You hope to go through life without being discriminated against for whoever you are, but sometimes you just can't escape it. Just people say derogatory remarks are said to Malcolm and African Americans in general in the 19040's, a case like this happened to me and my friends. Hanging out at the local Starbucks in town is typical for high school kids. One day last year though, made me not want to go back there ever again. Around holiday time, my friend was in Starbucks and casually asked why there weren't any Hannukah decorations up. The cashier responded saying, "Well how about we throw some pennies on the floor, and then your kind will come?" My friend was outraged and yelled at the guy. After telling me what happened I stormed in there and yelled at the guy myself. Considering the fact that I'm jewish myself, it really offended me. He brushed my comments off his shoulder like they meant nothing. If he didn't say he were quitting the next day I would have written a strongly worded letter to the manager. Now that I think about it, I still should have written that letter. After I left Starbucks I went outside and drew jewish stars on the window just because I was so furious. It was indescribable how the comment made me feel so I can relate to how Malcolm felt.
In addition to an instance like this one, I even hear insensitive comments within the school. It's always "just kidding around" and although I don't want to be hypocritical, it is funny sometimes. But it gets to a point where it's not, and considering things like this that have happened to me, I know how bad racism hurt African Americans during Malcolm X's time, and even today.
Here's a link of a summary of someone's essay on Jewish discrimination. It is the epitome of what Jewish discrimination is and has words and phrases that people hold back to say because they are so insulting, but all things considered, people DO say them.
http://www.directessays.com/viewpaper/90570.html
1 comment:
I probably would have flipped out on that guy. I'm Jewish too, more by decent than religiously. To me, stereotypes and comments like that themselves don't bother me, it all depends on how their said. Like this guy was trying to disrespect you, so I'd punch him, but one of my friends joking around wouldn't bother me, as long as its not too much, because they aren't trying to be mean deliberately.
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