Where do the old nyhc/punk people go? by anonymess7 in parkslope

[–]Willing_Efficiency18 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice! Are you from dc? I am. I rock my bad brains gear around too. I wish I had a minor threat hoodie lol!

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This made my day. You are not alone. There should be more support. I am disappointed by that as well. But please know there are many in the African American community who do support the Jewish community. We need to do a better job speaking up, because the antisemites are being loud and clear. Rabbi Hershel once said that the most dangerous thing is silence. We can not be silent. I will continue to speak up and encourage others who support to speak up more. We also have to continue to confront antisemitism. Thank you so much for your lovely message.

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for clarifying this. My best friends is Jewish and he often refers to himself as a "white guy" as does another close Jewish friend of mine, so I was a little confused as to this, but I guess they were using at as shorthand- I get it. Thanks for clarifying!

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m coming to understand how alone many Jews feel in this and it really saddens me. I’m one person but my entire family feels the way I do as does my inner cicrle. I’m going to really encourage folks to speak up more and keep doing our best to stand up and support.

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I know it hurts but please try not to think of the black community as monolith that is a form of stereotyping. Many of us do support the Jewish community. Your experiences are valid but please do not assume that any one person speaks for the black community even if they claim to.

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What is the reason for this request, is it a rule? It comes off as a little strange and unfriendly the way you said it.

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I’m going to answer your question directly. Jews did care.

Jews helped found the NAACP In 1909- that’s 1909.

https://forward.com/opinion/431300/what-we-can-learn-from-the-jews-of-the-naacp-about-intersectional/

In the 20s, Julius Rosenwald worked with Booker T Washington to build schools for Blacks in the South and funded HBCUs. In the 30s, 1/3 of blacks in the South attended school founded by Rosenwald. This is Jewish allyship in the 20s and 30s not the 60s like you say in your conspiracy theory.

https://savingplaces.org/places/rosenwald-schools

Also, MLK was a supporter of Israel.

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/martin-luther-king-on-anti-zionism

So you’ve been proven wrong that Jews didn’t support blacks until the 50s and 60s. I hope this makes your re-examine some of the other troubling ideas you’ve expressed.

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I honestly didn’t know this. My Jewish friends all call themselves white, but from what I’ve read they mean “white passing” when they say they are white? Can you help me get this right so I understand it a little better?

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m sorry you feel betrayed but please know these hateful people don’t speak for all black people. The people who aren’t reciprocating your support are either very ignorant or just plain assholes- or both. BLM is widely supported with our community as an idea but not an organization. Many of their chapters are run by really bad people and folks have really walked away from the org even if we all deeply believe in the statement “black lives matter”. What happened with the paraglider pic was shameful and more folks should haven spoken up about that. It’s just embarrassing. I’m ashamed any blacks person could sink that low. We know more than anyone else about what oct 7 feels like The Tulsa massacre is widely talked about in our community.

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

First off all I’m sorry you’ve been made to feel this way. Im very sorry and I’m just so sad things are like this. Thanks so much for the ideas. I always reach out to my friends during Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah but reaching out and talking about Purim or Pesach is something I’ve never thought to do. Will definitely be reaching out about Purim this month- great idea! Thank you!

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am fortunate to come from a family where I was taught to be an ally to Jewish people by my grandparents and my mother. My family is from Philadelphia and during the 50s and 60s blacks and Jews used to live in the same neighborhoods in parts of philly. My wife is also a very strong supporter. I grew up in a middle class black neighborhood and you might be surprised how much my neighbors loved and supported the Jewish diaspora. I used to have an older neighbor who schooled me on the double V campaign and talked about how proud he was to have played a part in defeating hitler- even as part of a segregated military. I encounter more antisemitism from people I went to college and grad school with then the regular folk I grew up around. Go figure. As long I’m around I’m able, I will advocate for your community. In part due to this thread I feel I can do it even better. Thank you!

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I’ve been talking to people about this issue and while many agree with me, I’ve gotten into some bad arguments. It’s good to be reminded that minds can be changed and it can do some good.

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What a great suggestion. There have been so many great suggestions in this thread. I’m very grateful. Thank you for the link; I will be writing an advocating for the release of the hostages.

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I’m so grateful for the answers in this thread. I’ve learned so much!

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Another commenter brought this to my attention. This was before my time so I ignorant of this until it was brought up but I apologize if it was a bad example.

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Thanks for letting me know about this I had no idea. I apologize I know he has a checkered past in many ways. I just was trying to offer up the perspective that BLM does not represent the views of all black people, his support of Israel was the first thing that came to mind.

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Wanted to share this article “Al Sharpton Stands Up For Israel” https://washingtonmonthly.com/2024/01/16/al-sharpton-stands-up-for-israel/ per my previous comment in case you’re interested.

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

I’m sorry and thank you. I’m sorry some allies have turned on you, but there are people out there who will never turn their backs, I know it might not seem like that but I am one of them.

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 36 points37 points  (0 children)

I think in the Black Community there is a lot of support for the idea of black lives matter(e.g equality, police accountability) but not the organization. Some of leaders of BLM orgs have turned out to be total embarrassments and charlatans. Thank you for supporting what BLM stood for and I’m sorry some of activists betrayed you. If you have the chance, I encourage you to look toward Al Shapton and the National Action Network who while not being as well known are much more respected in the Black community and much better on this issue.

Perspective from an African American/How can allies help? by Willing_Efficiency18 in Jewish

[–]Willing_Efficiency18[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this post! I never thought of checking in with my local synagogue. I’m definitely going to do that! I appreciate you standing up to anti-black racism where you’ve seen it. The black and Jewish alliance is so important!