New York Times Front Page: Black Jewish Experience 100% Correct

On the front page of today's New York Times they ran an article about Obama's attempts to win the Jewish vote, especially the older Jewish vote in Florida. Jewish voters play a key role because of their population density in Florida, California, Pennsylvania, New York, and other New England states.

The article is really good, but lets get right to the heart of what I was talking about in my blog post "Subtle Racism in The Jewish Community"

Here is the only quote you need from the New York Times:

“The people here, liberal people, will not vote for Obama because of his attitude towards Israel,” Ms. Weitz, 83, said, lingering over brunch.

“They’re going to vote for McCain,” she said.

Ms. Grossman, 80, agreed with her friend’s conclusion, but not her reasoning.

“They’ll pick on the minister thing, they’ll pick on the wife, but the major issue is color,” she said, quietly fingering a coffee cup.

...But Ms. Grossman does not tell the neighbors [she is thinking of voting for Obama]. “I keep my mouth shut,” she said.

That is really the point.

I have heard so many rationales in temple and other Jewish events why they won't vote for Obama. But when they are ridiculous assertions like he wants to give Israel to Palestinians, and he secretly is a Muslim, the truth behind it is what I have experienced growing up Black in the Jewish community. There is a not so subtle racism that is invasive in my community.

Here's some of what I said March 1st WAY TO CATCH UP NEW YORK TIMES. HOW ABOUT GIVING SOME LOVE TO THIS BLOG:

I was Jewish and they were Jewish, why did me being darker mean I should be treated differently?

My mother was not often accepted because she chose Judaism as a “convert,” something other converts never had to prove themselves, as she did.

I was beaten, had rocks thrown at me, was called names (etc.), simply because of the color of my skin. As I got older the abuses turned to more adult forms of abuse, like societal exclusion.

I see this all being manifested in the Jewish communities' reactions to Barak Obama. Many are supporting him, many others just trust the historic relationship between the Clintons and Israel.

But there is a vocal subset who question Obama’s support of Israel, why? Because his name sounds Muslim? Because he is black? He is ….. ? It’s not acceptable in modern society to be outright with prejudice so it is always coaxed in the language of moderate worry.

It goes on to pick a part some of the rationales that are thrown up to hide the racism, but is there and it is so so sad. We as Jews must demand better from our parents and grandparents. This is not what our religion is about.

Do you want more people to die needless in a war with Iran and continued in Iraq simply because you are uncomfortable with Barack's pigmentation and funny name?

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