Should You Hang Around People Who Blame the Jews?

Nobody likes the JEWS. That is not exactly true but it is not entirely false either. People have an idea of what Jews are like and even though they may know several individuals who are Jewish, and with whom they have varying degrees of warm relations, they nonetheless have ideas about what"Jews" are like.

People's ideas about Jews stem from comments that they heard at home in their early years, occasionally from religious teachings, and perhaps careless remarks from friends, teachers, and other acquaintances. While in our own times public figures are careful not to make disparaging remarks about anyone in public, what they say in private is another matter. They may not mean any harm, they may only be"joking" and they may only say something in the heat of the moment, but the thoughts are there. There are stereotypical thoughts about"the other" that most people I know seem to have.

There is no question that Jews are different. To begin with, they are not Christians. And no matter how much individual Jews have acculturated into American society, there is a sense that they are a people apart. And in many cases perception of reality is reality. Jews have the highest income per capita in the United States, they are the best educated group in the nation, and they concentrate in occupations where brains, rather than brawn, are paramount. No other group of people in the United States are as concerned about the welfare of Israel as are American Jews. No other group in the United States gives as much money per capita to charity or absolutely in dollar amounts to the Democratic Party as do Jews.

Politicians know this. They do not like or dislike Jews; but in their profession they have to identify groups and calculate votes. Advertisers know this. Most advertising is calculated to attract target groups of people. Any person in advertising who says that all people are alike and there are no differences between and among people does not remain in that occupation long. One sells diapers to venues frequented by young marrieds, denture cleaners to those who are well on in years. The Super Bowl sponsors include automobile makers, computer manufacturers, and purveyors of shaving products. They are unlikely to waste their money sponsoring Oprah.

So to say that people can be differentiated is not necessarily bigoted or discriminatory although of course, for advertisers, and others, differentiation does mean discrimination. I recently visited an assisted living complex with a friend who was looking for a place that her elderly aunt might like. It looked nice to me but after we left I said to her:"I would never go to a place like this. When I'm old enough for assisted living I would want to be amongst Jews. I am more comfortable with Jews."

Does that make me a bigot or is it an honest feeling based on my upbringing and background? Does it mean that I do not like other people? No. But it does mean that I am aware of what makes me comfortable. Do I have ideas about the"goyim"? Of course I do. I was brought up in a bigoted household where every time the words"goy" or"goyim" were mentioned I always knew that something negative would follow. Have I shed all of these ideas? Of course not.

But: do I act in any way that is prejudicial? Do I want to bar people from public accommodations, do I want people segregated, do I want people murdered, do I oppose inter-faith or interracial marriage because I learned things about them or these activities (which may or may not be true) in my earlier years that I find impossible to shed? No.

I am a firm believer in the cliché: live and let live." I also believe that people are different. Yes, Jews are different because they are Jews. And other groups, no matter whether they are defined by religion, ethnicity, occupation (think of what people say about used car salesmen), hobby, or association are also different. I do not automatically exclude them from the human race or blame them for all the troubles that beset the world but I do not necessarily associate with, or avoid, them because of their affiliations.

I do dislike ("abhor" would be a better word) people who beat their wives and children, impose their will on others whether others want to be imposed upon or not, or think that some characteristic or possession of theirs makes them superior individuals. I move away from these people whenever I can. So, too, do people I know. Associating with people whose ideas repel me (except for my students who I am paid to educate) is not one of my chosen activities.

Yes, people are prejudiced. And most people, myself included, have a variety of thoughts and engage in a variety of behaviors which indicate that we want to separate ourselves from others whose habits or thoughts are either not like ours or not to our liking. I think this should be recognized.

Our country spends billions of dollars fostering tolerance and acceptance of"multiculturalism." I support the outlays of this huge amount of cash for these purposes. On the other hand, I cannot and do not, accept every other value that different cultures display.

Yes, Jews are different. But so is every other identifiable group. Difference, however, does not necessarily have to have a negative tone or a negative consequence. I do not think that all Jews are like me. Nor do I think that members of any group share all of the views and values of whatever association they may voluntarily or involuntarily possess. (I do not always share American foreign policies and do not like to be called"You Americans" when I am out of the country.)

Our nation's great virtue is that our rhetoric promotes tolerance and acceptance of people of varying views and values. We should not try to make everyone from the same cookie-cutter nor expect everyone to share other values. On the other hand, we must be sufficiently self-aware to know that differences need not be differentiated as good or bad and that people have the right to their own thoughts and habits without having to fear victimization because they adhere to different values.