@maxdancona,
maxdancona wrote:
We have worked very hard to overcome the bigotry against Jews in this country. This is a very good thing and I am proud of my country for the progress that we have made.
Well, close but no cigar. While most folks do not see Jews as a threat to America (perhaps, because the perception is that Jews are too busy caring about Israel?), many still have distinct negative stereotypes about Jews that do make them social pariahs in many venues. In other words, in my opinion, there are still many Americans that see Jews as a group that may "take over" this or that (I wonder what motivates some of the hostility to me on this forum?). Or, Jews compete so well that as an example, if Jews move into an area, their kid might not have a shoe-in as class valedictorian.
Actually, if one was totally honest, one would admit that of those groups that seem to be experiencing less bigotry, of late, it might be because that respective group has found a utilitarian niche in American society. So, while few are rushing to invite a Jew to dinner, many do like when a Jewish teacher helps their reading challenged child to read at grade level, or a Jewish doctor gets their kid/wife/self healthy, or a Jewish dentist makes a nice crown, or a Jewish lawyer wins a case, or a Jewish entertainer makes one's evening more pleasurable with entertainment. It all comes down to utility in a post slavery world.
I really think that if groups did not find themselves a useful nich, there would be a lot more bigotry. But, don't be disillusioned to think that bigotry against Jews is not alive and well; it is just more covert, with less acting out. I firmly believe a vast majority of Americans do believe that Jews are "inherently" different from non-Jews. That constitutes bigotry, since no one is "inherently" different (from birth).
However, I do give Americans an A+ for effort, and I do believe that only in a majority Protestant country could Jews get a chance to "play fairly" in society.
