1. How have Jews been affected by antisemitism?

2. What impact does antisemitism have on others?

3. What is the meaning of “scapegoat”?

4. What do people gain from “scapegoating”?

5. What is the effect of hateful images and speech?

6. Do images and words reflect existing attitudes or create them?

7. How has antisemitism changed throughout history?

8. What are some differences among religious, political and racial antisemitism?

9. Why would political or religious leaders espouse antisemitic ideas?

10. How is antisemitism similar to or different from other forms of group hatred?

1.

2.

Antisemitism was first used in 1879.  

People who resented and despised Jews used this term to describe their feelings.

During the 1800s European and American scientists were studying human beings based on their races, hence German Wilhelm Marr described Jews as an abomination destroying German society. He used the word Antisemitism.

This intellectually, biologically and physically separated the Jews from other Humans. Till today, many individuals are deeply affected by this segregation.

3.

The scapegoat is a unique term that means an individual pays for the mistakes others make.

This term is also used in the Bible. It is described through a goat with huge horns on its head. The goat is shown to be laid with the sins of different people on its horns by a Jewish priest. This goat was later sent to live alone. This ceremony was called Yom Kippur.

4.

Scapegoating is a way in which a mistake committed by a person gets intentionally or unintentionally covered up, while an innocent individual takes the blame for it.

This behavior is mostly shown by people who do not own up to their mistakes and look for others to blame when they get caught doing something terrible.

This kind of behavior is very destructive for the society. It can lead to violence and injustice.

5.

Any content that promotes violence in society is called hate speech or image.

Such actions are executed to make an individual or a group feel inferior along with this their beliefs or values are also looked down upon.

This hate content can be about any gender regardless of age.

This leads to many mental or psychological problems in a person receiving hate. They may fall into depression, paranoia, anxiety etc.  

6.

To certain extent images and words do reflect existing attitudes. But, not everyone holds the same opinion. Hence, if a single person expresses hate, resentment or despises an individual or a group of people it does not mean everyone in that society has the same point of view.

Meanwhile, this is also true that these images and words influence the thought process of a person or community. But, not everyone adopts it.

7.

Contrary to popular belief, antisemitism did not begin with Hitler. It had started in the middle ages.  

Jews in Europe were not allowed citizenship and were forced to live in ghettos.

Slowly, with time many people took a tall stand against this.  

Famous personalities who emphasized on Jewish rights were Christopher Hitchens, Pamela Geller, Clara Fraser and many more.  

After the days of Holocaust, the world leaders pledged to stop the way of any such tyranny.

8.

9.

Political or religious leaders do this to divert the attention of the general public from the real issues.

The Jews from the very beginning of Middle ages were considered to be outcasts, they were an easy target for everyone to blame and hide their own faults.

Adolf Hitler did the same. He wanted to rule over the world, hence to justify his attacks on other countries he used Antisemitic ideas.

10.

Antisemitism is quite similar to other racial discrimination's. Since both these ideas express hatred towards minorities and makes them feel inferior.  

People of America portrayed this type of resentment towards the native black people. They were treated like slaves. From education to health facilities, nothing was provided to them. It was considered forbidden to be touched by a negro or to even transfuse blood from them to a white individual.

b.   jim crow laws were enacted in northern states.