You could probably hear my groan when I came across Stanley Fish's op-ed piece in New York Times. Again? Again? Can I ask, what's up with op-ed writers writing about Jews? As a blogger, Stanley Fish is interested in the increased public interest on the hidden label of "Jew," with negative connotation, on powerful people being arrested lately who happen to be Jewish and by antisemites' outbursts and actions (cough, Mel Gibson, cough). Fish defends the primary reason why Jews have been targeted by everyone- Jews are disproportionally wealthy and in leadership positions. Jews are just a bunch of well-educated folks, seeped in tradition and history. And those are the reasons why people envy, no, hate Jews, and these "bad Jews" are just being pawns in antisemitic rhetoric. Those Jews just aren't helping Jews' public image, in which the community has worked so long to improve. (The Holocaust may have dramatically reduced antisemitism but we're not at 0% yet.)
Stanley Fish is only really pointing out the paradox in today's portrayal of Jews. Jews are do-gooders. Jews are also evil. That's pretty darn confusing, he reasons. He thinks Jews can be anything, good or bad. I interpret his question and response as something more like this:
What kind of reputation should a modern-day Jew have then? Better yet, how can Jews continue to combat antisemitism, even as an occasional Jewish leader embarrasses his worldwide family with acts of transgression?
First of all, can I just say that DSK, Madoff, Spitzer, and other leaders (who happened to be Jewish) acted no different from other human beings? They're men. They have egos. It's no secret that when handed with power, there is a high potential for them to abuse it (insert in an image of Jafar in Aladdin when he becomes an ominous genie). Look at Tiger Woods. Like at all those NBA players. Richard Nixon. Yeah, even Hitler and his buddies. Dictators in the Middle East, Southasia Asia, and Latin America. No secret.
So, why is there a need to nitpick 'em as Jews? Keep race and ethnicity out of the crimes that people commit. We're all human beings with impulses. We're all liable to err our ways once we harness power over other human beings. We're also fallible with our lips, how we have a natural tendency to single out other ethnic groups simply because they're foreigners and strangers to us. The media, bloggers, and racists aren't treating Jews as regular human beings with different set of values and religious practices. (And is it so ironic the producers, editors, and other top people running the media are Jews? I'll get to this one)
So back to the question. In other words, what can Jews do these days to combat their negative public image?
Jews need to become example setters. Jews need to inspire others to realize that there is a point to have an education, to maintain strong ethnic/religious traditions, and hold values (quite much like American values, which shouldn't be so difficult for anti-semitic Americans to attain and maintain..) such as justice, equality, and liberty). Secular and religious alike, Jews just have those basics down and find a way to become successful. I've had non-Jewish friends awe over our qualities and traditions' meanings, especially Yom Kippur and Passover.
One of the more important things that we need to teach ourselves and our children is to call out on those antisemitic undertones everywhere. Confront people who whisper those and say, "What's up with you and Jews?" (keep yourself out of the picture) Challenge them and ask if they know of any "good" Jews. I applaud Chuck Lorre for calling out on Charlie Sheen, who plays one of television's most loved characters.
As a community, Jews should focus on the positives of our Jewish history. We should remember and examine Jews who truly have set examples for others, simply because they're decent human beings who could/can distinguish the right from the wrong. There are so many more Jews who have done wonderful things than those who committed crime. Take a look at the top 18 Jewish figures that the public have voted at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, and "History Makers" listed by Jewish Women's Archives in Boston. And let others know about them! Personally, I admire Elena Kagan, Steven Spielberg, and Betty Friedan. And I know several Jewish men and women whom I deeply admire as well.
But I'll look at the public shaming of "bad Jews", in particular by the Jewish community as a way to remind them that the whole Jewish diaspora took notice and disapproved their actions. Nice way to embarrass the family of over 12 million, guys. Now, do some good and salvage our image.
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