Conference taveng::bagels

678.0. "JAP JOKES?" by BOOVX1::SELTZER () Fri Mar 31 1989 16:04

    I have been reading and enjoying the BAGELS NOTES file for a while
    now. I thought it would be interesting to share the following article
    with the rest of the noters. Its origin is the AJC journal but it
    was forwarded to me via the SSM Cultural Board.
    I'd be interested in other people's reactions to this.
    
    ellen
    

Author:	Diane C. Denehy               
Date:	24-Mar-1989
Posted-date: 24-Mar-1989


                                   JAP JOKES

Author:  Linda Greenman
THE AJC Journal


JAP Jokes have a long history in the annals of Jewish humor.  Largely 
good-natured, in the past they provided Jewish men with a relatively innocent 
means of expressing the universal "battle of the sexes".  In fact, "Jewish 
American Princess" was a title usually bestowed lovingly by men proud of their 
ability to protect and pamper their wives.  Today, however, "JAP" jokes are 
neither funny nor innocent.  In fact, they have become sinister.  The following 
situations testify to the serious misogyny - with more than a hint of violence - 
that underlies the "humor" in current jokes, greeting cards, games and graffiti.

* The "Insider's Guide to Colleges", published by The Yale Daily News, 
  identifies schools with high JAP enrollment.

* Colleges with Jewish student populations of 20 percent or more are warning 
  Jewish women to tear clear of certain campus hangouts identified as "JAP-free   
  zones", implying violations could be dangerous.

* A Jewish fraternity booth at a recent college carnival offered "Slap-A-JAP"
  T-shirts and invited visitors to test their skills at a board game with 
  obscene "JAP" implications.

* Two Jewish radio announcers sponsored a "Biggest JAP on Campus" contest at 
  American University.

* A student newspaper at Maryland University listed "No JAPS" housing   
  facilities.

* Cornell University's student publication advertises a "JAP-B-GONE" home 
  exterminator kit.

* Library tables at a large university are covered with obscene and violent "JAP 
  graffiti.

Dozens of questions and few answers surround the current "JAP" joke revival.  
For example, the question of why Jewish men not only participate but frequently 
initiate many of the cruelest "jokes".  Indeed, the term "JAP" referring to a 
spoiled, self-indulgent and often vapid Jewish female, was invented by Jewish 
men.  It is particularly perplexing in view of the fact that no other ethnic or 
religious group has consistently demeaned their women or permitted their public 
humiliation in this manner.

Another question arises about timing.  The reemergence of the stereotyping and 
its widespread support is occurring when unprecedented numbers of Jewish women 
and preparing for and pursuing careers.  While the "princess" has virtually 
disappeared from society, the stereotype has grown stronger, meaner and more 
dangerous.  Some theorists believe that it is precisely the disappearance of the 
economically dependent woman that has fueled hostility.  The Jewish woman's 
success in achieving career goals, self-support and professional status in the 
mainstream of both secular and religious life poses an enormous, although 
unacknowledged, threat to Jewish men.  Demoralized by the loss of their 
traditionally dominant role in economic and family life and unable to accept her 
as a competitor, the Jewish man attempts to diminish the Jewish woman's status 
and achievements by labeling her a "princess".

Underlying the denigration of Jewish women is the issue of veiled anti-Semitism.  
Since the early 1980's "JAP" jokes have become menacing, often implying threats 
of violence and sexual abuse.  This is occurring at a time when openly 
anti-Semitic remarks are no longer acceptable, largely because Jews have 
established a firm foothold in American society, economics, politics, the arts 
and sciences.  However, the term "JAP" is an acceptable code word, permitting 
the user to "belong" to the larger non-Jewish world.  As a recent Newsweek 
article pointed out, "Misogyny, after all, is even older than anti-Semitism and, 
unfortunately, always in fashion".  Thus, the intrinsically anti-Semitic 
implications are buried.

Not long ago, Sherry Merfish, chair of the Women's Issues Committee at the AJC's 
Houston chapter, was enraged to discover a "JAP Handbook" on display at the 
Jewish Book Fair.  Her attempts to alert the Jewish community to the outright 
anti-Semitic implications of the book were met with alarming indifference and 
incomprehension, even from rabbis.  Citing the long history of self-deprecating 
and masochistic Jewish humor, the rabbis maintained that the book was within the 
province of authentic Jewish humor.  Ruth Septee, chair of the AJC's National 
Women's Issues Committee, warned that "JAP" insults can easily parade as humor, 
becoming permission to demean Jewish women and by extension, all Jews".

