Albright's heritage poses challenges
Commentary
MARTY LATZ
Special to Jewish News
I met her in 1987 after she briefed Gov. Michael Dukakis, one of the then seven dwarfs vying for the Democratic presidential nomination, on foreign policy and arms control issues.
She was Gov. Dukakis' foreign policy advisor. She was also a Czechoslovakian whose parents fled their native country to escape Nazi persecution.
For some reason, I thought she was Jewish. Perhaps it was because of her family history. Perhaps it was because she bonded with my Jewish boss on the Dukakis campaign. Or perhaps it was just some deep sixth sense that fellow Jews sometimes feel.
In the end, ironically, it turns out she has Jewish roots. In fact, she lost three grandparents in the Holocaust, a fact unknown to her until recently.
I am, of course, referring to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Secretary Albright said her Jewish heritage came as a "major surprise" to her, as her parents raised her Catholic and never hinted otherwise.
It's an extraordinary personal story. It's also one with potentially critical ramifications for every American, especially every American Jew. In what ways?
Professionally, I suspect Secretary Albright's world views will not change.
Her beliefs are grounded in 59 years of life experiences. Interestingly, though, her beliefs stem from life experiences inextricably linked with her Jewish heritage.
Consider Secretary Albright's experience with the Holocaust and how it affected her beliefs regarding when and where military force should be used.
Secretary Albright fled the Nazis and lived as a refugee in England during World War II. She returned to Czechoslovakia after the war but, several years later, she fled again, this time to the U.S. after a communist coup.
Her continual flight from oppression and persecution as a young person probably formed her most defining and formative experience as it relates to her philosophy regarding use of force.
Jews especially can empathize and appreciate Secretary Albright's personal plight and how it affects her world views. Many would argue our refugee status did not really end until the birth of the Jewish state in 1948. And many of our views on the use of force stem from our historical oppression as a people, especially in the Holocaust.
This confluence of attitudes most starkly manifested itself when the U.S. debated the use-of-force option for Bosnia. Secretary Albright strongly supported the use of U.S. forces there to stop the genocide and start the peace process.
Many Jews also strongly supported this policy - including Holocaust survivor and noted author Elie Wiesel. Many Jews saw this issue in black and white, right and wrong, terms. Racial genocide was being practiced. Thousands of innocents were being annihilated due solely to their ethnicity. So go in and stop it if at all possible.
Secretary Albright's views on use of force will not change. But her views of other foreign powers may change, especially in the Middle East. After all, she's already being treated quite differently by the Middle East press due to her Jewish heritage.
Anti-Semites will rear their ugly heads. Secretary Albright will have to deal with them. We may have to deal with them, too.
Secretary Albright will face tremendous personal and professional challenges as our new top diplomat. It will be more challenging due to her Jewish heritage.
I enjoyed working with Secretary Albright in 1987 and 1988. I know she enjoys challenges. I expect she'll be up for this one. I certainly hope so.
Marty Latz is a Valley attorney and writer.
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