Fresh Controversy Hits 'Selma' ... Jews snubbed?

Fresh Controversy Hits 'Selma': Daughter of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel 'Shocked' by Exclusion of Her Father From Film | Black film maker changes history, eliminates MLK's Chief Jewish supporter .... A timely movie marred by the meaningful omissions and distortions of a well-intended, but short-sighted producer. To some of my people, denying the huge role played by Jewish people during the Civil Rights Movement is like denying the Holocaust. I was one of those who was involved. My reasons were simple, but profound. Black people are human beings just like me. I personally knew racism that we Jews had little power to defend against. We did have justice in the courts, while too many black people could not count on colorblind justice. We celebrated the opportunity to change institutional racism for black people, knowing that this country had fallen woefully short of God’s commandments and the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. But, we also knew that marching with others who had been discriminated against would improve conditions in society for us as well. I understand the celebration of Dr. King’s leadership in that movement and that our country needed a symbol of independence from institutional racism, like George Washington is America’s symbol of independence from a monarchy. But part of me has always felt that we should have a Civil Rights Day, maybe on the anniversary of President Johnson’s signing the law, like we celebrate Independence Day. Without such a holiday, the contributions of millions of people, then and ongoing, will fail to be recognized by future generations. Will we always be searching for another MLK, or do we want all Americans to share the responsibility to defend everyone’s civil rights, as we do our Constitutional rights?