America has endured Slavery, Communism, sex trafficking, KKK (Ku Klux Klan), White Supremacy, COVID-19, mass shootings at school, and now is faced with Antisemitism. These are horrific happenings not only in America, but all over the world.
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1. What is Antisemitism?
Antisemitism is prejudice against or hatred of Jews. Encyclopedia.ushmm.org further states that hatred and fear of Jews date back to ancient times.
2. Can You Imagine?
While searching for slavery history I was reminded that Blacks at one time were not considered human, but rather property of the slave owners. That is really a moral delima. I could not imagine being treated like that. Pbs.org., talks about this and further adds that in addition to the authority practiced on individual plantations, slaves throughout the South had to live under a set of laws call the Slave Codes; the codes varied slightly from state to state, but the basic idea was the same; the slaves were considered property, not people, and were treated as such. Then there was the horrific events of mass shootings of our babies which are our future. If I were a child that witnessed a mass shooting, I do not know if I ever would want to go back to public schools because of the safety issues.
Several passionate, angry and defiant Jewish students voiced their feelings of being scared and abandoned, in spite of their efforts to be heard by university officials. This is talked about at nytimes.com. They further added that Shabby Kestenbaum, a Harvard Divinity School student stated, “By inviting me, you’ve actually already done more than Harvard University has ever done for its Jews, which is listening to us." Where is the Love?
3. Violence
Where is the Love? If people were all alike what would the world be like? Everyone believes that their religion is the right religion. Why is it that if someone does not believe what you believe you will try and destroy them or harm them? Everyone does not think the same. Everyone did not come from the same loving family. Why is the fear so great regarding someone that is different than you? Is there a belief that violence will scare away people from their religion? Where is the Love?
4. Christian Anti-Semitism
According to britannica.com when the Christian church became dominant in the Roman Empire, its leaders inspired many laws by Roman Emperors designed to segregate Jews and curtail their freedom when they appeared to threaten Christian religious domination. Where is the Love?
5. Rocking of an Unstable World
In the United States there is a climate of growing fear according to cnn.com. They further added that Jewish day schools have cancelled classes. They further added that a feeling of fear pervades Cornell University and that Jewish students on campus right now are unbelievably terrified for their lives. Where is the Love?
6. Recent Survey
In a most recent survey it was found that Millennials now led the way, harboring the most antisemitic views, with belief in 5.37 different tropes on average, followed by members of Gen Z at 5.01. Time.com further adds that 3,201 antisemitic incidents in the United States occurred just in the three months following the October 7 attack. Well needless to say as of May 2024, antisemitic protesting is ongoing now on a daily basis. Where is the Love?
7. Tracking Antisemitic Incidents
Did you know that there were 56 incidents of physical assault, 554 incidents of vandalism, 1,347 incidents of verbal or written harassment, 1,307 rallies, including antisemitic rhetoric, expressions of support for terrorism against the state of Israel and /or anti-Zionism? This is as of January 2024 according to adl.org. Now as of May 2024 Antisematic protest and violent incidents are happening daily, I cannot imagine the increase in number. Again where is the love?
8. Anti-Semitism and safety fears Surging
Did you know that the number of American Jews who say they feel less secure in the United States has jumped 22 percent from last year’s survey? This is according to aljazeera.com. They further added that a 62-year-old woman was quoted as saying in the survey report, “I live in a rural area and my home is most likely the only Jewish home in a 30-mile radius.” “We don’t tell people and outside the home do not show that we are Jewish.” This is sad. No one should feel they need to hide their faith in order to feel safe. People do not all have the same faith. Wouldn’t it be nice if people could learn to disagree without causing harm to others? It is sad that when I turn to the news on the television it appears that the anti-Semitic protests and violence is growing at alarming rates. Where is the Love?
9. Antisemitism a Serious Problem
A Study done called “The State of Antisemitism in America” found that 93% of Jews and 74% of United States adults surveyed say antisemitism is a very serious problem” or “somewhat serious problem according to npr.org. They further added that nearly half(46%) of Jewish respondents say they have changed their behavior due to fear which include changes of avoiding publicly wearing, displaying things that might help people identify them as Jewish, and such items might include a Star of David. Where is the Love?
Star of David
10. Anti-Semitism and the Workplace
For Jewish adults who are employed full-time or part-time, and not self-employed, three in ten (30%) say they have avoided or experienced at least one of these issues of Antisemitism, 24% have avoided expressing their views on Israel because of fears of antisemitism, 14% have avoided wearing or displaying something that would identify them as Jewish, 13% have felt uncomfortable or unsafe because of their Jewish identity, and 6% reported being told they could not take time off work for the Jewish holidays, according to ajc.org. Why should a person live in fear at work, home, church or on campus? Where is the Love?
Source:
Conditions of antebellum slavery
Jewish Students Describe Facing Antisemitism on Campus to Members of Congress
The origins of Christian anti-Semitism
A new wave of antisemitism threatens to rock an already unstable world
The Growing Antisemitism Among Young Americans
Anti-Semitism and safety fears surge among US Jews, survey finds
Large majorities of Americans say antisemitism is a serious problem
The State of Antisemitism in America 2023
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What the World Needs Now is Love
This is all so, so sad, and just horrible. I agree--where is the love? We are all children of God, and focusing on our differences only divides us and leads to these dramatic shows of differences which leads to hate and unspeakable injustice. Thanks for sharing this post with us at the Will Blog for Comments #37 linkup. We hope to see you next time at #38 sharing more posts, old or new. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI agree Jennifer. Thanks for stopping by. Have an awesome Memorial Day Weekend.
ReplyDeleteBetty, thank you for speaking about this and writing such an informative article.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
Thanks Paula. It had been weighing on my heart heavily.
ReplyDelete