Focus on the Things We Can Do to Eliminate Prejudice, Hate and Anti-Semitism in the 21st Century

Prejudice, discrimination, and scapegoating is alive and well in the 21st century. Marshall Wong, a hate-crime coordinator said, "anti-Semitic crime is still consistently among the top four groups targeted." Perhaps the most startling discovery is the reports of anti-Semitic schoolyard squabbles. (Uranga, 2008)

Mychal Massey states, "Why do so many hate the Jews? I suspect for the same reason they hate blacks, whites, Mexicans, and everyone else who is different from them. - If they didn't hate others, they would have to be introspective and possibly hate themselves." (Massey, 2008) Those, who are choosing to hate and to teach their children to hate are closed minded people afraid of change and differences. People have various reasons for their hatred towards the Jews.

People are still judged by their religion, culture and race. Discrimination is an action that follows the thought process of being prejudice. Scapegoating is when a person blames others for something that is not their fault.

According to Rachel Uranga, a staff writer for Dailynews.com a report issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission shows that racial discrimination continues to plague schools, offices, Bible Studies groups, museums, gas stations, and public places in general. Personally a friend of mine was asked to leave" his Bible Study because his views and beliefs were different." One can't deny that anti-Semitism is still alive and well in the United States of America.. The Anti-Defamation League, which puts out an annual report based on anti-Semitic incidents, states that teens and children are increasingly spewing hate-riddled messages to their classmates in a variety of formats. (Uranga, 2008)

We are easily threatened by people who are different. The Jewish people have been persecuted since the beginning of time. Jews suggested the radically different (and highly disruptive) Jewish notions that there is one God and that humans are therefore inherently equal. These and other differences have confused, offended, frightened, and angered non-Jews everywhere." Those, who are choosing to hate and to teach their children to hate, are people, who are closed minded and unwilling to see life from any perspective but their own.

It can't really be defined why the Jews are hated. People have various reasons for their hatred towards the Jews. The Jews are used as a scapegoat and blamed for situations that are not their fault.

Stereotypical, prejudice, and discrimination will not be stopped if we stand by and choose not to take action. If everyone would start listening to each other to understand, and speak to be understood, maybe we could create a society founded in acceptance, peace and love instead of bigotry, hate and destruction. There is no doubt our world would be a safer place.

I propose that you consider starting a Cultural Master Mind Group.

What is a Cultural Master Mind Group?

A group of people from the same or different cultural, religious, and racial background who periodically meet to discuss issues pertinent to diversity.

The purpose of the group is to:

1. Teach respect for diversity as a core value in our home and schools

2. Learn as much as you can about people who are different.

3. Create an environment that welcomes diversity

4. Start a cultural and religious Mastermind Group

No one should have to be afraid to go to the Holocaust Museum, Temple, Church, Synagogue, Church, Mosque, or grocery store because of their race, religion or personal beliefs.