I am an American. I am a Jew. Up till recently, I believed that the two were able to mesh beautifully. While there have been incidents of egregious anti Semitism over the years, some larger than others, increasing in present time, I did feel 'safe' here, to the extent that any Jew can feel safe, particularly if one is knowledgeable about Jewish history. History does repeat itself.
But today I am more frightened than ever. It is as if I saw before me a split screen, a split picture of history. On the one side was Nazi Germany or rather the Germany that was to turn into that. It presented the mobs, the gangs of Hitler supporters, roaming the streets, terrorizing Jewish people passing bye. It showed the indifference and /or fear of those watching. It showed the violence as the Socialists and Communists fought with the Nazis, though more on political grounds than the abhorrence of the hatred of Nazism. It also presented the blindness, willful or not, of the Jews in Germany and elsewhere as they persisted in believing that this would pass, that they were citizens of the nation, that their ancestors had lived there in many cases for hundreds of years. They were wrong.
And on the split screen showing today, the overwhelming horror and tragedy of Charlottesville dominated the screen. Friday night shouting, hands raised high in Nazi salutes, they marched through the grounds of the University of Virginia. On Saturday morning they came loaded for bear to their protest. Now mind you, they have every right under the Constitution to have their viewpoints and even speak them though again, hate speech and inciting violence is another story, but putting that aside, they were ready for more, anticipating more and what they were chanting is where I come in as a Jew.
This was not just about a statue and I do not know how I truly feel about this attempt to wipe out the history of the Civil War. I think it equates to wiping out the history of WWII and that was tried already in post war Germany. Doesn't work and only leads to more hatred. As it did here. An insistent and constant chant of anti Semitic remarks dominated the air, ringing thru the air, sending chills down any Jewish person there or listening. According to the words of one of their own, this was the "beginning of the war!!"
You know, on those annoying forms at the doctor's office where one is supposed to check ethnicity, I do not check white. I check nothing or even Hawaiian islander but not white. There is no Jewish there to check but there are many racists out there who will shout to the very last that Jews are not white. So screw them!!
Now we have the disappointment of an American citizen, born and bred, third generation here, two more added on, and from the first generation, all citizens, naturalized and native born. I believe that my government has the duty to protect me as much as anyone else of this country, black, white, Christian, Moslem or Jew. For the President of the United States to condemn the violence on "both sides" - nope, uh-uh, not the way it should go. For Richard Spencer to then say that the President was supporting them - well, he was correct. A refusal to take a stand, to say the words, is giving support. For hours later, an unattributed statement from the WH stating that of course Trump denounces these neo Nazis, etc. sorry, that means nothing. It is the equivalent of forcing the kids who fought to say "I'm sorry." Means nothing and does nothing.
So I will take heart in the denouncement of these events by other public persona, including many of Trump's own party. Would that people would have had the courage before all this to deny him his chance at destroying our country. Would that these very people would do something now to get him gone from office. Must we have more violence before people realize the danger inherent in allowing haters to fill offices, to be appointed advisers to the President and never mind his Jewish ties - they have been denied before in history and can be done so again.
So I am an American and I am a Jew. And as I ride down various roads in the nation I look at the trees, at the forests and wonder "Could we hide there?" Would we find enough supporters to help us? And I look at my many non Jewish friends whom I love and cherish dearly and wonder if they would hide me and mine. I wonder. Will the people of this nation have the backbone to stand up to hatred of all types and colors?
I wonder why this hatred persists, why people have such interest in poisoning their own lives and the lives of others with their virulent hatred of all who do not look or act or believe as they do. Are they so weak in their own identity? Are they so low in their own estimation that they must have people lower than they are if they are to function?
And mind you, all those who feel this is an exaggeration, remember the past, please do so, for how often has hatred led the way? Too often.
I am an American. I am a Jew. And the Jews of France can say their own version. I am French. I am a Jew. And so can the Jews of all the nations of the world where they reside. And yet this dichotomy bothers many who feel it must be rooted out, destroyed. Why?
I am an American. I am a Jew.
Comment from a long time friend - Nicely written and timely. The veneer of civilization is very thin and hatred towards the Jews is pernicious and pervasive. We must never lower our guard and always be alert to threats and aware of covert and overt threats. We are always on the front line.
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