152 November 8, 2023
There’s just over two weeks before my two-book launch. These are my fifth and sixth books on Amazon, but the first time I’ve had the nerve and strength to do some marketing. It’s truly a ‘Coming-out party’ for me. A really big deal. For the first time, I’m handing out invites to strangers, spending an hour or more on most days, in front of a food store or anywhere else where a steady stream of people happens. Although greatly invigorated and encouraged, I have no idea as to how many will gather at the launch. But I know I will have done my best. That’s all I can do.
Where the launch is taking me skyward, the daily news drags me down. Hatred is so alive and well, growing stronger by the minute. Especially evident is general hatred/suspicion against Jews. This is so clearly seen in many of the faces of the thousands who are backing the Palestinians. I, of course, also hope for a cease-fire in Gaza. I hope that Hamas agrees. I know that Hamas doesn’t represent the people, but they are the ones in control, with the tacit support of them all. When there is so much hatred and violence, there is little hope for peace.
In no way am I not recognizing Israel’s responsibilities in all of that tragedy, but I would encourage everyone to compare the personalized hatred shown to Jews in general, because of that war, to the lack of animosity toward people of Russian descent, when it has been well over a year since Russia invaded a peaceful Ukraine, and is still bombing civilians, every single day. Russians living around the world are not in peril because of what the government in their homeland is doing. This is not the same with the Jews. Hate crimes against them has risen ten-fold, from an already (but usual) unacceptable level.
My new book, The Unspoken Cause of Auschwitz brings the cause of this into focus, and it won’t be pretty. Because the curse of anti-Semitism is clearly within the Gospels of the New Testament. Whether or not we are church-goers, this will be offensive. The truth may ‘set us free’, but we will be wounded in the process, having to see things in a different light. And none of us want to change; that is a universal human condition.
I’d rather be on a boat in the Bahamas, believe me. Maybe after this is done, I’ll be able to relax and just watch TV and garden. Maybe next year. If you would, stick with me for a while and send me a word of encouragement. I can surely use it.
Anthony–
