Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - ‘Chosen people’ ideology

many jews to today renounce the epithet "chosen," probably for reasons similar to what you cite, gloria. in our liturgy the wording about chosenness is changed, especially in reconstructionist judaism here in the states. perhaps cornelius might tell us better about european, which is more orthodox.

after the holocaust, most jews felt bitter about the notion of chosenness. for some, the wording in the bible led jews to think it meant being a light unto other peoples. but faith in any special designation, after the holocaust, had to be replaced by bitterness.

how its adaptation by rastas worked out is another matter. but i think you should temper your thinking about what it means for jews of today, especially after having faced total extermination in the time of their grandparents, or parents.

i agree it becomes used instrumentally by israeli nationalists to justify the state of israel, and an excuse for their bad treatment of palestinians. i find that reprehensible. but not all jews agree with me on that point.

ken

kenneth harrow

professor emeritus

dept of english

michigan state university

517 803-8839

harrow@msu.edu

---

From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Harrow, Kenneth <harrow@msu.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, August 5, 2020 11:39 AM
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - 'Chosen people' ideology

 

what was this thread in response to? i see gloria quoting some posting, but only that one line.

ken

kenneth harrow

professor emeritus

dept of english

michigan state university

517 803-8839

harrow@msu.edu

---

From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Gloria Emeagwali <gloria.emeagwali@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 5, 2020 10:39 AM
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - 'Chosen people' ideology

 

"The word has been used to describe one of God's chosen people...."


"Chosen people" ideology is actually
detrimental and counter productive
in that it could even endorse genocide. It is an innovative geopolitical strategy
sometimes cloaked in theological garments, designed to rally the troops and energize communities, but it could even lead to Rwanda - like genocidal situations. It is built on
platforms of narcissism and even
triumphalism,  as seen in policies such as "Manifest Destiny"of the US, and even South African apartheid.

No people  on planet 🌏
earth have ever been specially chosen
except in imaginary reconstructions and geopolitical strategic modeling.
No one expects a  supreme being to be a supporter of apartheid, old and new - with due respect to the Abrahamic theological edifice.

GE

--
Listserv moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To subscribe to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue+subscribe@googlegroups.com 
Current archives at https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue__;!!HXCxUKc!hdXn6w8x6j0YRDOe9VjIFWnSDVqLlQ6ys8OZNhqqJhjjPCeZrxMMasTQpeABsg$
Early archives at https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html__;!!HXCxUKc!hdXn6w8x6j0YRDOe9VjIFWnSDVqLlQ6ys8OZNhqqJhjjPCeZrxMMasSfdbmgXQ$
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "USA Africa Dialogue Series" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to usaafricadialogue+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/usaafricadialogue/FCEB78FC-80BF-4278-AC00-4D2284FFE5A9*40gmail.com__;JQ!!HXCxUKc!hdXn6w8x6j0YRDOe9VjIFWnSDVqLlQ6ys8OZNhqqJhjjPCeZrxMMasSPVvJBwQ$ .

--
Listserv moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To subscribe to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Current archives at http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
Early archives at http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "USA Africa Dialogue Series" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to usaafricadialogue+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/usaafricadialogue/DM5PR12MB2456CB4A115203EB33A776B9DA4B0%40DM5PR12MB2456.namprd12.prod.outlook.com.