Well the Rastas will argue that they
underwent "bad treatment " and so, too the Tutsis and the Black South Africans but that does not give them the right to
call themselves "chosen". I admire several
aspects of Rastafarian philosophy but
I reserve the right to criticize those aspects of their world view that seem
questionable to me. "Chosen people" ideology is a great political
strategy but to elevate it into some kind of absolutist spiritual theory is counterproductive because once you argue that you are "chosen" you
fall into the exceptionalism trap that could justify the same kind of atrocities that led you there. I was surprised that you linked
"Chosen-ism" to holocaust responses, Ken. That was far from my thinking.
G
On Wed, Aug 5, 2020 at 13:42 Harrow, Kenneth <harrow@msu.edu> wrote:
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
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
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
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