deedeebythebay‘s recent posting of a writing sample by 1radicaldreamer reminded me that I promised I would post something that NSS&F had written. She wrote this just before the end of school this year, as part of the requirement to write a persuasive essay. Whereas most kids did topics like smoking, she chose something more complex (a friend of hers wrote on the situation in Darfur). It is things like this that make me real proud of my daughter. I’ll note that if you want to learn more about this subject, visit the appropriate sections of the FAQ and the Reading List. I’ll also note that this was a speech, and thus I didn’t push her to use antisemitism vs. anti-semitism (they are different things).
Anti Semitism On The RiseIn recent years there has been an increase in anti-Semitism. On a survey by A.D.L, the anti-defamination league, it was said, “A plurity of those surveyed across Europe, 43%, believe that Jews are more loyal to Israel than their own country.” That might only affect Europe, but another nation wide survey by A.D.L said, “14 Percent of Americans Hold ‘Strong’ AntiSemitic Beliefs”. Another survey throughout Europe by A.D.L said that, “Overall 29% of those surveyed across Europe say that their opinion of Jews was influenced by the actions of the State of Israel.
People who are anti-Semitic will also demonstrate their hate. A very common way to demonstrate it is, by preforming hate-crimes. Some of the more recent hate crimes, such as on the 13th of February this year. In Chicago there was a synagogue which was vandalized. This was the 4th incident since the beginning of this year in upper-Chicago. On March 9th of this year anti-Semitic graffiti found on the campus of DePaul University, coincidently DePaul university was also in upper-Chicago, which for the record, is a large area, with a large population, and very Jewish.
You might also think that anti-Semitism only affects people of an older age, and not ours. Well, that is wrong. On November 27th of 2004, neo-Nazi’s and skinhead’s put out more than 100,000 sample-cd’s at schools across the USA. Other neo-Nazi groups, such as the Aryan Nations, have fancy web-pages with impressive layouts, forums, and other things to make children want to join. These neo-Nazi roups plan activities for youth and sell merchandise, including books and even t-shirts, with re-designed Nazi symbols.
Yet, some still think that there is no difference, or that it is even getting better. Rabbi John Sherwood, who has written for the L.A. Times and Ventura Star, said that, “A lot of the reports done by organizations, such as the A.D.L, are done to make them seem needed, and there fore get donations. And that where I currently am, I have noticed no anti-Semitism.” Rabbi Sherwood is in Ventura county, a fairly small area, with a moderate Jewish population, yet in upper-Chicago, the incident at the DePaul University, was the 20th since the beginning of the year. So larger cities, or areas, such as the San Fernando Valley, and places with a larger Jewish population, such as the San Fernando Valley, there is a greater chance of there being anti-Semitism.
With all of this information, you can gather that anti-Semitism is on the rise. It is affecting people all over, of all ages. The youth has to realize that it is increasing, and that such behavior is not acceptable in a civilized society. And also that the Neo-Nazi are trying to make it seem acceptable and cool.
