As I sit here reading Ben's post from Boston, I am listening to the Roots album, The Tipping Point. Though it was apropos. Yahsar koach on their amazing work!
It is a season of Roots as we approach Tu B'Shvat. And I am often reminded of mine...just last week a guy named John Basior emailed me (found me on the internet) and asked if we are related. In fact we are, we figured out - we are 3rd cousins, once removed. And he has a son with the same name as me...and I thought I was the only one!
I talked to my grandparents just today too. They remind me of my roots. I also had a good conversation with a friend this morning about my own personal racism roots. I have some deep ones. What do you guys think about the whiteness of ashkenazi Jews in America? Most of us pass for white...are we white? Certainly we have some/a ton of non-whiteness in our history...
Would love to hear your thoughts...
D in SEA
2 comments:
well - since you're asking questions - i wrote a big thesis a few years ago that talks about this some. I still have a lot to learn about geneology of Ashkenazi Jews but I do know that many of the Ashkenazi Jews can certainly pass for white if they aren't and gain all of the same privileges that white people do. I think many of them also tone down their "Jewyness" - perhaps as part of the bargain.
My thesis was actually on comedians and one of the the arguments I made about why Jews are so popular as comedians in the U.S. is that they have a particular insider/outsider status.
Look at someone like Seinfeld or even Larry David. On the surface they appear to be white to most of America (you wouldn't believe how many Americans are surprised to find out that Seinfeld is Jewish) and unless they open their mouths and say something no one thinks any differently about them. But Jerry and Larry don't see themselves as "insiders" and in fact - while being welcomed into white america still keep at arms length in their hearts and minds and maintain an outsiders perspective.
This is what offers them an incredible position for their insightful comedy. They have box row seats to life as a privileged white American and still they are skeptical and look critically upon mainstream culture as if an outsider looking in.
I think that many of us can relate to that insider/outsider perspective. Does that even address your question?
It does address my question. Interesting paper, I would guess...I am thinking about it in terms of my kippah and tzitzit wearing these days. I am actually looking to identitfy as JEWISH as opposed to white...not sure how it shows and appears to others though. Wish I could do a survey monkey!
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