With just days left until the elections, the Muslim and Arab American communities are at a historic crossroads. Though united in their anger over U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, voters are far from consensus on where to cast their ballots.

Cornel West on American militarism, the rights of Palestinians, and the importance of upholding the dignity of all people — within the U.S. empire and outside it.

“Why are they spending all of that money on little old me? Inquiring minds want to know,” Democratic candidate for Congress Nina Turner says of “millions” pouring into the Ohio primary from special interests. One obvious source of the money is the pro-Israel crowd, which has embraced Turner’s rival Shontel Brown, who says the special relationship between the U.S. and Israel will help the black community fight “hatred” and “persecution.”

Cornel West says that donors and Jewish administrators dictate the rules on discussion of Palestine at Harvard and that’s why he’s not getting tenure. “That doesn’t mean that somehow– Every Jew doesn’t agree with them! You got a whole wave of Jewish comrades and Jewish brothers and sisters who are very critical of Israeli occupation, but not in high places! Not in high places.”