. On this topic, I found his insights persuasive, and I hope to do more to support this alliance.