Anti-Semitism in the United States
Jews are one of the most marginalized groups in the US. So why do we
never hear about Jewish issues?
The US Department of State defines anti-semitism as "A certain
perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.
Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed
toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward
Jewish community institutions and religious facilities."
Anti-semitism has existed as long as Jews have, ranging from forced
eviction and ghettos to offhand comments and conspiracies, and almost
every Jewish person has experienced anti-semitism in their life at least
once.
According to the ADL Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, there was a 12%
increase in anti-semitic incidents in the past year alone, with a 56%
increase in physical assault. Those assaults led to 95 victims and 5
deaths. 597 anti-semitic incidents occured in schools alone, with 411 in
K-12 non-Jewish schools. This is a disproportionally large amount of
crimes against a community that makes up less than 3% of the US total
population.
These numbers are the highest on record since the ADL began collecting
data in 1979. Click
here to
learn more.
Image from Pixabay
Everyone has their own prejudices, even if they are subconscious. We all
must look within ourselves and realize where we need to be better.
Anti-semitism is not just drawing swastikas on buildings. It can be
small actions, words with no malicious intent that still can have a
major effect. Think about little comments you may have made, or how you
act in certain neighborhoods. Do you think of Jewish people as a model
minority? Who do you see when you imagine a Jewish person? Is the only
Holocaust the only Jewish event you know of? Examine your thought
process and work to change for the better.
But thinking can only do so much. Take action and learn more about what
you can do
here.
Image by Laura Siegal from Pixabay.