Introduction
Anti-Semitism is referred to as hatred or prejudice against Jews. It is a form of racism practiced against the Jewish community as a result of various Jewish heritage backgrounds. Anti-Semitism is dated back in the 19th century through its manifestation by police, violent mob attacks, and military attacks on the Jewish community. There are various historic incidences that have delineated anti-Semitism across the globe. For instance, the Dreyfus affair in France and the Holocaust in Germany represent cases where millions of Jewish followers were concentrated in camps and killed. Anti-Semitism views and ideologies are still in existence in America beside other nations such as the Arab world. According to 2007 Anti-Defamation League statistics, approximately 15 percent of the United States population possesses strong anti-Semitism views. Anti-Semitism ideology has been objected by various political leaders terming it as racial segregation towards the Jewish community. Civil rights movements and political activists have played an imperative role in the fight against Jews discrimination. This paper will focus on anti-Semitism beliefs and attitudes of Americans over the years and how Jewish community has emerged to be strong and prosperous in various fields.
Background
Jewish community and other anti-Christian communities experienced a lot of discrimination in the United States during colonial times. For instance, Jewish people faced prosecutions, massive violent attacks, and other discriminatory practices in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Currently, the United States is among countries that have the biggest population of the Jewish community. The anti-Semitism perception against Jewish community has dwindled over the years following consistent civil rights movements in the 19th century. Research done by the Anti-Defamation League shows anti-Semitism canard as being rejected by a majority of American citizens. According to statistics, 64 percent applauds of Jewish community contribution towards national development projects while a minority of around 19 percent still holds the anti-Semitism canard.
Jewish Immigration
Immigration of Jews in America is signified through a three phase period. Jewish community's migration in America was based on numerous reasons and circumstances. On the contrary, the level of acceptance varied between different Jewish individuals. Jewish immigration in America was, mainly, in search for refuge and freedom. Early Jewish immigrations in America were precipitated by economic depression experienced in Europe. Besides, virulent Jewish discrimination in large parts of east and central Europe also played a significant role to their immigration. In 1840’s and 1850’s Jewish immigrants had dispersed in various towns across America. Most Jews settled for middle class status where they sold wares and established small businesses across the country. The second, and the largest, wave of Jews immigration was in 1881. This was accelerated by Czar Alexander II assassination, the same year. At this time, there were Jews restrictive and exploitative regulations across Europe as a result of the anti-Semitism ideologies.
Jewish Stereotypes
According to Krefetz, Jewish discrimination in the 19th century was more as a result of envy, fear, Jewish power of money and jealous . On the contrary, anti-Semitism is less of contempt or religious reasons. In the recent times, the Jewish community has become stronger in various social and economic fields such as business enterprises. Accordingly, anti-Semitism attitudes are stipulated to increase when America is faced with a financial crisis. This is because of the canard that Jews are powerful and hold very strong leadership positions in the government. There has been a variety of stereotypes that are associated with the Jewish community leading to marginalization. These unacceptable stereotypes revolve around social, economic, and religious perspective. According to writings by David Schneider, there are three negative stereotypes that are applied to the Jewish community. Jews are postulated to be powerful and thus influential people in the world. Secondly, they have been accused of divided loyalty between Israel and the United States. Thirdly, Jews are attributable to certain traits such as aggressiveness, clannishness, and materialistic values .
Americans Viewpoints
According to statistics by the Anti-Defamation League, anti-Semitism attitudes and ideologies have dissipated over the years. The number of Americans holding such views has declined until recently a study by the Anti - Defamation League showed that only 20 percent of the entire population holds anti-Semitism beliefs. Statistics showed that African Americans held relatively larger percentage of anti-Semitism views compared to white Americans. Recent surveys by the Anti-Defamation League have shown a decline in anti-Semitism altitudes from 20- 12 percent in 1992 and 1993. ADL reports about anti-Semitism states that anti-Semitism incidents increased extensively in 2004. In a survey done by the ADL in 2011, economic recession experienced in the United States triggered some kind of anti-Semitism attitudes among American. Despite the fight against racial discrimination in the United States, anti-Semitism beliefs still remain deeply rooted. According to statistics by the ADL, 19 percent of Americans believe that Jews have a significant contribution on Wall Street. Fifteen percent of Americans, the other hand, attested that Jews engage in shady business practices in order to earn means of livelihood. The research also stipulates that the Jewish community has brought an imperative effect on social and cultural views in America. According to ABC News reports, Arab Americans are postulated to have a larger percentage of prejudice against Jewish community as compared to Americans.
