Polarizing the issue doesn't help the cause swisstrader. I understand completely your p.o.v. and John's. I think if you can disassociate yourself from your passions you can see better, so I try to do that, though I admit is not easily accomplished.
The fear that we jews have of being victimized is real and understandable given our history, but one must not assume that every disinterested party is aligned against us. Given the actrocities commited in the past against jews (and don't think we are that special here, there are many other cultures that hate filled people have tried to wipe off the planet) I also see how you could say the need for constant vigil against anti semetism is warrented....
However, we take our emotions into effect when receive input from the outside... While I agree that John's post went overboard on the stereotype, I can plainly see the truth in his statement that books, literature, and the media have certainly done their part to create it.
However... as much as I find the stereotype distasteful, I rebel against the feeling until I feel it is being applied personally as a belief. The fear of being victimized should not lead one down the path to self victimization... In the same vein, I do not think that Jesse Jackson was doing blacks a service by standing up there in Palm Beach preaching about disenfranchised voters after the election, it makes them into victims... I think that does more harm than good.
I do not like generalizations but I must admit that I am sometimes guilty of them as well, as we all are. My deep rooted fear of having a born again Christian in the White House beholded to the right wing stems from my lack of experience with such people (just as he has not likely had much contact with jews). I fight to overcome my fears with knowledge and understanding. While I take some issue with John's disinterest in learning about the Jewish people and (imo) his overgeneralizations of the entire Democratic party as bleeding heart liberals. I would not jump to label him a Jew Hater until he proves himself to be.
As far as any other posters are concerned, I will consider them each on their own. |
