Anti-Semitism

[MURKY]

I am confused with this debate I am taking part in. Would someone suggest answers for these questions...there seems alot about it in the news so...

How do people, especiialy young people learn to be anti-semetic today?

Does anti-semitism still exist today?

Thankyou.

[andy hughes]

Anti-semitism today is spread in the way that all prejudices are spread - from the older generation to the younger, by word of mouth. Anti-semitism is sadly alive and well - attacks on Jewish people are on the increase.

The age-old hatred and distrust which crops up even in Shakespeare's plays, is rooted in the notion that Jews control financial systems, and are therefore at the root of financial problems in modern economies. That's a very broad generalised view, but the method of spreading prejudice against a race or creed is done by example - if your parents didn't hate Jews, chances are you and your children won't either.

[DumBlonde]

I agree that prejudices are learned but what I don't understand is why people had these notions in the first place?

Where did the idea that Jews control financial systems come from?

[JohnPPotts]

Jews were seen to control the financial system since in the Middle Ages the church took seriously the laws (laid down in the Old Testament) on usury (lending money at interest) and so forbade Christians to do so. The Jews were not so barred (though they didn't lend to other Jews at interest) and as they were barred from many professions because of their religion, it tended to be a sector dominated by them. Since Medieval Kings were often short of money they would occassionally borrow from the Jews and then expel them instead of paying the money back, declaring them money-grubbing Christ-killers.

[woofgang]

Tery pratchett co-wrote a book called "science of discworld 2 the globe" which talks about prejudice, religion and how ideas are spread by things called "memes" and memeplexes" which might be worth a look

[Romeo]

Racism appears in any country where a 'foreign' race have come to settle.  Racism in Britain today tends more towards black and Asian people, as they can be easily distinguished from white people, but there is still prejudice against Jews too.  I have actually seen Nazi graffiti sprayed on Jewish graveyards. This is the action of people who just want someone to target and hate.  Football thugs and tribal gangs.  If there weren't any Jews (or black or Asian people) in this country, they would find someone else.  Finding a group to target as an enemy helps certain people to cope with their own insecurity.

[Guinevere]

I agree with Romeo.  We covered this a bit at University where it was explained that racism relies on the theory of 'otherness' where you give yourself/your religion/race etc all the good qualities and label someone 'other' with all the bad qualities, and therefore can blame everything that goes wrong on them.  It's an incredibly simplistic way of thinking, and the scary thing is people don't even realise they are doing it and are prejudiced.

[Oneeyedvic]

Try reading Lord of the Flies by William Goldberg - similar theories - though a work of fiction.

When I first went out with my (now) wife around 7 years ago, I told her to expect that some of her friends would not be happy with the situation (I am of asian origin). She told me not to be stupid, and her friends wouldn't be that stupid.

Suffice to say two of her friends stopped talking to her (one who had been her mate for over 20 years).

Not every one who is racist has shaven heads and tattoed knuckles.