Mimi Alperin, chair of the AJC's Executive Committee, in a recent booklet 
published by the AJC states:  "The "JAP" joke is driving a wedge between Jewish 
men and women, and it is becoming an acceptable vehicle for non-Jews to express 
anti-Semitism."  The observation is corroborated by psychologists experienced in 
dealing with identity problems among young Jewish men and women.  They point to 
the fact that the "JAP" stereotype is frequently used by Jewish men to justify 
their preference for dating and marrying non-Jewish women.  The statistics on 
intermarriage are testimony to the validity of these concerns.  Alperin goes on 
to observe the tragic consequences on individual lives:  "The sad effect of any 
stereotyping is that it perpetuates self-hatred.  Jewish women have their noses 
fixed, their hair straightened, become anorexic...Self-hatred leads both Jewish 
men and Jewish women to dissociate themselves from the Jewish community."

Why does the Jewish community deeply sensitive to anti-Semitism and to 
violations of human rights not only permit, but indulge and even sanctify these 
destructive attitudes?  Many experts agree that the source of the problem goes 
back to the early 1950s and the publication of the novel Marjorie Morningstar.  
Vastly popular as a book, the fable went on to become a widely acclaimed film.  
To the galaxy of Jewish stereotypes in literature, the American Jewish Princess 
was added.  Although Herman Wouk never used the term directly, "Morningstar" was 
the embodiment of the stereotypical spoiled, over-indulged daughter of doting 
Jewish parents.  Wouk exposed a whole generation of typical Jewish women to the 
world and to themselves.  "Morningstar's" successor was a product of the 1960s 
and 1970s when Brenda Potamkin became the new "princess" in Goodbye Columbus.  
While Wouk expressed some sympathy for his heroine, Philip Roth was merciless.  
Applying a rapier wit and even sharper literary skills, Roth created the modern 
"witch".  now a full-blown narcissist, Potamkin also reflected the bourgeois 
Jewish values of marriage, family, wealth and possessions.

Despite the gaps in their humanity, there is a touching ambivalence about these 
characters.  On the one hand, they aspire to become "mod" to look and act like a 
sophisticated American woman.  On the other, they are loyal to the traditional 
values of their home and upbringing.  Trapped by their "outsider's" status, lack 
of experience and limited education, they become objects of pity, then scorn and 
ultimately ridicule by the men in their lives.

What could inspire such hatred and mockery in their creators?  Studies of ethnic 
literature and humor support the theory that the Jewish American Princess was 
the creation of first-and-second generation Jewish men.  Torn between their 
loyalty to tradition and the Jewish family and fascination with the rewards of 
assimilation in modern society, they projected their conflicts onto Jewish 
women.  The "JAP" voracious, vulgar and demanding became the target for the 
authors' anger, frustration and guilt.  The Jewish man, struggling to find his 
way and his voice in a world outside the Jewish experience cast the proverbial 
Jewish mother and daughter as symbolic traps.  The male, be he brother, father 
or son was the victim; the sacrificial lamb deprived of this rightful position 
in society because the women who reared and married him were socially 
unacceptable.

The question still remains largely unanswered.  Why is the "JAP" epithet used so 
ubiquitously today?  It is curious that at a time when greed has become a 
national malady; when possessions have become an addiction for an entire 
generation of "yuppies" ostenation is still a Jewish trait; dishonesty a Jewish 
weakness; vulgarity a Jewish characteristic.  It is the anti-Semitic message 
that emerges so clearly here.  Our Jewish male writers laid the groundwork by 
making these assaults on Jewish women acceptable; our comedians (male and 
female) perpetuated it and today it serves to express Jewish self-hatred.  When 
Jews use the term "JAP", it is an attempt to separate "us" from "them" by 
implying, "I'm different, I'm not one of those vulgar Jews".

The writers who created "Morningstar" and "Potamkin" observed their own 
self-doubts and insecurities by projecting them onto others.  Jews who continue 
to use the stereotype, whatever the level of wit or wisdom, are projecting the 
same doubts.  As Mimi Alperin said in conclusion:  "We in the Jewish community 
have a lot of work ahead of us, both in healing the wounds and mending the 
breath within and also combating the growing anti-Semitism without.  Strategies 
must attack both at the same time.  We cannot expect the outside world to stop 
what we continue to do ourselves...Let's learn from the "Black is Beautiful" 
slogan...Let's sensitize Jewish teachers and leaders to their role in fostering 
positive Jewish identity.  Even before college, our kids must have  strong, 
positive Jewish identity so that they won't react to anti-Jewish stereotyping by 
joining the chorus and denying their Jewishness."

While the AJC has traditionally fought all racial and ethnic stereotyping, 
involvement in combating the insidious effects of the "JAP" invasion has become 
a priority since a national conference on the issue was held in September 1987.  
The Woman's Issues division has been contacting all national Jewish 
organizations in an effort to educate their membership to the virulence of the 
"JAP joke" development and to work toward a united resolution.  Traveling around 
the country, making speeches, holding meetings and distributing the AJC's 
special pamphlet on the issue has produced an encouraging response.   AJC has 
commissioned a special research project to study the influence of the stereotype 
at a selected group of colleges.  In the planning stage, is a cosponsored 
program to develop special curriculum for elementary schools, high schools and 
colleges with the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education.  AJC has 
also developed a model workshop kit for conducting sensitivity training sessions 
that is being used around the country.  Indeed, all effort is directed toward 
the day when the term "JAP" will be eliminated from the American Lexicon.

