Book group opens new chapter in relations between blacks, Jews
By SHAIYLA B. HAKEEM
YOUNGSTOWN
We are all given a name and assigned a Social Security number, but does that contain our identity?
The Jewish Community Relations Council sponsored an exploration of identity Sunday afternoon at the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown titled “Black/Jewish Book and Dialogue.”
The newly formed group made its debut discussion on the autobiography “Black, White and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self” by Rebecca Walker, daughter of Alice Walker, notable for her novel “The Color Purple.”
The idea was birthed by Dr. Tiffany M.B. Anderson, YSU’s director of Africana Studies, and Sarah Wilschek, Federation Program coordinator for JCRC. The two worked on the Ohio Non-Violence Week Committee and decided afterward to form the dialogue group.
“We were sitting there and decided that there should be some relationship between the Jewish community and the black community,” said Wilschek, “We thought focusing on literature, together, would be a really good starting point.”
Rebecca Walker’s autobiography was chosen as a focal point because she is half black and half Jewish.
Wilschek emphasized that the Black/Jewish Book and Dialogue group is not a book club. Though they may read and discuss multiple books, the focus is on dialogue.
“The idea is not to have a transactional relationship, but a conversational relationship,” Wilschek explained.
The open discussion was facilitated by Anderson. The conversation was informal and everyone was encouraged to voice an opinion or interpretation of Walker’s journey through her life. Anderson provided a brief synopsis of Walker, which set the foundation of the opening conversation topics.
In part, on Walker’s book, Anderson said, “Indeed her [Walker] personality changes as the pages turn ... and while unashamedly presenting the truths of her memory, Walker questions the connection between memory, blood, water and identity.”
Topics examined included the nature of adaptability in society, how one finds identity, the idea of a tragic mulatto (in regard to Walker), and how memory is linked to identity. As the conversations went on, people began to engage and share some of their personal experiences in relation to finding identity.
Youngstown resident Gwen Jackson thought the discussion was eye-opening. She has a biracial son who was raised in a split household, similar to Walker’s.
“I have never really thought about how my son identifies with, or does not identify with, my race and his father’s race,” Jackson explained, “I didn’t have a choice on who to identify with. Things are different now and it can get confusing.”
Anderson assured everyone that Sunday’s event is the first among many to come. In addition to literature discussions, plans include visiting historical museums in Cleveland, photography exhibits and submitting a film to the Jewish Film Festival focusing on the relationship between the black and Jewish communities.
“We want to really be agents of change,” Anderson said, “This is the beginning of what we hope to be a greater community relationship.”
For more information on future events and the dialogue group, contact Wilschek at 330-746-3250, ext. 123, or via email at sarahwilschek@jewish youngstown.org.