Antisemitism: Alive and well?

[sunstruck]

As many of you know I'm half Jewish (my mom's side so technically that makes me a Jew dispite the fact that I don't even believe in religion). Physically I take after my dad's side so I don't have any stereotypical Jewish features. You wouldn't look at me and think "She's probably Jewish". My dad being a goy I never had a Jewish last name. I would think these things are largely the reason I have personally expirienced little if any antisemitism directed at me.

I do see it though from time to time. Nothing drastic. Just your average, everyday ignorance most any ethnic group is subject to. It saddens and disgusts me, but I've always thought of it as the last trickles of antisemitsm in America dying out.

The other day I heard something that totally blew my mind. A conversation two men were having on the subway about the Jewish conspiracy to control the media. I was stunned, and sickened, but also amused at the rediculous theory they were proposing. As if every Jew went to meetings or something. It was absurd. But the more I thought about it the more I wondered if this was still a common thought among the masses.

So, I figured I'd use Lit to get an idea. I'm sure there will be much discussion and lots of arguing, but what I'm really interested in is the poll. It's annonymous so no one has to worry about getting slammed for their opinion.

 

[Angel]

The Jews have taken over my diet and have caused a severe addiction to Matzo Ball soup.

Jerks.

 

[sunstruck]

Oh, and I'd love it if anyone who voted yes would tell me why they believe it (this is a time I miss the unregistered option). If you don't want to be known get another name or something.

I really want to know how people come to believe this.

 

[Angel]

I really want to know how people come to believe this.

They've lost their grip on reality. That's the only valid reason I can think of.

 

[Cheyenne]

Do you realize the title of your thread and the actual question in the poll don't match? You could easily answer "yes" to the question in the title and "no" to the wording in the poll.

 

[Lancecastor]

Anti-Semitism and discussing radical Zionism are mutually exclusive concepts.

Anti-Islam and discussing radical Islamic fundamentalism are mutually exclusive concepts.

Anti-Catholicism and discussing bumfucking Priests are mutually exclusive concepts.

I share Cheyenne's view....you are an idiot, regardless of your heritage, faith or lack thereof.

 

[sunstruck]

Do you realize the title of your thread and the actual question in the poll don't match? You could easily answer "yes" to the question in the title and "no" to the wording in the poll.

LOL I didn't think about that. I wasn't thinking of the title as a question to be answered, but more as a story title.

Angel, I'm sorry about your soup addiction, but think of it this way, you'll never have a cold! lol

 

[Angel]

.

Angel, I'm sorry about your soup addiction, but think of it this way, you'll never have a cold! lol

Matzoballs are packed with Carbs, aren't they? Oh well.

 

[sunstruck]

Matzoballs are packed with Carbs, aren't they? Oh well.

Yep. They pretty much reak havoc on your intestines too. lol A common mistake for first time Passover guests is eating too much. Nothing moves down there for days. LOL

 

[Nora]

People say shit like that to me all the time when they find out I'm Jewish, Sunny. (btw, I missed youuuuu!!!) That kinda half-joking, "So, does your dad run the banking industry?" kinda jokes. har. har. har.

My response has always been and will always be a flat, blank look.

 

[sunstruck]

People say shit like that to me all the time when they find out I'm Jewish, Sunny. (btw, I missed youuuuu!!!) That kinda half-joking, "So, does your dad run the banking industry?" kinda jokes. har. har. har.

My response has always been and will always be a flat, blank look.

(Missed you too sweetness!)

My favorite is "So who do you know in Hollywood?" lol

 

[Angel]

(Missed you too sweetness!)

My favorite is "So who do you know in Hollywood?" lol

Yeah but you actually do, kinda so...

 

[Nora]

(Missed you too sweetness!)

My favorite is "So who do you know in Hollywood?" lol

Egads. I haven't had that one, that I can recall. I'm thinking the stoney glare would work there, as well.

People are stooooopid!

 

[sunstruck]

Yeah but you actually do, kinda so...

Actually I now know three people on TV, lol and none of them are Jewish.

To the topic, I'm used to bigotry. People hate what they don't understand. What boggles my mind is the conspiracy theory. How did people come to such a rediculous and impossible conclusion??

 

[Xander]

Yeah its alive and well. Unfortunately.

 

[Lasher]

It's funny how people believe shit like this.

I worked with a guy a few years ago - great guy, mostly pretty smart - but he was one of those nuts that thought Clinton was building concentration camps and was going to take control of the government during what he believed was gonna be a huge Y2K disaster. Him and his buddies used to wander thru the woods of north central PA looking for black helicopters and shit like that.

Never understood how otherwise intelligent people could think like that.

I guess maybe some people just can't feel good about their otherwise empty lives unless they've got someone else to blame the emptiness on. Takes the pressure off themselves if there's some mysterious group beyond their control that's responsble for all their troubles.

 

[Lancecastor]

I guess maybe some people just can't feel good about their otherwise empty lives unless they've got someone else to blame the emptiness on. Takes the pressure off themselves if there's some mysterious group beyond their control that's responsble for all their troubles.

 

[Xander]

It's funny how people believe shit like this.

I worked with a guy a few years ago - great guy, mostly pretty smart - but he was one of those nuts that thought Clinton was building concentration camps and was going to take control of the government during what he believed was gonna be a huge Y2K disaster. Him and his buddies used to wander thru the woods of north central PA looking for black helicopters and shit like that.

Never understood how otherwise intelligent people could think like that.

I guess maybe some people just can't feel good about their otherwise empty lives unless they've got someone else to blame the emptiness on. Takes the pressure off themselves if there's some mysterious group beyond their control that's responsble for all their troubles.

yeah I think thats a big part of it. Transfering the blame to someone else.

 

[aly*]

Actually I now know three people on TV, lol and none of them are Jewish.

To the topic, I'm used to bigotry. People hate what they don't understand. What boggles my mind is the conspiracy theory. How did people come to such a rediculous and impossible conclusion??

There is a long and layered history of questioning zionism... by rabbis even. As far as I know it is tied into the history or misinformation involved in many conspiracies. There are similar catholic conspriracy theories as well. I guess i am learning that this is not common knowledge. Not the conspiracies but the exisitence of them. Yes, I grew up in a weird family. Some extremely religious(Judiasm) too.

 

[sunstruck]

yeah I think thats a big part of it. Transfering the blame to someone else.

I would think so. Jewish people have been the scape goat for thousands of years. Makes me wonder exactly what we were "chosen" for.

 

[sunstruck]

There is a long and layered history of questioning zionism... by rabbis even.

A good rabbi questions everything. The most important ideal in Judiasm is education.

 

[Nora]

I would think so. Jewish people have been the scape goat for thousands of years. Makes me wonder exactly what we were "chosen" for.

A 5th hand for canasta.

 

[sunstruck]

A 5th hand for canasta.

LOL This is why I adore you.

So three Yes votes and no one willing to say why. That kind of sucks.

 

[aly*]

A good rabbi questions everything. The most important ideal in Judiasm is education.

Umm, thanks for the lesson.

 

[sunstruck]

Umm, thanks for the lesson.

LOL It wasn't a lesson. I liked your post. It was well thought out. I was just responding to it.