Last week I was walking in Manhattan going from one meeting to the next, when I heard a voice chanting the words "dirty Jew" at me. As I turned around to see who had said them, I was slightly surprised to see a young boy, a Caucasian, of about 11 or 12 years of age. What was even more astonishing was that his mother was standing 
...I think it is safe to say that we are in big trouble.
right behind him, apparently not caring what her son was saying, not rebuking him in any way or even apologizing to me on his behalf.
...I think it is safe to say that we are in big trouble.
right behind him, apparently not caring what her son was saying, not rebuking him in any way or even apologizing to me on his behalf.Living in the 21st century, where it is all about equality and tolerance, about acceptance and love for every fellow human being, no matter what their age, race, religion, background or anything else that might make them different from you, had me mistakenly thinking that the world is improving. Not any more. Not in practice.
.
The fact that this mother let her son say what he said, and did not reprimand him, makes me wonder what this new generation is being taught. When an 11-year old boy has no clue about tolerance and respect for another, and thinks that calling someone "dirty Jew" is acceptable or even cool, then I think it is safe to say that we are in big trouble.
The fact that this mother let her son say what he said, and did not reprimand him, makes me wonder what this new generation is being taught. When an 11-year old boy has no clue about tolerance and respect for another, and thinks that calling someone "dirty Jew" is acceptable or even cool, then I think it is safe to say that we are in big trouble.
Anti-Semitism isn't the only problem, although it is a significant one. In truth, and simply put, the crux of the problem is the lack of acceptance of another human being for whatever reason. The reasons are unjustified and irrelevant. No matter what our differences may be, and even at the risk of sounding overly naive, I proporse that we can and must overlook them for the sake of living in peace.
Being a sixth-generation American, I can note with pride that my family has had the pleasure and honor of living in this blessed country for the past 130 years. I would like to think that diverse people can continue to reside in this great nation, happily and peacefully.
It is the job of parents everywhere to educate their children to become accepting and respecting individuals. We must teach our youth how to love and care for their fellow human beings, for the country they live in and the planet they live on. We must instruct our future leaders and world inhabitants how to live in harmony among themselves. It is the only way to survive.