My grandparents were Russian Jews who fled persecution. They came to America looking to build a better life. They faced all kinds of prejudice after coming to America. But they were intent on building a better life rather than making excuses and fighting back.
My grandparents bought up half of Main Street during the Depression for ten cents on the dollar. Property owners came to them begging for them to buy. But the town perception was the Jews were taking advantage of people. My grandparents had the money because they rolled the dice on starting their own business and saving almost everything they made.
The kids (my mother and siblings) were the first generation to go to college. I still remember the talk my grandmother gave me. Get a good education. Get a good job. Start your own business. Save your money. Education and money mean power. You want to be able to control your life rather than being controlled.
Growing up from 8th grade through high school i lived in the suburb of a major city. The area we lived in was called Jewville by non Jews. My father drive a Jew Canoe (Cadillac). I was picked on for living in Jewville. Some of it was by teammates. I was punished by coaches for missing practices to attend holiday services. My family was refused admittance to a summer resort in the early 60’s. The owner pointed out a sign on the counter stating, “We cater to a Christian clientele only.”
I never felt the need to burn anything down. I did get in a few fights when I was cornered. A couple were with teammates who tried to injure me in practice. I was told by my grandmother don’t stoop to their level. Be better than they are morally and with your efforts.
The Jewish stance on abortion is its a living fetus until it finishes grad school. In my generation we all have grad degrees. My kids have them even though they were raised Christian. Other kids in the family in their generation have grad degrees or are in grad school. We’re all descendants of grandparents where my grandmother told my grandfather if you can cut leather you can cut meat. Let’s buy that store.
I’m not special. There are millions of stories just like my family’s story. There are probably some on this board. But it was done on being taught to get ahead rather than get even.
I understand your point, I was raised in Co-op City, the bronx, as you might know most people of Jewish faith moved from Grand Concourse to Co-op City.
First white flight occurred in early 80s, where friends moved to upstate NY, e.g.New City, Sayerville in NJ, many moved to Florida.
Fortunately, this area was and still very middle class.
Remember, as Russian Jew your family fled persecution, that was a choice and you retained your name, religion and cultural identify. What you were taught in schools was from the European American perspective, or you had additional religious instruction at your synagogue. I attended a couple of Bar Mitzah.
Publishers made it a point not to publish African American books, schools didn't teach African American history, thus continuing the disenfranchisement.
Library had a limited selection of African American books.
Don't take offense, but people make decisions based on the primary sense of vision and other learned behaviors.
Housing is discriminatory, always has been and always will be present, e.g. certain parts of Upstate NY and Long Island (Levitown).
Education, there is a new creative way of school segregation, e.g. private schools. Catholic schools were segregated mostly because of where they were located. They opened the doors mainly do to financial issues.
The burning is not condone, but regardless of race, people living in impoverish areas will burn down what the down perceive they benefit from.
Note, this is not isolated in the United States, but at least the history is documented.
If you go to any countries and Islands in the Americas or Carribean, with the exception of Cuba, you will see the same structural behaviors.
Note, most of the slave trade actually went to Brazil.
Again, the world has not changed, man's behaviors are consistent. What has changed is technology and the speed that we get information.
Our challenge will be can we consume this information so that we can make better decisions.
Good Stuff.
