Antisemitism requires outrage from courageous community leaders
My heart is racing just writing this. "Even when it happens in Orlando, Florida. Even when it’s 2023," echo opinion by Mark Freid published in the Orlando Sentinel. 
When hate becomes commonplace 😞
You see, most days I try not to think about the prevalence of antisemitic incidents, despite the fact that they are happening everywhere, even right here in The City Beautiful, a community that I still believe is one of incredible compassion, inclusion and love. Yet, every week there is an incident, sometimes as brazen, overt and threatening as what happened this Labor Day weekend at Disney Springs and Altamonte Springs.
Indeed, I am not exaggerating when I say that the threat was real. And while we’re supposed to call the perpetrators neo-Nazis, I’m not actually sure what that means. An organized march by goose-stepping men wearing uniforms and carrying flags emblazoned with swastikas and shouting things like “White Power!” “Jews will not replace us!” and “We are everywhere!” sure sounds like Nazis to me. Even when it happens in Orlando, Florida. Even when it’s 2023.
And I’m scared.
I’m scared for me and my family and my community, and if I’m being honest, I don’t know what to do. I’m scared even though I know that’s exactly how they want me to feel, and I hate the fact that I’m giving them what they want.
I’m scared because I’m not the only one who doesn’t know what to do. Some local leaders speak out and shout down this abhorrent behavior that is an affront to the values of our community. They speak out, just as I’m doing now, but it doesn’t seem to have much effect. And then there are those so-called leaders who don’t speak out at all. And that is a painful truth that hurts me to the bone.
And I’m scared.
I’m scared for me and my family and my community, and if I’m being honest, I don’t know what to do. I’m scared even though I know that’s exactly how they want me to feel, and I hate the fact that I’m giving them what they want.
I’m scared because I’m not the only one who doesn’t know what to do. Some local leaders speak out and shout down this abhorrent behavior that is an affront to the values of our community. They speak out, just as I’m doing now, but it doesn’t seem to have much effect. And then there are those so-called leaders who don’t speak out at all. And that is a painful truth that hurts me to the bone.
Frankly, I’m afraid that some don’t speak out because they’ve decided that it’s politically disadvantageous for them to speak out. Against Nazis. Who are threatening the safety of me and my family.
It’s important to acknowledge that there are some things being done. On both the state and national level, legislation has been proposed and passed that broadens the definition of and increases the penalties for hate crimes. I’m grateful for these efforts. But in our society, free speech is, understandably, one of our most valued and protected rights, so these laws, in my opinion, accomplish little. Our laws don’t protect us from their verbal abuse.
There are also important efforts being made by local and national organizations to educate our community about Judaism and Jewish history and culture. We believe that if people understood us better, if people knew more about our values, our beliefs and our myriad contributions to society, they’d be less likely to believe the lies and conspiracy theories. Furthermore, respected organizations like the Anti-Defamation League are publishing reports about the alarming rise in antisemitism, ensuring that people know that these are not isolated incidents. These aren’t anomalies. Every act of antisemitism, whether a public, coordinated effort like the marches in Central Florida last weekend, or the distribution of antisemitic literature placed on people’s doorsteps (which also happened last weekend in Central Florida), contributes to a larger effort to frighten and marginalize me, my family and my Jewish community. I appreciate what these organizations are doing. But someone tell me how things are improving. Tell me that I don’t need to be scared anymore.
What’s not being done is that no one is talking to us about what we should do. Should we march or not march in counterprotest? Should we confront these groups, and if so, how? Should we publicize these activities and shine a light on this frightening trend? Should we ignore them and deprive them of the attention they crave? And most importantly, for me, what should I tell my children? What would you tell yours? How would you convince them that, despite this evil that has become omnipresent in our community, they are safe, they are valued, and they should be proud of who they are? How would you explain to your smart, compassionate, peaceable children that if, or rather when, they are confronted on a street corner in Orlando or on their college campus by someone hurling the most vile, disgusting insults about their heritage, their culture and their ancestors that they should not — must not — react? How would you tell your children not to defend themselves and their people in that scenario because if they did, the worst thing possible might happen?
It’s important to acknowledge that there are some things being done. On both the state and national level, legislation has been proposed and passed that broadens the definition of and increases the penalties for hate crimes. I’m grateful for these efforts. But in our society, free speech is, understandably, one of our most valued and protected rights, so these laws, in my opinion, accomplish little. Our laws don’t protect us from their verbal abuse.
There are also important efforts being made by local and national organizations to educate our community about Judaism and Jewish history and culture. We believe that if people understood us better, if people knew more about our values, our beliefs and our myriad contributions to society, they’d be less likely to believe the lies and conspiracy theories. Furthermore, respected organizations like the Anti-Defamation League are publishing reports about the alarming rise in antisemitism, ensuring that people know that these are not isolated incidents. These aren’t anomalies. Every act of antisemitism, whether a public, coordinated effort like the marches in Central Florida last weekend, or the distribution of antisemitic literature placed on people’s doorsteps (which also happened last weekend in Central Florida), contributes to a larger effort to frighten and marginalize me, my family and my Jewish community. I appreciate what these organizations are doing. But someone tell me how things are improving. Tell me that I don’t need to be scared anymore.
What’s not being done is that no one is talking to us about what we should do. Should we march or not march in counterprotest? Should we confront these groups, and if so, how? Should we publicize these activities and shine a light on this frightening trend? Should we ignore them and deprive them of the attention they crave? And most importantly, for me, what should I tell my children? What would you tell yours? How would you convince them that, despite this evil that has become omnipresent in our community, they are safe, they are valued, and they should be proud of who they are? How would you explain to your smart, compassionate, peaceable children that if, or rather when, they are confronted on a street corner in Orlando or on their college campus by someone hurling the most vile, disgusting insults about their heritage, their culture and their ancestors that they should not — must not — react? How would you tell your children not to defend themselves and their people in that scenario because if they did, the worst thing possible might happen?
Labels: Altamonte Springs, Disney Springs, Judaism, Mark Freid, Orlando Sentinel
posted by Juliana L'Heureux | 3:07 PM
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