Stereotypes and Antisemitism
What is a stereotype? An oversimplified generalization about a person or group of people without regard for individual differences.
Is there such thing as a positive stereotype? No. Being grouped together by a label ignores individual interests and abilities.
Why are stereotypes a bad thing? People may make their mind up about you before they have even met you. You may start to believe you must fit into your group’s stereotype. They perpetuate hate, which very often leads to action against the person or group.
Why do you think people believe and perpetuate stereotypes? Write: Write down the name of a stereotyped group to which you think you belong. Why do you think you belong to that group? How did you come to believe you belonged there? Why do you think people believe and perpetuate stereotypes?
A person or group that is made to bear blame for others. What is a scapegoat? A person or group that is made to bear blame for others.
What is antisemitism? The term for hatred of Jews as a group or a concept. Hatred of Jews has existed since ancient times, and in the nineteenth century it was being influenced by modern scientific ways of thinking. The word “antisemitism” was coined in Germany by political activist Wilhelm Marr to represent this newer way of thinking. “Semitism” supposedly expressed all things Jewish, since at the time national groups were frequently defined by their language and the traditional language of Jews is Hebrew, which is a Semitic language. Of course there is no such thing as “Semitism” and all speakers of Semitic languages never belonged to the same national or ethnic groups. Antisemitism may take the form of religious teachings that proclaim the inferiority of Jews, their supposedly evil nature, or other negative ideas about Jews. It may include political efforts to isolate, oppress, or otherwise injure them. It may also include prejudiced or other stereotyped views about Jews derived from racial or other ideologies.
Summary of Antisemitism that is on my webpage. Read: Summary of Antisemitism that is on my webpage. Write down any examples of stereotypes and accusations made against the Jews (on a separate sheet of paper).
Write: In what way did Nazi ideology create a new form of antisemitism? What are some situations when people may be likely to scapegoat a group of people? Can you name groups of people in the United States who have been unfairly blamed for circumstances or events? Why do you think many people didn’t question or protest what they were being told about Jews?
Think: Is antisemitism a problem of the past, or is it still a problem today? How do ideas like this stay alive?
“Not in Our Town” from my webpage. Read: “Not in Our Town” from my webpage.
Think: What is a hate group?
Write: Why do you think some people choose to join hate groups? How are they recruited? How, if at all, is the ideology of hate groups today similar to Nazi racial ideology?
What is meant by the term “ally”? Think: What is meant by the term “ally”?
Write: What specifically did the people of Billings, Montana do to show that they were allies to those who had become targets of antisemitism and other forms of bigotry? What risks did the people of Billings take when they decided to take action against what was happening in their community? Are there other risks that people take when they decide to become allies?
Journal 2/3 Complete a journal entry reacting to something you have learned today, and/or write any questions you have.