| Title: | BAGELS and other things of Jewish interest |
| Notice: | 1.0 policy, 280.0 directory, 32.0 registration |
| Moderator: | SMURF::FENSTER |
| Created: | Mon Feb 03 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Thu Jun 05 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 1524 |
| Total number of notes: | 18709 |
Two weeks ago my sister and I started this conversation and it continues
in my head. My sister goes to school at SMU in New Bedford area, and she has
been taking some Jewish Lit classes. In one of her classes they discussed how
people will single you out as the one good jewish friend they have. Meaning
of course that all others are different. "My jewish friend". So when someone
says "no offense but it is those (wealthy) jews, they just don't care..." the
"no offense" part means "My jewish friend" is different, so she/he won't be
offended. Since her class she had this happen to her with her new boss and
she didn't know what to say, though she was angry. After our discussion she
has decided she will say that it does offend her.
The other day I was waitressing, (I have since given my notice) and one of
the women that I work with said "Boy, there were a lot of Jews in here tonight,
I didn't make much at all in tips" My response was - "You know I'm Jewish?"
She said "Yea, but don't you notice how poorly the tips are?" ...if I
hadn't had the discussion with my sister recently I probably still wouldn't
be thinking of it at all.
I know this will make people's blood boil. I just wanted to open it to
discussion, not make everyone angry, so please temper your replies.
Thanks
Sandy
Comments?
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 434.1 | pointer to a stereotype | FSLENG::CHERSON | and what's your raison d'etre?! | Thu Jan 28 1988 12:42 | 8 |
Sandy,
The comment about the amount of tips and Jews of course is a pointer
to a racial stereotype, much as the derogative phrase "work like
a nigger" that has been used in this area (and probably is still
used by some locals).
David
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| 434.2 | Not unique | BOLT::MINOW | Je suis marxiste, tendance Groucho | Fri Jan 29 1988 09:57 | 9 |
It seems to be fairly normal to separate the "class" from the "individual." I.e., you're ok (because I know you), but those others (you share some trait with) are real sob's: "All Californians are quiche eaters, except Clint Eastwood, of course." While there's certainly some element of bigotry involved, I doubt it is uniquely directed to any particular social class. Martin. | |||||