Who was Rhoda Kadalie? Anti-apartheid activist, feminist within the anti-apartheid movement, human rights commissioner, social development leader, opinion columnist
What made her unique? Rhoda was one of the few people within the anti-apartheid movement and the ANC who was willing to speak out against the ruling party’s abuses.
What changed her? Rhoda was changed by the experience of being targeted by the ANC abroad, by her experiences within government, and by Thabo Mbeki’s centralized style.
What was the nature of the change? Rhoda went from being a revolutionary who wanted to undo the entire order, to being a conservative who wanted to defend what was fundamental.
What are some specific examples? Rhoda supported, then opposed, affirmative action; she backed abortion, but not late-term abortion; she was a socialist, then a liberal (without labels)
What made her controversial? Rhoda called out her friends; she stood up for the opposition when it was called racist; she defended Israel; she predicted Donald Trump would win in 2016.
What didn’t people understand? That through all of her changes, she remained committed to freedom — and that she had an underlying sense of Christian faith in a moral universe.
What was her impact? She inspired many women to take charge of their lives, she inspired others to speak out, and she also is remembered in a scholarship at Hillsdale College.
What is her core principle? Rhoda believed in democratic pluralism — that citizens must have choice to hold leaders accountable, and they must seek both vigorous debate and tolerance.
How can we emulate her example? Rhoda did not just criticize; she also did. So do something. And cultivate friends who may have a different political outlook, as Rhoda did.
Buy the biography: https://rhodakadalie.com
I should have noted in my message about the weekly Torah portion that this week is Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath of Vision. We are about to mourn -- but see through that pain to something better that lies beyond, on the other side.
Wishing you the best vision -- and an incredible reality to follow. It happens!
We begin the final speech of Moses to the people of Israel before they enter the Promised Land. He relates the ups and downs of the years of wandering in the desert, before, finally, the people have the merit to enter the land itself.
This Sabbath always precedes Tisha B'Av, the Ninth of Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. It is the anniversary of the destruction of both of the Holy Temples, and a catch-all for many calamities that befell the Jewish people.
A word on Tisha B'Av. This year I am leaving for an overseas trip during the afternoon of the holiday -- in the middle of a fast day. Not idea, but there was no other choice. But my flight is in the afternoon, which is significant.
We relax some of the harsh, mournful customs of the day in the afternoon. We start to pray normally; we sit on regular chairs; we start to have hope again in the redemption that will, one day, lead us all back from exile to our home.
I'll be taking a trip to a land where an important part of ...
President Trump is in Scotland, playing golf and making big trade deals -- a major deal with the EU, in fact. Meanwhile, there is a global outcry about humanitarian aid to Palestinians (not about the Israeli hostages, mind you).
On top of that, Democrats are at their lowest polling numbers ever -- so they are trying to win control of the House by redistricting in the middle of a 10-year Census cycle. Oh, economic optimism is up, so they have a tough road.
And Tulsi Gabbard's revelations about the Russia collusion investigation make it clear that Obama's lieutenants lied to Congress. How deeply was he himself involved? The media continue to ignore the evidence, but we certainly won't.
Special guests:
Nick Gilbertson - Breitbart News White House correspondent, on EU deal
Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on Trump abroad and Russia
John Spencer - urban warfare expert, on humanitarian aid and war in Gaza
Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on the ...
