-Dean Drake
Although America has historically striven to mitigate the natural tendency of stereotyping and systematically persecuting individuals based on race, hypocrisy is deep within the DNA of an imperfect humanity. Thus, there is the inevitable trend for some in politics to advocate for specific racial groups. Unfortunately, this actually reinforces racism rather than counters it. History is replete with examples of racially-motivated animus, but people of Jewish descent have endured particularly strong antagonism and violence due to their racial heritage. This hatred has been so pronounced throughout history, it has been specifically classified: anti-Semitism. The term actually refers to several different groups of Semitic peoples, but it has become synonymous with hatred for Jews, as they have experienced drastically disproportionate levels of persecution. It should be stipulated that anti-Semitism is a reflection of racial hatred more so than religious bigotry of Judaism. This is because even when Jews have historically taken great pains to dissociate from Judaism, they were still persecuted because of their genetic makeup.
America was founded as a land of individual freedoms under a system of laws of which its intent is to treat every race and economic class as equally as possible. Thus, the rise of coordinated animus and persecution of Jews seems foreign to American culture and the legal precedent of protecting individual freedoms, irrespective of race. America's historically special relationship with Jews was reinforced internationally, when the United States became the first nation to give de-facto recognition to the nation of Israel as a Jewish homeland over 69 years ago. Certainly, America’s fidelity to Jews around the world should not be a great surprise, considering several of our Founders recognized the Judeo-Christian premise of America’s founding. In fact, Moses is now engraved in stone overlooking the U.S. Congress from a central position of a balcony. Further, biblical and archaeological sources have provided more than ample evidence to support a Jewish property deed to the land of Israel. However, this claim is dismissed and at times even challenged by many Americans, who are seemingly motivated by a growing wave of anti-Semitism in America. They are often sympathizers or active participants of a modern anti-Semitic movement known as “Boycott, Divest, Sanction” (BDS), but they are more notably political activists on university and college campuses throughout the United States.
In America, Jews have generally lived in relative peace, but the Anti-Defamation League has compiled a list of the most anti-Semitic groups, which operate primarily from the political left. Several of these groups also have direct ties to radical Islam, and they have taken advantage of our freedom of speech liberties to organize events characterized by rhetoric hostile to the nation of Israel and Jews as a people throughout the globe. Public higher education institutions are magnets for those seeking to sew the seeds of anti-Semitism. Recently, Muslim-American rhetorician Linda Sarsour was invited by CUNY’s School of Public Health to deliver its commencement address. Many in attendance claimed only to exercise their “right” to express controversial ideas. Hypocritically, CUNY and kindred institutions vehemently oppose pro-Israel speakers presenting notable speeches on their campuses. This actually nullifies the principle of tolerance rather than champions it.
Its now August 2017 and sadly anti-Semitism in America has advanced far beyond mere rhetoric. It has sporadically oozed into physical acts of violence, particularly on university and college campuses throughout the United States. However, before we can offer a solution to anti-Semitism, as with any issue, we must first recognize that there is a problem. Then, we define and determine its source, before any effective countermeasures can be taken. Racial animosity can never be completely purged from the human experience, but we can at least curb our natural tendencies. Personally, it is my belief that our national attitude toward Israel and the Jewish people has played a part in American exceptionalism (Genesis 12:3).
Anti-Semitism is one of many forms of evil hidden in the guise of racism and violent hatred. It is my sincere hope that Americans will recognize that every person in this world came from a single common ancestor. The best way to engage one another is to focus on the character and actions of individuals and nations, rather than merely superficial features, and ethnic origins.
Part (2/3): Anti-Semitism: Around The World
Part (3/3): In Progress