Sunday Soundoff: State of the Union, Africa Relations, Antisemitism Forum

By Donald H. Harrison

SAN DIEGO – The rowdy way that some Republicans in the House Chamber greeted portions of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union message on Tuesday, Feb. 7, was a terrible example for our country, which yearns for bipartisanship and progress rather than division and rancor.

As was typical, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia,  was the most disruptive of all, continually heckling the President, and even yelling that he was a liar.  Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-California, felt obliged to shush her and other disruptive colleagues

Imagine the reaction of schoolchildren to this display of discourtesy.  If our “leaders” behave this way, they might wonder, why shouldn’t children do likewise?

I’m reminded of the well-worn story of kindergarteners who were acting up in an Israeli classroom.  Some were throwing erasers, others were jumping from tables to the floor, and still others were racing around the circumference of the room.  “Children! Children!” cried their teacher.  “Where do you think you are, the Knesset?”

Now, apparently, we can import that joke to the United States.  “Children!  Where do you think you are, on the floor of Congress?”

It was a shanda.

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Congratulations go to Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-San Diego, for her appointment as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Africa of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.  The African continent contains 54 fully independent countries, of which one—Ghana—is home to the San Diego sister city of Tema.  San Diego also has 15 sister cities in other parts of the world.

The International Sister City Program used to be flourishing, with exchange visits not only between officials of the partner municipalities, but also between teachers, students, tradespeople, law enforcement, professionals, service club members, and many other entities. The idea was to foster person-to-person contacts, thereby bringing the peoples of the world a little bit closer.  Unfortunately, today in many cities, the Sister City program is languishing.   Perhaps our congresswoman will look into the value of revitalizing the program, especially as it affects Africa.

Recently, my daughter Sandi returned from a three-week business trip to Ghana, where after a brief stop in the port city of Tema, she visited Accra, Kumasi, and the little-known Jewish village of Sefwi Wiawso, which is located approximately an 8-hour drive from Accra.   She was fortunate to be there for a Havdalah service, which was conducted outside the community’s small Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Members of that community, who are surrounded by people of other faiths, hunger for contact with other Jews, Sandi reported on her return.

In announcing her appointment as the subcommittee’s ranking member, Jacobs commented,  “The African continent has long been ignored, neglected, and exploited by the international community, especially by the West, largely receiving attention in only the most dire circumstances and through a paternalistic approach. But the world’s youngest continent – and one of the most populous – is shaping its own destiny and that of the global order, and we need to take notice. The United States has a responsibility to play a positive role in furthering progress on the continent – like addressing conflict, upholding human rights, and strengthening good governance – and tackling global challenges together. To do this, we must follow the lead of local communities and civil society and avoid familiar patterns of colonialism. Through my role as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, I plan to recognize Africa’s key geopolitical power and help build strong, lasting, and mutually beneficial partnerships with African nations that center African voices and advance our shared priorities.”

I’m not sure about Africa being the “youngest continent,” because it generally is agreed by scientists that our first human ancestors arose in Africa.  The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History states on its website that “during a time of dramatic climate change 300,000 years ago, Homo sapiens evolved in Africa.  Like other early humans that were living at this time, they gathered and hunted food and evolved behaviors that helped them respond to the challenges of survival in unstable environments.”

However, I certainly agree with the rest of the congresswoman’s statement, especially that the United States “has a responsibility to play a positive role in furthering progress on the continent.”

Jacobs also announced that she will serve as vice chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus in Congress  to promote equality for all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics.”

She stated in a news release: “My trans brother and gender non-conforming sibling have made such a big, positive impact on my life, inspiring me to be braver, live freer and always be myself.  I’m so honored to serve as Vice Chair to advocate for my siblings and the LGBTQ+ communities in San Diego and across the country.  The responsibility to fight against the flood of anti-LGBTQ+ and specifically anti-trans, rhetoric, policies, and violence can’t fall solely on the LGBTQ+ community – we need more allies to step up use their privilege, and push until everyone can exist and love freely.”

Kol Hakavod, Congresswoman Jacobs.  Hazak! Hazak!

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Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, spoke on Thursday, Feb. 9, at a United Nations gathering to combat antisemitism co-hosted by Argentina, Canada, Israel, Morocco, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

“I’m the first Jewish spouse of a U.S. President or Vice President,” he commented. “That is why antisemitism has a special significance for me personally. And yet, this is not just about me. It’s not just about Jews. It’s about all of us. Antisemitism is often accompanied by other forms of hatred and intolerance.”

He added: “We must build coalitions to tackle this epidemic of hate. We must bring together people from all backgrounds, faiths, and ethnicities. Because hate is interconnected. It affects everyone. And we must make sure every one of our communities feels safe. All people must be able to live and worship, and be who they are freely, without fear and without being subject to violence.”

He said the United States “will lead the way on this issue.  This moment requires bold collective action and urgency, not just concepts.”

Yes, indeed, Mr. Emhoff.  But what kind of collective action?  Hate speech often leads to hate acts.  But hate speech in the United States is protected under the First Amendment.  Just as automatic weapons often get into the hands of dangerous people, so too do Internet sites with broad readership.  But what can be done in either of these cases?  Are Constitutional amendments the answer?

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Donald H. Harrison is editor emeritus of San Diego Jewish World.  He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com