Reply to Diversity, equity, inclusion but not for Jews?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Not Jewish but the sentiment I always got is that Jewish people 'blend' into the greater white demographic. Unless its a synagogue attacked you don't hear about people being discriminated against in hiring practices or home buying or on the streets because they're Jewish. No one [i]knows[/i] you're Jewish.[/quote]

[b]We blend in because we’ve gotten good at hiding our Jewish identity. That’s out of necessity.[/b]

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OMG! It’s comments like this that makes you sound ridiculous. You know who can’t hide their identity? Black and Asian people.

Obviously, antisemitism is a problem in this country. The synagogue attacks prove that, but there have also been increasing number of lower level hate crimes against individuals and houses of worship. I think you’re right that Jews do get sidelined in the discussion about racism precisely [b]because they can easily blend in to predominantly white spaces AND white power structures. [/b]Where you sound completely tone deaf is not understanding the massive advantage that gives you. As a light skinned black woman who can often blend into white spaces, I can tell you that is a VERY privileged position compared to darker skinned black women. And yes, it does mean hiding aspects of my identity which has its own issues — but let’s not forget that it comes with enormous advantages. In the context of Asians speaking out about being murdered because of how they look, it’s incredibly tone deaf to talk about the burdens of easy assimilation.

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Hey, PP.  I hear you.  I totally hear you. But what about observant Jews who, by definition, dress in a manner that easily identifies them as Jews to any passerby?  Are you saying they should choose to discard their religious garments to "blend in?" Is that a solution? I discourage my husband from wearing a kippah (head covering) because I worry he will be targeted. Check out what happens in religious Jewish neighborhoods in NYC and the violence against observant Jews. So please, don't be tone deaf about observant Jews. And by the way - many of us who are conservative or reform Jews "easily" (according to you) assimilate by discarding our traditions and choosing very "white" names for our kids. I recognize that as a white woman I do not face the same issues as you do, as a Black woman, but I also have experienced anti-semitism first hand.  [/quote]

Exactly. It shows that many PPs are completely ignorant as to the Jewish faith. Yarmukle, sudra, shtreimel, tallit, sheitels ... most people are completely ignorant that these items of religious dress even exist. Tell me that a Hasidic wearing these items would "blend into white spaces" without a second glance.  [/quote]

No, but you may be overestimating the number of people who will see these items of religious dress and realize that they indicate that someone is Jewish. [/quote]

DP.  I think the vast majority of people would know that someone wearing a yarmulke, never mind full on Hasidic garb, was Jewish.[/quote]

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