Hate Crimes
Discrimination against Jews had a lot of social and legal consequences on the American society and across the world in general. Violent attacks, and hate crimes directed towards the Jewish community led to the passage of 41 legislatures and the federal Hate Crimes Statistics Act. Anti-Semitism had penetrated even in the law enforcement authorities. Police forces were bias in arresting individuals and imposed longer jail terms to individuals of Jewish religion. According to ADL statistics, there were around 9,600 reported incidents concerning anti-Semitism. Out of the aforementioned cases, 6,400 cases were connected to bombings, vandalism, arsons, and cemetery desecrations. In 1994, the reported cases rose up to 2,000 though declined in the subsequent years. Later in 1996, only 13 percent of 8,700 hate crimes were connected with anti-Semitism incidents. Statistical data from Anti-Defamation League indicated fluctuating though steady amount of cases of anti-Semitism in the United States. For instance, there were 1,030 cases reported in 2002, 1,020 in 2006, and 1050 in 2008.
Anti-Semitism Organizations
There are quite a number of anti-Semitism organizations across the United States. Some of these organizations are considered to be radical while others are non-radical though preaches anti-Semitism. For instance, various Christian identity churches, the Ku Klux Klan, the Aryan- White Resistance, and the American Nazis among others from anti-Semitism organizations. Some Fundamentalist churches like the Westboro Baptist Church have also been connected with anti-Semitism ideologies. These anti-Semitism organizations and groups have their members tattooed with signs like SS and swastikas. Their discrimination against Jewish community is delineated through protests, and demonstration disseminating anti-Semitism messages.
Anti-Semitism activities have intensified among various anti-Semitism organizations over the years. This was evident from the rising number of Ku Klux Klan membership from 1,500 to 11,500 in 1979. In 1980’s, some Ku Klux Klan members formed allies with neo-Nazi organizations such as the Aryan Nations. In 1990’s anti-Semitism organization activities intensified, leading to the formation of militias. According to reports, these hate organization members engaged in violent activities such as vandalism, and attacks in order to accomplish their hate objectives. Anti-Semitism actions and the spread of hatred message against Jews led to the formation of Jewish organizations aimed at protecting their rights and freedoms.
Jewish Organizations
In the beginning of the 20th century, the Jewish community was discriminated in various aspects of society. For instance, discrimination in employment opportunities, access to the resort and residential areas, education institutions, and organizations’ memberships are some areas where discrimination was intense. As a result, there were numerous national organizations formed in order to protect the Jewish community and subsequent acceptance in the American society. One of the Jewish organizations in the United States was the American Jewish Committee, formed in 1906. This organization was formed by Western Europe elite Jews aimed at protecting Jews from discriminatory acts of the anti-Semitism groups across the world. In 1922, another national organization, American Jewish Congress, was formed.
Scapegoat-Successful People
Jewish community among Americans has faced segregation and discrimination in various social and political fields. Anti-Semitism acts have been, largely, delineated at times of war, and economic depression. Jews form one of the minority groups in the United States that have, over the years, enjoyed a wide range of rights and freedoms. Jewish was used as scapegoats during the World War I as a result of anti-Semitism ideologies. In 1915, the lynching of a famous Jewish businessman, Leo Frank in Atlanta caused a lot of negative reactions among the Jewish community. Leo Frank’s death sentence was converted into life imprisonment, after an accusation of murder, due to lack of evidence. He was later kidnapped from jail and lynched by an angry mob.
As a result of Leo’s lynching, Sigmund Livingston formed the Anti-Defamation League with an objective of terminating discriminatory practices against the Jews. At the same time, lynching of Leo Frank stirred the re-emergence of the Ku Klux Klan leading to a membership of four million sympathizers. In 1916, Louis Brandeis was nominated to the Supreme Court by the president, Woodrow Wilson. As the first nominated Jew, Louis endured bitter talks from his colleagues in the court.
