This isn’t Belarus and this isn’t 1889.  In order for Leftist Diaspora nationalism to take off in the United States in our present century it is going to take a revamping of ideology to fit the current situation we find ourselves in. 

The four main tenets of Diaspora nationalism as envisioned by Dr. Zhitlovsky are:

1. A belief that socialist internationalism and Jewish nationalism complemented one another.

2. Yiddish speaking Jews constitute a nation bounded by a common culture. 

3. Jewish intellectuals ought to spearhead the building of “Yidishe Kultur”. 

4. Yiddish speaking Jews require collective self governance in the Diaspora as well as territory somewhere for a Jewish homeland  

Obviously these tenets need to be revised for our current age.  I thus propose the following tenets of Insomnia Union:

1. The Sh.F. is a leftist party.  It stands against the current state of socio-economics which promotes unjustifiable inequality.  We stand in solidarity with all oppressed peoples; however we reject the simplistic view of humanity held by many on the left which would have our humanity reduced to simple economic terms.

2. Language is what makes us human.  To possess one’s own language is a great gift, one which should be cherished.  The Jewish people have a long linguistic tradition dating back to the ancient Hebrew of thousands of years past.  Yiddish is the last such language that developed naturally in the Diaspora, specifically among the Jews of Eastern Europe.  Therefore it is the language of the Yiddish nation of the Jewish people.  Its proliferation among our youth will bring with it nothing but good.  It thus follows that all Jews who choose to join our movement “ought to spearhead the building of Yiddish Culture.

3. Alternatives to the ever-shrinking pool of culturally deteriorating mass media outlets are necessary in the struggle for a better human existence.  The strengthening of Jewish culture, preferably in the Jewish language, is a powerful and necessary part of that fight.

4. The Jewish people, Yiddish speaking or otherwise, do not require collective self-governance in the Diaspora.  A brotherhood of nations living in equality is not compatible with the politics of isolationism and national egotism.  The Jewish people, do require cultural communal organizations to insure a lasting union of creative and productive forces for the sake of both our humanity and the fight against those forces which dehumanize us and our fellow man.

Explanation of 1:

Being human means a lot more than simply being defined by one’s economic position.  That being said, we recognize that the current state of socio-economics grants unnecessary privileges to the wealthier sections of society, while keeping the less privileged in their place.  We feel that a love of humanity is the basis of revolutionary change.  If it wasn’t for this love, we wouldn’t care that “In 2005, unemployment among African American workers remained stagnant at 10.8 percent while white unemployment decreased to 4.7 percent, making African Americans’ unemployment rate 2.3 times more than whites.”  Or that “In the United States at the end of 2001, 10% of the population owned 71% of the wealth, and the top 1% controlled 38%. On the other hand, the bottom 40% owned less than 1% of the nation’s wealth”.  Love for humanity thus forms an important foundation for our program..  While it might be easier organize people if their humanity is simplified, the Sh.F. finds this unacceptable.  We recognize that people need to find an identity and love themselves.  This self-love might take the form of cultural pride.  A non-chauvinist, national individuality can be an important part of people’s existence.  If one doesn’t love oneself, how can that person have love for his/her fellow man?  The Sh.F. stands for self-love insomuch as in contributes positively to a international awakening on issues of growing inequality.  The Sh.F. is vehemently against aggressive nationalism, national egotism, and forced assimilation/cleansing.  Such forms of nationalism are sophomoric, backwards, and repulsive.  Nationalism can be described as egotistic or aggressive the second it impedes with the ability of that particular nation to join hands with its fellow man for the benefit of all of humanity.  The Sh.F. similarly stands for all those processes, economic or otherwise which are chauvinistic and destroy creativity and freedom.  We seek a more equal economic order free from the horrors of poverty as well as those of excess.  We also seek a more democratic order which takes into consideration the wants and needs of the individual, not the corporation/upper strata of society.    

Explanation of 2:The Sh. F. finds that language is a critical part it’s program of self-love and national individuality.  Communication is a fundamental part of the humanity of any individual.  The Yiddish nation is fortunate to possess a language of its own, Yiddish.  We thus stand for the integration of Yiddish into daily life.  Comprehensive and voluntary education and promotion of the Yiddish language is a vital part of this program.  It is further recognized that if self love takes the form of national love, that speaking in one’s language provides the opportunity for one to speak on important issues not necessarily connected to one’s nation, while  remaining bound to that nation through its language.  For example, if I speak in English my self-love might compel me to remain centered on issues of Jewishness in order to express my love.  On the other hand, if I was conversing in Yiddish, I would already be speaking Jewish, without necessarily having to talk about issues related to Jewishness.  In this sense, one’s language becomes a liberating force from the powerful forces of self-love which could otherwise lead to isolationism.   

Explanation of 3:We are dissatisfied with the Platonic shadow culture that is promoted by the big media monopoly in the United States.  The promotion of Yiddish culture is a way in which we can rebel against the exploitation of women, the commodification of everything, and overall low standards of American popular culture.  However, as our movement grows, we will have to be vigilant against the commercialization of our language and culture, which could quickly transform into an agent of assimilation.  

Explanation of 4:The Yiddish nation is a living testament to the potential of nations to live without centralized governance.  Our movement does NOT call for land.  Our nationalism is strictly spiritual/cultural and non-chauvinistic.  As recent developments in the Balkans and Kenya attest, land based/traditional nationalist movements often result in violence /militarism and alienation from other groups.  That said, for our culture to thrive in a way which is for the benefit of humanity, communal institutions will be crucial.  This includes, but is not limited to, community center, supplementary schools, sports organizations, Yiddishlands, as well as clubs.  

 

Exploring the socio-cultural landscape of the 21st century it becomes highly apparent that our nation requires yet another path into the future.  While we make no claim in having THE “right” path, we simply hope to offer a path which can benefit not only our members but the world at large.  Contrary to former Jewish movements, this will not be a purely secular, or a purely spiritual union.  Encompassing all aspects of our culture, as well as working for social justice in the socio-political realm, the Sh. F. will be able to unite our nation in new and exciting ways.