Archives

Don’t turn Barack into the next bubble

Posted in Irshaddering Thoughts on Nov 12, 2008

At the Moral Courage Project’s “Hope, Not Fear” event, Edgar Bronfman says, “Hey kids, use your brains! Think. Doubt. Ask questions.”

At which point, Irshad gets ready to ask the mother of all questions…

(All photos: Phil Gallo)

The world continues to go bananas over Barack. I confess that it’s mighty fun to watch and, yes, even wallow in. But I also wonder if we’re creating another global bubble. On the heels of the mortgage bubble bursting, are we developing “irrational exuberance” about a different investment in our future?

To avoid turning Barack into a bubble, we need to give ourselves — and each other — the permission to ask questions. Out loud. Without accusing each other of being closet Republicans or party-poopers.

Clarification: As an independent thinker, I have no problem pooping on both of the major parties. But I’m pro-joy. I jubilate in intellectual honesty — also known as keeping it real.

In that spirit, here’s one question I believe deserves airing: Should Obama have visited a mosque during his campaign?

I brought this question to a major Obama supporter, Edgar M. Bronfman. He’s the former head of the World Jewish Congress and a co-author of the new book, Hope, Not Fear. Days before the election, I interviewed him under the banner of the Moral Courage Project. Enjoy this feisty excerpt from our exchange:

Manji: “Hope, Not Fear”: Apply it to this U.S. presidential campaign.

Bronfman: Obama is hope, McCain is fear…

Manji: But Senator Obama himself felt fear during this campaign. As we know, he’s visited synagogues, but never a mosque. Should he have visited a mosque?

Bronfman: It would be dangerous. Let him visit a mosque after he’s elected –

Manji: Isn’t that selling out, Edgar? Isn’t that not having the courage of your convictions?

Brofman: Well… I don’t know how to answer that. If I were Barack Obama, I would not go to a mosque because I don’t want people to say I’m a Muslim and instill fear of the Karl Rove type into the whole electorate, and skew the election.

Manji: But why not actually stand up to that fear and say, “I am a Christian, proudly so, who is reaching out to my Muslim brothers and sisters and that is what America should be about. Why not make such a statement?”

Bronfman: I’d love to him to make that statement — after he’s elected. I want him to be elected.

[PAUSE]

Manji: So you don’t have a whole lot of faith in your fellow Americans.

Bronfman: No, I don’t.

Manji: Ok, well, thanks for being honest about that.

Hey, I told you that I jubilate in keeping it real. Honesty really does make me smile. Which is why Edgar and I remain allies in the cause of moral courage. Join us.