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James McDermott's avatar

Bravo to those Jews! It is a shame that the Jews in our country are facing such unreasoned hate. For far too long Jews around the world were targets of hate and scapegoats for national failures, but, as a nation of immigrants, Jews have found a refuge and peace in the U.S., until now. Why? I can only think that the success of Jews in mastering the business culture through education and hard work has made other, less successful groups envious and suspicious of Jews. That and the stubborn resistance of Israel to the constant threats to its existence has favored a distorted worldview of Jews among certain groups, including radical nationalists and malleable college students who think Jews are obstacles to world peace. While I hate to see the spread of more guns in the U.S., Jews have an absolute right to defend their communities, and they are far less likely to use guns to commit crimes. These brave Jewish women are serious about training and accuracy in gun handling, something that many Americans ignore. So, again, Bravo!

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Nana Ell's avatar

As well as the successful Asian Americans. Jealousy turns to hate.

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James McDermott's avatar

Sadly, what the haters don't understand is the time and effort it takes to be successful, especially when you arrive in the US with nothing but determination.

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Lynne Morris's avatar

Which is the problem with constantly preaching to folks that they are marginalized/oppressed/discriminated against. That breeds resentment. Resentment breeds hate.I think American exceptionalism is a good thing and the foundation of it is that "[Y]ou can be anything!" Not everybody will succeed but everybody is capable of it.

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Sghoul's avatar

Right! The elites in charge are actually trying to take away the barriers that require hard work. Somehow they think that hard work is a thing to avoid instead of a thing that makes you stronger and more capable.

I just read about a group that wants to remove mcat scores and grades for access to medschool. Because it will definitely be better for us all if our doctors aren't good enough to pass tests and do well under pressure.

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James McDermott's avatar

Are you saying that the Jews have brought the hate on themselves by "constantly preaching" about being oppressed and discriminated against? I don't know where you live, but I'm hard pressed to think of a people less likely to complain or preach about being oppressed. You, on the other hand, are showing a thinly veiled streak of antisemitism with your remarks.

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Lynne Morris's avatar

No I am not saying that at all. I do not think of Jews as being hate-filled. I am referencing those who engage in hate offenses. Which is pretty obvious from.the comment.

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Sghoul's avatar

I think she is more talking about the victim class that has become the focus these days. It is part of the reason we keep digging deeper and deeper for some aggrieved class of people to belong to so we can be special.

From my limited perspective, I wouldn't put the average Jew in that class. They may mention that they have bad things happen. But their response tends to be overcoming those bad things rather than wallowing in it, as this article shows.

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James McDermott's avatar

There is a big difference between reporting the facts of antisemitic attacks and complaining about antisemitism. For most of history, Jews of the diaspora have tried to keep a low profile in the countries to which they migrated for the very reason that they were generally not welcome. The Jews who migrated to America were largely the victims of European and Midde Eastern pogroms and Nazi extermination camps, so they had plenty to complain about if they so chose, but they didn't. They worked hard, learned the language, and sent their kids to school. And they were discriminated against by the WASP society. The Jews in America have been instrumental in the equal rights movement for all races, and have worked quietly for social justice. As a group, Jews are a positive benefit to the U.S.

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Sghoul's avatar

Very much agreed. Jews, to me, are a great example of immigration. They came here to do better than where they had been, and they did. They held on to their own culture while also becoming part of the dominant culture. As a community they embraced American values, even going so far as to support the free speech of the very kinds of people who would vilify them.

And that likely just adds to the envy. Bullies hate victims that won't act like victims. People who stand back up and dust themselves off and get back to living. How can you feel powerful and superior when the people you keep trying to hold down won't stay down.

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James McDermott's avatar

Well said.

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