To our Jewish friends: You are not alone

by Rev. Dr. Charles E. Becknell Sr.

We live in a time when hate has continued to rear its ugly and destructive head. It is my belief that hate cannot only be destructive but also devastating. Hate is a learned emotion. When children are born, they do not come into this world hating anyone. They learn this from adults.

When I watch the news, I am dismayed by the hate generated and directed toward Jewish brothers and sisters. African Americans and Jews have suffered some of the same experiences and tactics that promote hate amongst our people. Churches and synagogues have been burned; peaceful people have been shot, maimed, and killed. Not because of anything we have done but because of who we are. 

Jews have stood with African Americans, marched with us in the Civil Rights Movement, prayed with us, and they have even been beaten and gone to jail with us. They have helped to fund numerous programs that promote African Americans' efforts to advance the cause of racial justice and equality.

The Jewish community has stood with African Americans – now is the time for us to stand with them. By doing so, we want our Jewish friends to know that YOU ARE NOT STANDING ALONE.

The Rev. Dr. Charles E. Becknell, Sr., who experienced segregation growing up in Hobbs, NM, is the author of Growing Up Black in New Mexico: No Challenge, No Change and "... has been a part of the re-telling of recent Black history in the State of New Mexico since his role as the first Director of the Africana Studies program at the University of New Mexico in 1969. He is State President of the Southern Leadership Conference and was a member of the New Mexico Black Leadership Conference in 1975." ("Meet the Rev. Dr. Charles E. Becknell, Sr." by Stephanie Hainsfurther The Paper, 2/15/2022)

See also:

First Africana Studies director rises from segregation to become educator, author, activist and pastor

Charles Edward Becknell Sr. is an example of living African American history and New Mexico state history. Becknell Sr. was the founding director of what is now The University of New Mexico’s Africana Studies program directed by his son and namesake…

UNM UCAM NewsroomMary Beth King

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