C1: Prejudice

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Racism - then and now

Jews have been living in Britain for well over a thousand years. Our history here has, as elsewhere in the world, been of mixed fortune: left in peace during some periods, persecuted in others. Oppression was particularly acute during the early Middle Ages. Denied the most basic of civic liberties e.g. the right to own land, Jews were forced into occupations like money lending which quickly lead to enmity and then full blown hatred.

One of the most dramatic events of utter rejection was when all Jews were expelled from Britain for over 350 years (1290-1656) Only with the advent of Cromwell, the Lord Protector, were they allowed to return.

In Britain today there are still Fascist movements and political parties. They advocate the expulsion of Jews from this country and blame us for many social and economic problems. Every so often we read about another anti-Semitic attack in the papers.

This long chronicle of persecution has caused some Jews to hide their identity; to try and fit into society and not stand out. This actually gives a victory to the racists and helps create a society that is conformist and discriminates against outsiders. We should be proud of our Jewish identity. It should never be controlled or defined by non-Jews, especially those who despise us.

A Jewish approach

Ever since Biblical times Jews have been commanded and instructed to fight prejudice and promote racial justice:

Do not hurt the feelings of a stranger or oppress them, for you were strangers in Egypt (Exodus 22:20)

Do not hate your contemporary in your heart... love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:17,18)

Seek the peace of the city to which I have taken you ...for on its peace your own peace depends (Jeremiah 29:7)

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles... (Proverbs 24:17)

There are literally hundreds of references to these issues. Precisely because our people have experienced these difficulties we are responsible not to act in a similar fashion. Over and over again, the Torah says to us: you were strangers. You knew what it was like. You knew how it felt. Don't do it, otherwise you have learned nothing. Jewish Sages throughout our history have reiterated these values:

Why is the word justice written twice ("Justice, justice you shall pursue", Duet. 16:20)? To teach us that we must practice justice at all times, whether it be for our profit or our loss, and towards all people, towards Jews and non-Jews alike. (Talmud Sanhedrin 32b)

Above all, the Torah warns us against afflicting and oppressing those people who, being helpless themselves, need the help and support of others ...though others may discriminate against the Jew and not recognise you, the 'stranger' as a human being, nevertheless, you as a Jew, a child of Israel, must not fail to recognise every stranger as a human being! (Rabbi Samson R. Hirsch in 1837, Horev p.254)

Me? Prejudiced? I'm not that stupid!

You don't have to be stupid to be prejudiced. Many clever and talented people have been responsible for prejudice, racism and pure blind hatred, as Jews know only to well. As Jews we also have to admit that we too can be guilty of these attitudes. Being intelligent or being in a minority does not make you incapable of prejudice.

What's in a name?

Rather than analyse the reasons for their prejudice, it is far easier for racists to use an offensive name or a derogatory term which focuses their loathing. So, blacks become 'niggers', Asians become 'pakis', Chinese become 'chinks' and Jews become 'yids'. Name calling is a form of dehumanising which can work both ways: the racist, by shouting a derogatory name at someone finds it easier to hate them, and the receiver of the abuse feels degraded by being identified in such a manner.

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