Leslie Mixon wrote:
>
> <<As a Jewish woman growing up in America, I experienced bigotry
> first-hand. Living in New York City (my grandparents emigrated to Ellis
> Island), many of our neighbors had numbers tattooed on their arms.
> Ironically, my own father was not much different than Archie Bunker,
> spewing expletives and derogatory remarks towards non-Jewish people;
> talk about hypocrisy. Just recently I was in a second-hand store and the
> clerk said to a customer, "Why are you trying to Jew me down in price?"
> Last week a co-worker referred to her boss as a Jewish American Prince.
> Even though I realize this is a display of ignorance on "their" part, it
> still hurts. It's still painful that a person would be thought of as
> "lesser than" because of their ethnicity or heritage. >>
Leslie, thank you for bringing your thoughts to the foreground. There are so
many of these deeply embedded little 'expressions' which do slam into souls
and cut deep, these little things that are so very much a "natural" part of
our language, words and phrases that are deemed acceptable.
With Brei as my best friend and partner, I am even more aware, painfully so,
of the existing prejudice against the Jewish community. We have had
countless talks about it, shed many tears together and I am shocked at the
stories he has shared...of things he has heard, been called, assumptions
made about him because he is Jewish....things he lives with in his every day
existence.
It sickens me, hurts me even more than ever. Ive always felt outrage at this
(*&(^, always. It stings me deep and I come to his defense all the time,
whenever the opportunity arises. It is important to, for me. I am amazed at
the reactions to my Chai that Brei gave me as soon as people find out what
it is, what it symbolizes , what it represents. I choose to wear mine on the
outside and I think that is because I dare to, out of respect for Brei.
This is how I choose to effect change in my life, I listen, learn, hear,
speak out, and educate whenever I can. I cringe while I remember and face
and address the racist atmosphere I grew up in. And no it is not something I
am proud of...but what I am proud of is the fact that I am willing to take a
good hard look at myself and make sure that I will not carry on in the
footsteps of those who tried to teach me otherwise.
Our histories (for we need to know that there is certainly more than 'one'
history) bear witness to the existence of "otherness" and therein lies some
twisted need to categorize everyone and put them in some neat and tidy white
bread box. The gnarly roots of racism and prejudice lie deep within us and I
do not understand why they exist. All I know is that I am aware and open to
being challenged to think and rethink all of these issues. I am so grateful
for the insight put forth this week by everyone involved. Let us keep
talking . It is a long road with many a winding turn.
>
>
> <<Prejudice is something I can never rationalize in my own mind.>>
me too, this whole discussion around otherness is so very true. I learned
something so meaningful while taking a Post Colonial Lit course at York a
few years ago by my wonderful Professor Mukhurjee who opened my white girl
eyes and helped me to feel things from her point of view. She taught us that
it is very important to "see" colour and race and class and gender....to be
blind to those things is hurtful...what she encouraged us to do was to
acknowledge difference and honour and celebrate it.
respectfully,
Mags
np: silence
>
--
And this loving is a drawing close,
a tuning in, an opening.
Until one perfect moment;
but how can it be expressed?
A receiving, an enfolding
as I cradle you in my arms.
Within my heart, within my soul,
You are my true love.
--Lui Collins
---
_~O
/ /\_,
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