                      ----------------------------

Linda Greenman is the AJC's National Coordinator for Women's Issues.
  

Distribution List:

NAME: DAVID COLUCCI <COLUCCI.DAVID AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
NAME: Josie Hanechak <HANECHAK.JOSEPHINE AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
NAME: DAVID R.MASSE <MASSE.DAVID AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
NAME: CAROL A. ROCKWELL <ROCKWELL.CAROL AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
BAIRD @WFOVX4 @VAXMAIL,
NAME: NANCY BRENNAN <BRENNAN.NANCY AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
NAME: MARY CAHILLANE <CAHILLANE.MARY AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
NAME: SUE COOK <COOK.SUSAN AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
NAME: Diane C. Denehy <DENEHY.DIANE AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
NAME: Addie Escarcida <ESCARCIDA.ADDIE AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
NAME: Joseph M. Graziadei <GRAZIADEI.JOSEPH AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
SANDRA MAYNARD @WFO,
CHARLEEN OATES @WFO,
NAME: John A. Pompei <POMPEI.JOHN AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
MAY BECKLUND @NRO,
NAME: Ellen E. Boyle <BOYLE.ELLEN AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
NAME: Pat DeBenedictis <DEBENEDICTIS.PAT AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
NAME: Paul Edry <EDRY.PAUL AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
NAME: ANDREW O. EDWARDS <EDWARDS.ANDREW AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
FISHER@TLE@VAXMAIL,
FULLER @BTO @VAXMAIL,
NAME: JAMES T. KELLY (JIM) <KELLY.JAMES AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
LAPOINTE.MARK AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO,
LUPACCHINO @SALEM @VAXMAIL,
NAME: CHRISTINA M. PARKER <PARKER.CHRISTINA AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
PHILBIN @BIGMAC @VAXMAIL,
NAME: CAROL A. ROCKWELL <ROCKWELL.CAROL AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
WELSH @FRSBEE @VAXMAIL,
NAME: WILL,KATHYRN <WILL.KATHERINE AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
AMILLER@NAVAJO@VAXMAIL,
BRANDON@BOOVX1@VAXMAIL,
CLARKE@JACOB@VAXMAIL,
CONKLIN@HUMAN@VAXMAIL,
CRUZ@ISLNDS@VAXMAIL,
DONOHOE@VALUES@VAXMAIL,
NAME: Joseph M. Graziadei <GRAZIADEI.JOSEPH AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
NAME: ESTELITA M. HURLEY <HURLEY.ESTELITA AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
KENEFICK@TIS@VAXMAIL,
KOCH@VALUES@VAXMAIL,
MILLER@BRUTUS@VAXMAIL,
NAME: Kenneth Sole <SOLE.KENNETH AT A1 at WFOV11 at WFO>,
SOTO @NPOPO@VAXMAIL,
TMAY@ELMAGE@VAXMAIL,
WELSH@FRSBEE@VAXMAIL,
WILKINS@BOOVX1@VAXMAIL

Ellen,

It seems hard to believe your note went a bit quiet.  I don't have
time to comment on all of it.  Perhaps a serious reply after I've
digested it a little, but for now:


I think the author, Linda Greenman, needs to lighten up a bit.  I've
been out of the U.S. for some 18 years, so my comments are a bit dated.

>In fact, "Jewish American Princess" was a title usually bestowed lovingly
>by men proud of their ability to protect and pamper their wives.

NOT where I grew up (Philadelphia).  It was used jokingly (and I'll admit
viciously) to refer to the "upper-classes" (Mainline for those who know).

>Today, however, "JAP" jokes are neither funny nor innocent. 

Of course they're funny (and in some cases innocent :-))!  Funny and
innocent are personal value judgments (as they should be) and one 
should avoid insulting another's values.

>* The "Insider's Guide to Colleges", published by The Yale Daily News, 
>  identifies schools with high JAP enrollment.

WOW!  I wish I'd had one of these _before_ I registered.  One of the nice
benefits of (dare I say it?) JAPs; is rich parents.  You can spend your
whole life working for a million dollars or marry it in 5 minutes :-).

>"JAP-free zones", implying violations could be dangerous.

Oh come on; "dangerous"?  Violations would certainly be dangerous to the
guys (OK...OK...sexist remark coming up) already there...beer wouldn't
be good enough, she'd order champagne!  Dangerous to ye 'ole pocketbook
beyond any doubt!

>"Slap-A-JAP" T-shirts...

Now why didn't I think of that?  Could have been useful growing up
with three (yes, JAP) sisters!

>"Biggest JAP on Campus" contest...

Won't even think about _touching_ this line!

>"No JAPS" housing facilities.

Give me a break!  Penn had (has) "NO JEWS" Fraternity houses.  What's
the difference?

>"JAP-B-GONE" home exterminator kit.

She's right.  This is sick.

>"JAP" graffiti.

ALL violent and obscene graffiti is sad indeed.

re: < Note 678.0 by BOOVX1::SELTZER >

I was going to refrain from responding, 'coz I'm going to catch hell for it, but
I like to live dangerously...

> Largely good-natured, in the past they provided Jewish men with a relatively
> innocent means of expressing the universal "battle of the sexes".

	Not any that I've heard. I've always thought it to be a alternative
	way of kvetching about the women we meet.

> The following situations testify to the serious misogyny - with more than a
> hint of violence - that underlies the "humor" in current jokes, greeting 
> cards, games and graffiti.

	Misogyny? Very selective misogyny, at best.

> While the "princess" has virtually disappeared from society, the stereotype 
> has grown stronger, meaner and more dangerous.  Some theorists believe that 
> it is precisely the disappearance of the economically dependent woman that 
> has fueled hostility. The Jewish woman's success in achieving career goals, 
> self-support and professional status in the mainstream of both secular and 
> religious life poses an enormous, although unacknowledged, threat to Jewish 
> men.  Demoralized by the loss of their traditionally dominant role in 
> economic and family life and unable to accept her as a competitor, the Jewish 
> man attempts to diminish the Jewish woman's status and achievements by 
> labeling her a "princess".

	Hogwash! It has nothing to do with "economic dependence". It has to 
	do with whiny women who are overbearing, expect to be catered to and
	slaves to fashion and appearance. Perhaps someone can add to the
	stereotype, but it's late...

	And, no, JAPs have not disappeared, by any means. I know a few myself.
	One is a very well-to-do ad executive, and one is a total washout who
	hasn't achieved anything since leaving college.


> Mimi Alperin, chair of the AJC's Executive Committee, in a recent booklet
> published by the AJC states:  "The "JAP" joke is driving a wedge between 
> Jewish men and women, and it is becoming an acceptable vehicle for non-Jews 
> to express anti-Semitism." The observation is corroborated by psychologists
> experienced in dealing with identity problems among young Jewish men and
> women.  They point to the fact that the "JAP" stereotype is frequently used
> by Jewish men to justify their preference for dating and marrying non-Jewish
> women.  The statistics on intermarriage are testimony to the validity of
> these concerns.  Alperin goes on to observe the tragic consequences on
> individual lives:  "The sad effect of any stereotyping is that it perpetuates
> self-hatred.  Jewish women have their noses fixed, their hair straightened,
> become anorexic...Self-hatred leads both Jewish men and Jewish women to
> dissociate themselves from the Jewish community." 

	Sad, but true. You know something, though? It isn't the appearance; it's
	the attitude. My mother asks me "Don't you meet any nice Jewish girls?"
	I usually say "Not nice ones".

eric

    I've come to despise JAP jokes.  When people -- Jews and non-Jews
    -- make JAP jokes, they perpetuate a stereotype, which is as false
    and demeaning as other stereotypes about Jews (or any other ethnic
    stereotype).
    
    Jewish men who make and laugh at JAP jokes might just as well be
    making jokes about other "well established" Jewish characteristics
    that the anti-semites love to dwell on.
    
    Gene ... the husband, son, & brother of Jewish American women.
    

    On the other hand, I've seen many Germans laughing to French people
    telling German jokes, and vice-versa.
    
    And they still like each other.
    
    It's hard to shake a hand or share a laugh, sometimes, isn't it?
    And I very well distinguish malicious from harmless jokes, here.
    
    Comparingly yours,
    
    Chris

    I find no type of hateful, painful, derogatory, compassionless 
    ethnic "joke" funny.  It shows a sadism that I would think 
    one would want to hide not advertise.  Antisemites in particular 
    love this type of "humor".
         
    Bernice

    But, Bernice, most of the so-called "Jewish" jokes are told by Jews.
    Actually, the largest collection of Jewish jokes (in Yiddish and
    German) has been assembled by a Jewish author. Problem is, they
    are mostly told amongst yourselves, hence, little known.
    
    Rather than being ethnic jokes, they were jokes highlighting the
    values of the Jewish culture and identity.
    
    "Ethnic" jokes on Jews are miserable and offensive.
    
    A joke "about" somebody is different from a joke "on" somebody.

    Re. .6 
    
    I agree with you.  I would welcome jokes, stories, anything
    highlighting the values of Jewish culture and identity.  The
    subject of the base note however, is in another category and
    is what is objectionable.
    
    B