Why I Will Never Be Ashamed Of Being Jewish | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why I Will Never Be Ashamed Of Being Jewish

Hate has no home here.

140
Why I Will Never Be Ashamed Of Being Jewish
NBC News

When I was 12, I started practicing for my bat mitzvah. When I was 12, I started to become more involved with my Judaism. And when I was 13, I became an official woman of my Jewish community, and from that moment on, I knew I would be a proud Jewish girl, but I didn't know that I was going to become a Jewish leader.

As I turned 15, as a freshman in high school, I was introduced to a Jewish youth group. I was hesitant at first, but I grew accustomed to the people in my chapter and soon enough, the region. The love I felt, being surrounded by Jewish teens a few times a month was empowering. I felt on top of the world. I would talk all day to my non-Jewish friends about how much fun my youth group was and how I felt so sorry for them because they couldn't join. (A few of my friends wanted to convert, but that's not the point.) Learning about my Jewish heritage bloomed from a young age and I will hold that passion close to my heart forever.

In my junior year of high school, I took a "Holocaust & Genocides" course. I was the youngest in the class and the one who really paid attention. (Everyone else was a senior. I know how that goes now.) We would learn about Hitler and the Nazis and watch films about the Holocaust. It was so devastating to me, but also empowering because there I was, a JEWISH girl, watching a documentary about how the Nazis were trying to exterminate us all. Jokes on you. We made it. And I prayed to myself that it would never happen again. And I didn't understand why it would. I didn't understand what made the Jewish people so repulsive to others.

It's 2017. Nazis are in the streets yelling, "Jews will not replace us." My worst fear is coming true. After seeing the Vice documentary, "Charlottesville: Race and Terror," I was shocked to my core. How could people be so hateful to everyone other than whites? How could everyone not see this coming when Donald Trump was elected president? And to make matters worse, HE BASICALLY SIDED with the KKK, the Nazis, and the white supremacists. How could the president, THE MAN LEADING THIS COUNTRY, think this is okay?

This country is built off of freedom and the belief that all men are created equal. So, why are blacks excluded from this? Why are Jews excluded from this? Gays? Hispanics? Everyone who is not a white, Christian man? What makes you so different from us that you want to massacre everyone else out of America? Nothing. When you take away everything else and leave our bones and blood, we are the same. We are humans. There is no home for hate here in America, there can't be.

This is the land of the free. And I don't know what is going to happen in the near future, but we need to come together as a country and prevent these racist, sick people from wanting to destroy our lives. They think destroying everyone else who isn't white and Christian will make their lives better.

That is not okay. We can't let this happen again. So, Mr. Trump, if you agree even slightly that what these hate groups are doing is okay, then you need to resign from your position in the oval office and let someone who cares about morals and equality take your seat. Nobody needs or wants a racist man in the white house, leading our country.

With all of that being said, I will NEVER be ashamed of being a Jewish girl. Nobody will tell me that I am at a lower standard than them just because of my religion. I will stand proudly with other minorities and stand up for what's right. And this isn't right. None of this is right.

Hate has NO HOME here.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1129
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

689
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199808
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20635
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments