Racism & Judaism

Last Thursday, I found myself involved with in a chat-room conversation with two Jewish men who were complaining about Black people in their neighborhood. The conversation quickly turned to insulting the history of Black people in America, Africa (past and present), myths about Black slavery and just a general bigoted attitude towards people of African decent. Most interesting is that even I stated 3 times that I myself was Black, they did not catch onto it (probably because just prior, I was talking in depth about various Jewish neighborhoods in New York that I had gone to for Shabbos); and it was probably for the better. If they would have known I was Black, everything I would have uttered would have been good for nothing, and they would turn their insults full-force at me personally.

And of course they offered up the oh-so-big-and-bad insult to me - they called me a liberal.

I am not shocked, but I am utterly confused by this sort of behavior from frum Jews! The last time I had to deal with such bigotry was back in PIA in my aviation studies. But at least there, I could rationalize that, "Hey, this are backwoods, redneck young males who have a sheltered view of the world - including minorities; what do they know?" But now, I am starting to see that the same situation can manifest itself in the Jewish community.

Never mind images such as these which are obvious, permanent reminders that no so long ago, the Jews and the Niggers were one of the same to the Anglo-Saxon racists of the world. Even today, organizations such as the National Vanguard see the Jews, Blacks, and Hispanics as a common malice. But as quickly as some Jews are to dismiss these unfounded claims of clandestine Jewish manipulation of American politics and the economy, they are slow to dismiss the negative stereotypes perpetuated [by the media] about Blacks.

Before I get to deep into my tirade, I must say that by far, in my experience, Orthodox Jews have outperformed secular and non-Orthodox Jews in their relations with me. It's true that many of the non-Orthodox are Democrats and committed to civil rights in general. But when it comes to treating you like a person and not a curiousity; with not pretending to understand when they really don't; etc. With Orthodox Jews, you feel a connection that doesn't come between you (if you are shomer mitzvot) and other secular Jews. Even if the other Orthodox Jew is not particulary friendly with you - you are still 'connected'. Such connection can only come about in a community established by Hashem.

That being said, it is nothing more than a chillul Hashem when a frum Jew will reduce themselves to repeat and perpetuate racist, bigoted ideas and comments. As if the Shoah was not enough to show us the mindlessness of racial-based beliefs of inferiority/superiority. In this article , it specifically discusses with how racial bigotry is not in accordance to the teachings of Torah at all and in fact should be avoided at all costs because there are Yidden of every race out there so you will not be able to seperate your comments against a particular race and lashon hara against another Jew.

Of course there is the camp that would like to believe that racism is sanctioned by the Talmud (see this thread at Hashkafah.com) . Of course, the Talmud has been time and time again, misquoted, misrepresented, and misunderstood. This man does a good job a refuting many of these false Talmudic quotes. And this man presents quite well the rebuttal of the fact that Judaism teaches racism.

Getting back to me, I have already opened up the gate to a path that will put me into the heart of one of the most misunderstood religious communities in America. Just like my observant White counterparts, I need to live in a certain area, eat in certain places, refrain from melachot at certain times, etc. I will also need to marry an observant man and send my children (if I am so blessed) to Jewish schools where my sons can be properly instructed in the application and depth of the Torah and my daughters can be in an environment where they learn that there is more to the worth of a Bas Yisrael than showing her stuff and looking cute all the time.

Yet for some reason, some Jews feel that because I am Black, I should be limited in my ability to manifest these basic Jewish needs. My favorite is when someone suggests that I should go to Israel to find an "Ethiopian" for shidduch (once I complete gerus). Where does this come from? Why would I be more compatible with an Israeli Ethiopian than with a American Caucasian Jew? Or even a Black American Jewish convert (not that all Black Jews are converts anyway - but that is another issue)?

In Orthodox conversion to Judaism, you essentially 'leave behind' your prior background; in that, from a basis of halacha, you release the connection you had with your non-Jewish family. This is necessary in regards to the individual ger and the execution of standard Jewish rituals. But the emotional connection is still there. It is the soul that is reborn after immersion from the mikveh, not the physical body (if that were the case, I'm sure that conversion to Judaism would be much more popular!).

It is not at all easy to push aside all the stories that you hear and all the hype to see someone as who they really are. I wish that I myself can fully say that when I see a physically handicapped individual, that I do not get hung up on their appearance, and I'm able to see their neshama above all right away; but albeight I cannot. However the Torah is the way that Jews can obtain the ability to become more intune with common humanity. In the Amida three times daily, Jews affirm to love the prostelytes among them. Is there a limit to that love?

What is this basis for the Jewish fear and dislike of Black people? And don't say Farakkhan. I don't know of a single Black person who takes that man seriously. It's true that other 'Black leaders' have given speeches peppered with Anti-Semitic remarks, but so have the Catholic Popes. Perhaps Black people are just easy to pick on. I mean, it must be oh-so-easy! They are all poor, welfare srounging, drug addicted good-for-nothings who did not 'help themselves' like the Jews did. Well I'm not going to get into it here my ideas as to why the Blacks were "left behind" in regards to economic progression in America; but it is pretty safe to say that such reasoning is grossly flawed. 1) Who said the 'majority' of Black people have not improved in comparison to their Grandparent's generation? (I know I certainly did) and 2) Who is saying that the Jews have been more successful? Especially among Orthodox Jews; there were Jewish mothers standly right along with me trying to get the FEMA EBT (a.k.a. food stamps) when Hurricane Wilma hit. And I can afford to shop in Macy's and Ann Taylor when many of my neighbors can't.

This is not an issue of saying that I am right, you are wrong, blah, blah. I just want to put reality out there. And if I can't change it, I want to at least help my future children wade through this mishaggus. Among my prayers for them (which will include a love of Torah and Yiddeshkeit) will be that they will not sink to the level of bigotry which can foster in an insular community. I love the feeling of living where I live; of going to the local groceries and seeing kosher food; of seeing the bookstores - even the non-Jewish ones, catering to a Jewish populace; to see everyone going out on Motzei Shabbos; to see all the children scrupulous in wearing their kippot and practicing acts of chessed; I really love all of that! To have it tainted by unneccessary bigotry and myths about not only non-Jews, but non-Jews who have a different skin color - my oh my.

Since the detractors love to pull reinforcers of racism from the Torah, what about when Miriam was afflicted for her criticism of Moshe Rabbenu's wife (which included that she was Black). Surely you don't need a more obvious example of what Hashem thinks of racism.