Two National Black Leaders Stress Need to Continue Coalition Which Helped Bring About the Civil Righ

Two national Black leaders stressed today that despite differences on some issues, Blacks and Jews must continue the coalition which helped bring about the civil rights achievements of the 1960’s.

Both Rep. Julian Dixon (D. Calif.), chairman of the Black Congressional Caucus, and M. Carl Holman, president of the National Urban Coalition, also urged to the plenary session of the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council (NJCRAC) the importance of educating young Jews and Blacks about the past joint efforts in order-to continue the coalition today.

“As leaders, we have a responsibility to insure that future generations of Blacks and Jews understand how our shared experience has been and how strong it has mode our ties,” Dixon declared. Holman noted that he tried to impress on the young how Jews and Blacks worked together on both the local and national level to end discrimination.

ISSUE OF JACKSON’S ETHNIC SLURS

While today’s session discussed in general Black-Jewish relations, the issue was raised of the concern in the Jewish community over the statements by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, particularly those calling Jews “Hymies” and New York City “Hymietown.”

Dixon brought the subject up himself saying that the incident should teach a lesson that “all of us in the struggle against discrimination must be diligent from keeping the traces of such sentiments, however unintended, from shaping our thoughts and actions.” He called for “cool heads” to prevail and urged leaders in both communities to move ahead on their common program.

When Dixon was challenged that if a Jewish candidate had made a similar statement about Blacks, he would have immediately been condemned by Jewish leaders, !he Congressman replied that if Jackson had made the statements, he was “wrong.” He said critical statements have been made by at least three Black mayors. He added that he had never heard the term “Hymie” until the recent incident.

At the same time, Dixon urged Jews to understand the importance of the Jackson candidacy for the Presidency to the Black community. He said it was seen as a renewal of the drive for racial justice through the ballot-box, adding that Jackson’s campaign is expected to help elect more Blacks to local and state offices, and hopefully to Congress.

SEEKING A COMMON AGENDA

Earlier, Dixon noted that “the American Jewish community has understood the pain of racial discrimination just as the Black has and has been at the forefront of the movement to gain equal opportunity and to break the shackle of racism.”

He said that in seeking a common agenda, Black and Jewish leaders “must set a strong example by condemning and re-educating those who express anti-Semitic thoughts or ideas in the Black community and re-sensitizing those in the American Jewish community who have forgotten what racism and discrimination is.”

Dixon urged Jews not to consider those in the Black community, including Congressmen, who question U.S. policy toward Israel as either anti-Israel or anti-Semitic. Dixon, who has a strong record of support for Israel, said the Mideast is one of three areas which the media and some national Jewish and Black organizations had listed as sources of disagreement between the two communities.

He said the others were affirmative action, particularly quotas, and President Reagan’s appointment of five of the six members of the Civil Rights. Commission. On the latter, many of the 400 persons attending the four-day meeting, noted that many Jewish leaders and organizations have criticized the change in the Civil Rights Commission.

On affirmative action, Dixon noted that Blacks will not change the opinion of Jews and Jews will not change the opinion of Blacks. He said this should not prevent a dialogue between Blacks and Jews nor should it prevent their ability to work together on the vast number of issues upon which they do agree.

HoIman, who described the agenda that Blacks are seeking for economic and social progress, summed it up by saying: “I want for my child and grandchildren, no more, but not a whit less, than anyone else wants for his children, his grandchildren.”