Brodkin Jewish

Karen Brodkin’s article titled “How Jews Became White Folks: and What That Says about Race in America” tells the story of how people of Jewish decent went from living in an anti-Semitism America in the 1920’s and 1930’s to now when Jewish people are considered white. Back in the! 920’s and 30’s people like Madison Grant published books like his “The Passing of the Great Race”, which described Jews and other races inferior to whites. However, members of the Jewish community were continually taking prestigious positions in the community but where limited and confined to just a few middle class occupations.
Eventually Jews became more and more prominent until they where associated with being white. After World War II there were countless jobs available enabling the Jewish community to climb the social ladder and accomplish a feat that many minority groups strive to do? That is social mobility or changing social class. Jewish people are a community that pride themselves on hard work and showed this work in their ability to reach a higher social class. As Jews became a higher class they slipped into the white category.
It is wrong for people of other races to be treated so horribly in this country that believes in equality and freedom. To live in a country where there were constant bombardments of against your race, gender, or in this case religion is something that shouldn’t happen. Books were constantly being published to keep other minority groups down and keep whites privileged but the Jewish community rose up and beat the system. They turned their social status around and became prominent leaders in May communities.
Why did whites feel the need to label Jews as a group unworthy of their presence and lesser of a person? During this time many immigrants were coming in from Europe and were all looking to fit into society and make money. It’s the American dream right? But when these people reached America they faced racial and religious hatred by a group of privileged individuals that felt threatened by the new company. That is why once Jews made their mark they became accepted in America’s society.