It seems that through out all historical eras, except arguably in the modern day, Jews have been seen as outsiders, or even their own race. Ever since Jews started to migrate from their European homes in the 18th century, they have been seen as outsiders in their new towns. While they learned new languages, new cultures, and new customs, there was a slight segregation between Jews and everyone else. In chapter 4 of Jewish Roots in Southern Soil, peddling is described as the only way Jews could migrate to a new place and still support themselves. This occupation was seen negatively by others, even though it was one that made Jews interact with many people, as they only sold to non-Jews. Ironically, the same thing that made it possible for Jews to migrate to the South also made it difficult for them to gain a respectable and equivalent status to non-Jews.
Similarly, even in later years during the Civil Rights era, Jews felt that when Blacks were granted rights, their own “race” would be threatened, as outlined in chapters 6 and 8 in Jewish Roots in Southern Soil. There is a lot of focus around Jews as a separate race, even in modern discourse, but from a historical standpoint, it is often discussed as a negative thing, rather than a positive thing. Historically, the Jewish race was a segregated group no matter where they migrated, and they were never fully accepted into society in various degrees, especially in the American South. In my personal experience, being referred to as the Jewish race never seemed like a bad thing, as I was always taught that being Jewish is something to be proud of. Obviously Judaism is not accepted by all people, but it is interesting to look at the patterns in history that regardless of migrations, led to continuous patterns of inferiority.
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AuthorBethanie Tabachnik ArchivesCategories |