Draw the Line: Are Jews White?
In light of Thursday night's upcoming pannel and discussion even at NMAJH "Jewish Peoplehood in the 21st Century and Beyond," we thought it'd be a good time to look at the Draw the Line question, "Are Jews White?"
This issue has had some interesting results, with almost a third of the visitors squarely in the "Um" category. The question is perplexing indeed, because it does not just ask one to categorize Jews by superficial skin colors, but to, in some sense, define what Jewish identity is. Are Jews a distinct ethnic group? Is it a religion? Is it a culture?
Over 385 visitors who have responded to this issue. Here is what the results look like so far:
YES - 10%
NO - 62%
UM - 28%
Here are some thoughts from our visitors:
YES
"Sometimes they are and sometimes they aren't but they usually are." -Maddie, Minneapolis, MN
"I only See whit (sic.) Jews." - Frank, FL
NO
"Religion is not race. Jews come in many different shades!" Susan, Chelmsford
"In Hebrew school we even had a black Jew from Ethiopia come and talk to us about her jouney from Ethiopia to Israel. She was barely accepted in society. Before that, I would have said yes." -Adam, Syosset, NY
UM
"Sometimes no -- Ethiopia for instance -- usually yes. Does it matter except as it influences prejudice?" - Leslee, Chicago IL
"Why do we care? Color does not matter. Jews are Jews." -D. Minneapolis, MN
What are your thoughts? Please share them! And if you found this post interesting, and if you're near Philly, please come on Thursday! The event is sure to be an interesting and thought-provoking experience. It will be held at NMAJH at 6:00. There will be a discussion pannel, break out groups, and refreshments.
Looking for more information? Try these articles, which have been selected for their diversity of opinions:
Jewgenics
Growing up Latino and Jewish
Journey From a Chinese Orphanage to a Jewish Rite of Passage
This issue has had some interesting results, with almost a third of the visitors squarely in the "Um" category. The question is perplexing indeed, because it does not just ask one to categorize Jews by superficial skin colors, but to, in some sense, define what Jewish identity is. Are Jews a distinct ethnic group? Is it a religion? Is it a culture?
Over 385 visitors who have responded to this issue. Here is what the results look like so far:
YES - 10%
NO - 62%
UM - 28%
Here are some thoughts from our visitors:
YES
"Sometimes they are and sometimes they aren't but they usually are." -Maddie, Minneapolis, MN
"I only See whit (sic.) Jews." - Frank, FL
NO
"Religion is not race. Jews come in many different shades!" Susan, Chelmsford
"In Hebrew school we even had a black Jew from Ethiopia come and talk to us about her jouney from Ethiopia to Israel. She was barely accepted in society. Before that, I would have said yes." -Adam, Syosset, NY
UM
"Sometimes no -- Ethiopia for instance -- usually yes. Does it matter except as it influences prejudice?" - Leslee, Chicago IL
"Why do we care? Color does not matter. Jews are Jews." -D. Minneapolis, MN
What are your thoughts? Please share them! And if you found this post interesting, and if you're near Philly, please come on Thursday! The event is sure to be an interesting and thought-provoking experience. It will be held at NMAJH at 6:00. There will be a discussion pannel, break out groups, and refreshments.
Looking for more information? Try these articles, which have been selected for their diversity of opinions:
Jewgenics
Growing up Latino and Jewish
Journey From a Chinese Orphanage to a Jewish Rite of Passage
posted by Hannah Lau at
10:31 AM
1 Comments:
I think the questions begs for a more interpretive answer. It's not so much whether Jews are white on the outside, but what is the "color" on the inside.
Having grown up as a "white" Jewish woman in the south, surrounded by Christian whites and blacks, I didn't feel the same kind of white on the inside, and I couldn't be black from the outside. But I was definitely other.
Even though I mark Caucasian on forms, I always feel it would be a more authentic answer to mark Other. Being Jewish has its own "color" that isn't indicative of skin tone.
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