Article by Naomi Moryosef ('24)
Anti-semitism rages throughout America and seems to push Jews deeper and deeper into the ground, making us wonder if it is the United State’s turn to kick us out of the country. From rallies in the snowy east to gunshots near the breezy western coasts, many Jewish people fear what may happen if they are in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people. Even a city as serene as San Diego was hit by this racial epidemic that will not halt until the entirety of the Jewish nation is wiped off the face of the Earth.
In the first six months of 2019, there were said to be 780 attacks against Jews. In 2018, there were 1,879 in total. Security guards can be seen at every synagogue, kippot are hidden in pockets when in public, and gold Stars of David are tucked beneath clothing. Jews are hiding who they are to be safe, for the outside world believes that they are what is unsafe. With attacks against them surging, Jews are beginning to feel hatred towards these anti-semitic people; however, some of the most famous men and women in the entertainment industry were anti-semites, themselves. Does that automatically mean Jews should hate them? No, it does not.
Does that automatically mean Jews should hate them? No, it does not.
There are quite a few prominent figures in the world when it comes to the arts, and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel is certainly one of them. Aside from a fashion icon, she was also a Nazi agent during World War II, working as a German spy in exchange for help with business affairs. She seemingly had no issue with having relationships with Nazi men and working for them, as well. Plenty of Jews, however, have been seen wearing Chanel merchandise, showing no ill feelings towards it.
Walt Disney was also a well known debatably anti-semitic celebrity. Although he was never open about it, some people have testified that he went to a couple of pro-Nazi campaigns. Others claim that he merely engaged with anti-semitic people. The Sherman brothers, two Jewish men who wrote the music for some of the most beloved Disney movies, declared that Walt Disney was certainly not an anti-semite.
Roald Dahl, author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda was also anti-semitic. “There is a trait in the Jewish character that does provoke animosity,” Dahl said in a 1983 interview justifying the Holocaust, "I mean, there’s always a reason why anti-anything crops up anywhere; even a stinker like Hitler didn’t just pick on them for no reason."In 1990 he declared, “I am certainly anti-Israel, and I have become anti-Semitic." Dahl's dark side is of stark contrast to his whimsical stories that stand as a sort of right of passage for children.
These characters’ works are beloved, but their pasts are certainly controversial. However, everyone has done things that may not represent their capabilities. There are some people who may cheat or steal because it is necessary and yet are still great people. Everyone makes mistakes and has set-backs in life, but the views people have can tell others who they are and what matters to them. Making a mistake is very different from choosing what to hold as truth. They chose to believe that Jews were horrible people; however, if people forget who started the enterprise or company and focus on what it created in the world, they should be able to buy Chanel products, watch Disney movies, and read James and the Giant Peach. Ultimately, if what was created provides joy and happiness, who it was initially created by is irrelevant.
Ultimately, if what was created provides joy and happiness, who it was initially created by is irrelevant.
These things were not started because of hatred towards Jews but were created because a person pursued their passion and shared it with the world. It is easy to look at everything from a far off perspective and judge it based on how much good and bad is seen, but there are two sides to everything. The one thing that truly matters is not who the creator was but why they created their famous works. They would not have become famous had they created something discriminatory or evil, but since they created good, they are remembered and cherished.
Anti-semitism is hard to deal with because it is everywhere and can interfere with the way we look at people. There are times when hate is okay because of the hurt that was caused to a person and their people, but there are also times when those people have to look at what the intentions of the hated person actually were. Although Jews have been hurt, it is not their turn to hurt the people around them and think that they deserve respect. It is both on the Jews and the non-Jews to change the world’s hate. Yes, we can acknowledge animosity. But ultimately, let’s enjoy what the world has to offer.
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