the opportunity to sit down and talk with you in person. I'd love that. Until that day, DU will have to do.
Malcolm had made clear that he did not self-identify as an American while he was in the NOI. Yet his life was one of the most important and inspirational examples of an American experience in the nation's history. And you hit the nail on the head: he was conservative, and an amazing example of self-discipline. That, of course, was why his enemies feared him. He couldn't be tempted, or bought.
The question of non-violence as a tactic versus an absolute principle is one that I have dealt with for the past few decades. I do not fool myself into thinking I've ever fully answered it for myself. The instinct to protect one's family is hard-wired in us genetically for a purpose.
Rubin correctly did not believe in "race." He used to talk in terms of tribes: the black, brown, red, yellow, and white tribes. He noted that the white tribes of Europe (and then North America) often fought among each other, yet when a non-white tribe had a conflict with one of the white tribes, all of the other white tribes joined in. (Reminds me of the model of an extended Irish-American family!)
After reading your post late last night, and thinking of an adequate response, I found myself remembering some of Rubin's late night phone calls. Answering the phone here at 3 am, and hearing his voice say, "Pat! Do you know who this is?" A favorite was when he was hanging out with Nelson Mandela, discussing how to work towards resolving the violence in the Middle East that Rubin attributed to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. (Very different than our discussions on our flower gardens!)
It's in that context that we might benefit from viewing the current situation in the USA. Not the "it can't happen here" position, because as we know, it has happened here. The freaks with their confederate flags are honoring the obvious example of the Civil War. Native Americans were victims of the US version of those killing fields. And on and on.
After WW1, Carl Jung predicted that Germany would soon become nazi Germany, threatening all of Europe. This was from his interpretation of serving as a therapist for average citizens. He noted the common, largely unconscious features that led to his prediction of the rising of the "blonde beast."
We are witnessing the accumulation of largely unconscious behaviors of the synergy of racist and para-military groups today. Their behaviors are no different than the most ignorant, savage, and superstitious of "early man," though one might say they dress in more expensive clothing, and have more modern hair-cuts.
Yesterday, I saw how some of the Trump campaign's people -- not currently in the administration -- are prepping the alt-right internet sites, claiming that the combination of Marxists and the "deep state" are planning to remove Trump illegally (perhaps they are unfamiliar with the Constitution?), and the need for "patriots" to prepare for a war to keep him in office. The sad thing is that the people they are speaking to actually experience and define reality in that way.
Advances in technology have allowed them to network in new, nation-wide ways, instantly. Yet, as you note, that technology allows us new advantages, too. I like your understanding of cameras!
I had thought this OP might get more of a response from the DU community. But I prefer quality to quantity. I thank you for your response!
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