Letter: Tolerating stereotypes allows discrimination to flourish
Anti-Semitism is certainly not a new phenomenon, and current headlines emphasize that anti-Semitism is very much a current event. From the kosher supermarket in Paris to the synagogue shooting in Denmark, anti-Semitism is not a historical reference but a current movement. Last summer, the Anti-Defamation League conducted a global survey of anti-Semitism, involving 102 countries and territories and interviews with over 53,000 people. Sadly, the survey found that 26 percent of the world’s population still harbors anti-Semitic attitudes — that’s 1.09 billion people.
As French Prime Minister Manuel Valls powerfully said in a speech to the French National Assembly, “History has shown us that a reawakening of anti-Semitism is the symptom of a crisis of democracy.” Hate is powerful and rocks the foundation of our communal belief in the pursuit of equality and justice.
Anti-Semitism is certainly not only a European problem. It is an issue in the United States — as we saw in the horrific shooting at the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park, Kansas, last year, for example. Anti-Semitism is unfortunately a New Orleans problem, as well.
This Mardi Gras, on the St. Charles Avenue parade route in New Orleans, amidst the revelry and joy of celebration was an anti-Semitic sign that read “Don’t be a Mardi Jew. Throw me something mister.”Someone used a hateful stereotype about Jews in a public plea for Mardi Gras throws. This sign in the midst of a traditional and well-traveled parade route demonstrated that anti-Semitism exists with a strong heartbeat in our community.
more: http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com/opinion/11758550-123/letter-tolerating-stereotypes-allows-discrimination
[hr]
This is just sad. New Orleans is such a neat place, but there is a vein of anti-Semitism which is very prevalent there.
