Star Parker Compares Blacks to Palestinians

In an article entited, “The Universal Affliction of Irresponsibility,” black conservative writer Star Parker argues that the same sense of hopelessness that afflicts Palestinians afflicts black Americans. She argues that both blacks and Palestinians would rather blame their oppressors than take responsibility for their actions. Normally, I agree with Star, and I’m an avid reader of her normally-excellent columns. She is an amazing thinker and writer. But this time Star went too far.

I am first-class ticketed passenger on the black-personal-responsibility train; I believe that, in order for black America to reach its highest heights, our people, especially our men, need to take more responsibility for ourselves, our education, our health, our children–you name it. I am not above self-criticism. But, within this movement, there is plenty of room for criticism of the oppressors.

The major flaw in her reasoning is evident in her opening sentence: “Many of the problems in America’s inner cities seem to me similar to Israeli-Palestinian problems as described by a scholar of an Israeli think tank.” She goes on to write, “I know very little about Islam and next to nothing about the Middle East.” Huh? Then what qualifies you to write this article? But she continues, stating, “I do know irresponsibility when I see it.” Oh really? Isn’t it irresponsible to write articles on subjects you know nothing about?

I wish Star would have written something much more profound. That is, that black America’s use of non-violence in order to overcome brutal oppression is one of the most astonishing developments of the 20th Century, and that, perhaps, the Palestinians should observe that same tactic.