Hamas Vs. Fatah & Afrolantica

The moderate-conservative Republican blogger opines: "Many blackfolks know the fable of Afrolantica. It was written by Derrick Bell, and tells of the mystical city of Atlantis rising from the sea. It turns out that all the inhabitants of this legendary greatest civilization on earth [w]ere black, and that when African Americans visited, all the burdens of their hearts were rolled away.

In fact, the effect of this nirvana were so profound that the very knowledge that they could go there at any time gave African Americans the inner peace they had desired for generations. This was a very powerful story because it illustrates how true hope can be more important than real gain. It's lesson certainly wasn't lost on me. When I think about the suicidal rage of Palestinians I wonder if in all of their Arab culture and history they had such a poet as Derrick Bell. Bell is by no means a leader of African America, but he has contributed to the last twitches of separate thinking, and in that regard has been inspired and insightful if pessimistic. Bell would never pick up a sword or advocate violent rebellion because he knows than in many ways his own ascent in America provided Afrolantic moments of hope for many blackfolks."He continues:




"Even with our great pessimists, African Americans could show the people of Gaza a thing or two. It is they who should be trying to understand us. Freedom and democracy can only be sustained through confidence. I am reminded once again that our Founders pledged their sacred honor in defense of liberty. It is a level of commitment some of our people have often struggled with maintaining. It certainly isn't easy. You just can't desire liberty, you must work to sustain it, in the face of tragedy and hopelessness. It is, finally, a measure of character and of leadership which sustains men of character and purpose. This is something the Palestinians lack, and the war between Hamas and Fatah demonstrate that corruption of character and purpose. I don't know how they will raise themselves from the desperation they have created. I don't see how the defeat of one side by the other can bode well for the fate of people in Gaza. But I do expect to see this cycle repeat. The Palestinians lack confidence and their Arab brothers lack confidence in them. So, I must confess, do I.





"And more commentary from Cobb: "Here in America, black critics such as myself and others in the 'sphere, are constantly criticizing aspects of black life we find abhorrent or distasteful. We stand in a long tradition of self-criticism and self-correction, and sometimes it sounds as if we can't see any good in ourselves. But the difference is that this tradition, as old as Frederick Douglass, is one generated by confidence in our own triumph. Despite the temporary inversion and celebration of degenerate rap celebrities, the African American tradition of the bully pulpit comes from true American heroes like Harriett Tubman and Booker T. Washington, James E. Just and Matthew Henson. There's a string of them whose names you know, men and women of peace and substance whose triumph inspires us all. Harold Ford, unfortunately, is talking out the side of his neck [arguing that the U.S. government should ally with and fund moderate Arab elements that appreciate freedom and democracy, and encourage more Americans to learn to speak Arabic and know more about Arab cultures and history]. Few will long note nor remember what he's saying here."