Take it from a Holocaust survivor: We need Non-Jews to stand up against anti-Semitism
As a Holocaust survivor, I know how hatred spreads until it is inescapable. When I was a child, the crimes committed against Jews and others who were persecuted in the Holocaust were part of my daily life.
I grew up in Compiègne, France in the 1940s. Anti-Semitism came to my city and overwhelmed the streets. It infiltrated my school. I was called a dirty Jew by all but one of my classmates; the one who was an ally has remained a friend to this day. But she was the exception. By almost everyone else, I was made to feel like a piece of dirt.
Anti-Semitism spread across Compiègne until it occupied the city completely. What started as hate crimes that were disregarded grew to be the active policing of the Jewish people.
The responsibility is on each of us, Jews and non-Jews alike, to find ways to stamp out hatred, change course and bridge what divides our nation. by the Forward
I remember when Jews had to start wearing the yellow star, and when we had to sit in the back of the movie theaters, until we couldnt go to the movies at all. I remember going to my favorite park, but only being able to use one part of it, and sit on particular benches. I hope we never get to that point again, but that all started with anti-Semitic attacks that grew more frequent throughout my childhood.
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Skittles
(153,150 posts)they did it in New York recently:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/01/opinion/anti-semitism-new-york.html
My Pet Orangutan
(9,238 posts)I stand against all forms of bigotry, but anti-Semitism gets me to my feet the fastest. It is the most insane of of them all, the most naked hatred of beauty, truth and and life.
kozar
(2,109 posts)In fact,,I have 95% German blood in me,, I cannot change my DNA,, I can change how I think and respect all people
kozar
(2,109 posts)and just stamp out ALL hate.. why are we ,,even on DU,,,having to categorize hate? MLK Day soon upon us,,Let's just continue to stamp out ALL hate. I appreciate and love your survivor status, Let's stamp it all out so no one has to go through what you did. LOVE OF all LIVING,, should never need a qualifier,,and we both did it,, smile
Much respect to you
Koz