Jack Salzman, Cornel West Struggles in the Promised

416 // CORNEL WEST
our criticisms and respectful in our exchanges. Second, we must be more self-critical
of ourselves, our positions, and our vantage points. What powers and
influences do we actually have? How do we use them? What are the major priorities
in our agendas? Do we make them clear to others? How do we rationally
defend them? Are they subject to rational scrutiny? What are the fundamental
ideals we cherish? Are they the same ones we espouse publicly? Third, we must
focus on principles and realities bigger than the immediate interests of the Black
and Jewish communities. Black-Jewish cooperation can never be based on a cold
calculation of Black and Jewish needs. Rather, it must be regulated by broad and
universal ideals of democracy and decency, fairness and dignity, justice and freedom
for all. But these ideals are empty if we continually treat those within and
across our communities in a cold-hearted and mean-spirited manner. The best of
the Jewish tradition puts a premium on mercy and justice: the best of the Black
heritage, on improvisation and experimentation. Both require bonds of trust and
cords of empathy. Without them, Black-Jewish cooperation is but sounding brass
and tinkling cymbal.