Letters from Our Readers

14 Aug 2019

Letters from Our Readers /

This week we discuss the definition of concentration camps, the armed white right wing, and the criminal justice system. We share your comments for “A Concentration Camp By Any Other Name…,” “American Exceptionalism = American Murder,” and “The Rich White Man’s Justice System Protects Trump and his Cronies.”

In the radio segment “A Concentration Camp By Any Other Name…” author Zoe Samudziasks“Why are Jewish organizations given moral authority over use of terms like ‘concentration camp’ and ‘genocide,’” but not people from other groups that have been victimized by “genocidal conditions of containment?”

Jeff Weinberger writes:

“What an excellent interview toward connecting the dots between the projects of fascism, colonialism/capitalism and their manifestations in concentration camps, prisons, and ghettos, and rightly arguing that we need to be giving equal weight to the respective horrors of each. Two important additions to the list which my work as a homeless advocate continually places before me could be the more contemporary and interrelated, neoliberal-imposed phenomena of gentrification and the privatization of public space, the latter having become a common tool of so-called 'business improvement district' leaders whose wont is to dehumanize and criminalize human beings who they can't simultaneously categorize as consumers. I only think your lead into this piece is problematical, where you write, “Why are Jewish organizations given moral authority over use of terms like ‘concentration camp’ and ‘genocide,'" considering that the one notable org which claimed such authority, the US Holocaust Museum, was very clearly not given it and in fact was roundly condemnedfor its criticism of AOC's completely valid depiction of refugee prisons as 'concentration camps.' This was quite well reported, so your lead-in is off the mark and does a disservice to the rest of this excellent interview.”

In “American Exceptionalism = American Murder” Glen Fordwrites about how the history of white supremacy in the US makes law enforcement agencies ineffective against the armed white right wing.

Ken Brakebillwrites:

“Upon reading your recent article, I was reminded of the acquittals of Cliven Bundy & sons in both trials. It seems to me that the Bundy's are protected FBI assets tasked with keeping an eye on the militia movement. Otherwise, how to account for their not being prosecuted for what seem obvious crimes. You and I know that if blacks or muslims had been brandishing guns at federal officers and taking over federal property, they would have been mowed down like animals. Has Cliven Bundy even paid the million(s) due in grazing fees? I think this is a story that hasn't been told accurately yet.”

“The Rich White Man’s Justice System Protects Trump and his Cronies” by Howie Hawkinsargues that Trump and his aides are protected from impeachment and prosecution due to the complicity of Democrats in their alleged crimes and the unfairness of the criminal justice system.

Makheru Speakswrites:

“Until we break the monopoly the corrupt two-party system has on our minds, our liberation from the tyranny of America's oligarchic psychopathocracy is unthinkable.”

Don Debar writes:

“In other words, Justice will have to be found outside the formal system of Injustice. Duh.”

Dean Allen Joneswrites:

“’The formal system of Injustice.’ Seldom in human history has one short sentence contained so much irony and truth at the same time.”

Anyone familiar with the justice system knows that we cannot expect justice from it. The only way towards real justice is going to come through serious movements based on clear ideas for an alternative.

Jahan Choudhryis Comments Editor for Black Agenda Report. He is an organizer with the Saturday Free School based in Philadelphia, PA.

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Please join the conversation on Black Agenda Report's Facebook page at http://facebook.com/blackagendareport

Or, you can comment by emailing us at [email protected]

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