Islamism
The nation of Islam is considered to hold ardent anti-Semitism ideologies. Islam anti-Semitism attitudes were evident throughout 1993 and 1994 through statements made by Louis Farrakhan, an Islam minister. Islam hatred towards the Jewish community was aggravated by Louis Farrakhan deputy, Khalid Abdul, when he delivered a speech at Kean College. His statements were inclined towards anti-white, homophobic, and virulent anti-Semitism tone. According to research findings, Nation of Islam is considered to hold anti-Semitism beliefs. The Nation of Islam is stated to have, differently, interpreted the Holocaust and exaggerated the role played by Jews during the African slave trade. According to the Nation of Islam, there are various elements associated with the Jewish community. For instance, Jews are accountable for labor exploitation among blacks, slavery, alcohol and drug sales, and a bias control of the economy.
Lessening of Anti-Semitism
The wide spread of anti-Semitism across the world, especially in the United States precipitated measures and strategies in order to reduce and end the anti-Semitism ideologies. Discrimination against Jews in universities and other education institution was rampant, leading to a decline of Jewish enrollment in universities. In the 1920’s, the United States were already embarking on various projects of lessening ant-Semitism through the civil rights movements and political activists. Lessening of anti-Semitism took place at every social, economic, and political aspect in order to mitigate its effects. According to some political activists, anti-Semitism would have been lessened through the establishment of a Palestine homeland for the Jewish community. On the contrary, certain political figures were opposed to such ideas, claiming that it would deteriorate the situation. Anti-Semitism ideologies and attitudes began to dissipate after the World War II, when civil rights activists’ organization's activities became rampant in the United States. Racial segregation was highly prohibited through implementation of policies and regulations.
Jews in Politics
During the first wave of Jewish migration, most Jews were politically conservative as a result of their minority status. Some of the elite Jews, immigrants in American had a quite an experience in the political arena. Emergence of Jews into leadership positions was observed in early 20th century after the formation of various unions that played a center role in politics. In 1936, most Jews joined the Democratic Party in the United States politics. In the recent times, Jews have a significant impact on the economic and political practices in the United States. According to the 2008 presidential election in the United States, it is reported that 78 percent of Jews voted for Barack Obama against 21 percent for John McCain. This, clearly, indicates the political power Jews possess in the democratic process. A large percent of Jews in the United States object the recent marijuana policy. Another case where Jews have shown imperative voting powers includes the ban on gay marriage in California that was rejected by 78 percent of Jewish voters.
In the United States, Jews have occupied higher leadership positions enabling them to have an upper hand in the country’s decision making process. Some influential Jewish political leaders include Brian Schatz, an elected Hawaii senator, Ben Bernanke, the 14th chairperson of the United States Federal Reserve among others. Emergence of Jews in high political leadership positions has been as a result of ardent campaigns against anti-Semitism beliefs and increased Jewish political influence. According to writing by Bryant, in 1936, 42 percent of doctors and 48 percent of lawyers in Berlin were Jews . The great inflation had an insignificant adverse effect on Jews in Germany. Most Jews remained wealthy as the larger country’s population starved as a result of the depression.
Conclusion
In conclusion, in the recent times, Jews are postulated to control a big share of wealth in the United States. On the contrary, anti-Semitism views and beliefs have dissipated as a result of diverse cultural norms across the world. Improved technology and increased social interactions have also made people acknowledge and understand a wide range of cultural beliefs around the globe. Jews population in America is estimated to be 2 percent of the entire Americas population. A large proportion of Jews have dominated business activities, financial institutions, political positions and various higher positions in the United States. The Federal Government is stated to be under Jewish control and also take a substantial percent in the military forces. The recent appointment of Jack Lew, by President Obama, as chief of staff exhibits ardent participation of Jews in politics.
Works Cited
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Dinnerstein, Leonard . Antisemitism in America. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994.
Gurock, Jeffry S. Anti-Semitism in America, Volume 6. New York: Taylor & Francis, 1998.
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