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Henry Ford and the Jews: The Mass Production of Hate by Neil Baldwin Recommendation: •••
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Deeply Mortified That Hatred Is Job One You may have watched the new series of Ford Motor Company commercials that feature CEO William Ford. In one, he is reminiscing about his great grandfather, Henry Ford, taking trips through the country with his friend, Thomas Edison, and “whoever was President at the time.” The commercial shows the Ford heritage in off-road vehicles. I was reminded of Neil Baldwin’s portrayal of that person and the time in his fine book, Henry Ford and the Jews: The Mass Production of Hate. Through the use of many sources, Baldwin makes it clear that Ford led and financed a worldwide campaign against Jews. Through Ford’s private newspaper, The Dearborn Independent, he published a series of almost a hundred essays fostering hatred of Jews. Despite lots of Ford apologies, the bias and hatred deep within him form a clear impression on readers, and lead to an understanding of the real character of Henry Ford, which is not to be admired. Here’s an excerpt of the spin Henry Ford tried to place on his campaign against the Jews, in what amounted to something of an apology for his actions: “ ‘For some time past I have given consideration to the series of articles concerning Jews which since 1920 have appeared in The Dearborn Independent. Some of them have been reprinted in pamphlet form under the title “The International Jew.” Although both publications are my property it goes without saying that in the multitude of my activities it has been impossible for me to devote personal attention to their management or to keep informed as to their contents. It has therefore inevitably followed that the conduct and policy of these publications had to be delegated to men whom I placed in charge of them and upon whom I relied implicitly. To my great regret I have learned that Jews generally, and particularly those of this country, not only resent these publications as promoting anti-Semitism, but regard me as their enemy. Trusted friends with whom I have conferred recently have assured me in all sincerity that in their opinion the character of the charges and insinuations made against the Jews, both individually and collectively, contained in many of the articles which have been circulated periodically in The Dearborn Independent and have been reprinted in the pamphlets mentioned, justifies the righteous indignation entertained by Jews everywhere toward me because of the mental anguish occasioned by the unprovoked reflections made upon them. This has led me to direct my personal attention to this subject, in order to ascertain the exact nature of these articles. As a result of this survey I confess that I am deeply mortified that this journal, which is intended to be constructive and not destructive, has been made the medium for resurrecting exploded fictions, for giving currency to the so-called Protocols of the Wise Men of Zion, which have been demonstrated, as I learn, to be gross forgeries, and for contending that the Jews have been engaged in a conspiracy to control the capital and the industries of the world, besides laying at their door many offenses against decency, public order and good morals. Had I appreciated even the general nature, to say nothing of the details of these utterances, I would have forbidden their circulation without a moment’s hesitation, because I am fully aware of the virtues of the Jewish people as a whole, of what they and their ancestors have done for civilization and for mankind and toward the development of commerce and industry, of their sobriety and diligence, their benevolence and their unselfish interest in the public welfare.’” These comments are about as plausible as those made by a recently impeached United States President, who never picnicked with the late Mr. Ford. One almost expected to read, “And some of my best friends are Jews.” Appearing in Baldwin’s book after two hundred pages of facts of Ford’s personal involvement with The Dearborn Independent, the words of Henry Ford in apologetic tone fall on skeptical ears. Baldwin researched many sources to bring this book to publication, and the story he tells may not be one you want to hear, but is well worth reading. Steve Hopkins, April 17, 2002
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