Today in my new bio class we were taking about melanocytes and skin color and races and migration, etc. So my new teacher (who I think is Jewish, but I'm not sure) points me out in class & says I have "a typical Jewish phenotype." I don't know what this mean aside from the fact that I have dark eyes & hair (I am 1/2 from Italian descent), although my hair is pretty straight & my skin is pretty fair.
I have nothing against Jewish people but somehow I felt really embarrassed & everyone looked at me.
Am I wrong or was he wrong to say this? Thank you.
2006-09-02 11:00:25 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
not today it was yesterday sorry
2006-09-02 11:02:03 · update #1
i'm catholic sort of atheist lol
2006-09-02 11:03:50 · update #2
are you jewish? lol..
2006-09-02 11:03:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Been a while since biology class but I never knew there was "Jewish phenotype". Today Jew's don't really have any particular characteristics - and in biblical times they were basically the same as Arabs. In Anthropology even basically we were taught there was no such thing as race as you could line up all the people in the world according to characteristics and there would be no real divisions - just a steady gradient.
As far as why he would single out someone in the class - well at first it seems innocent but the more you think about it the more is seems not right. Did he point out other students as typical Native Americans, or Africans?. Yea something isn't right here.
2006-09-02 13:39:27 · answer #2 · answered by Sage Bluestorm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't get too upset about a comment like that. Jews, like Italians, Irish and the like have distinct features, as well as mannerisms, etc. I am Jewish, and I think I look it. I can often tell a person's ethnicity from their features.
It's funny that you are 1/2 Italian, as Jews and Italians seem to share similar features and mannerisms.
I wouldn't be embarrassed about it. The next time everyone is looking at you, stick your tongue out at em! It works, believe me.
Your teacher didn't do anything “wrong" ethically, but he was "wrong" in guessing your phenotype. He also sounds like a pompous ***.
2006-09-02 11:15:32 · answer #3 · answered by fastmusiclabel1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you feel upset, then that is your right and if you wish to pursue it, you could speak with your teacher and ask to not be pointed out or profiled as something you may or may not be. However, it seems that he simply may have been pointing out physical attributes that would typically belong to someone of Jewish descent. If it were me, I'd take it in stride and not worry if people think what my ancestry is, but what people see today.
2006-09-02 11:07:49 · answer #4 · answered by SoCalBeachGal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it was extremely insensitive and rude of him. Especially given the fact that you believe him to be Jewish. I'm a teacher and I try very hard not to point out students' differences. It's very embarrassing to be singled out for being different.
2006-09-02 11:46:35 · answer #5 · answered by mochasister 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It wasn't a slur, it was a discription of a set of commonly occurring features among jewish people.
I believe you were upset simply by having attention called to you for a reason you didn't understand.
2006-09-02 11:04:54 · answer #6 · answered by IndyT- For Da Ben Dan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, he should not have said it.. that is stereotyping and we know how bad that is. At the very least he should have asked you about your ancestry, and, if he IS Jewish, should have used HIMSELF as an example..
This is the kind of thing that gets lawsuits started, if someone is overly sensitive..
2006-09-02 11:07:13 · answer #7 · answered by chuckufarley2a 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
HE WAS WRONG. he should keep his f--king personal opinions to himself and use a picture in a book to describe what he is teaching. not a member of the class. it was very politically incorrect and you should report this idiot. I am shocked he would do this in this day and age. how insensitive can you get?
you should have retorted that he was a typical neanderthal type. that would shut him up. what a clod!
2006-09-02 11:19:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Umm, I think he was just pointing out how some people look from different decents. I wouldn't be upset, whats the big deal.
2006-09-02 11:04:54 · answer #9 · answered by Hicktown girl66 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
he was wrong to say this. he had no right to say that and bring everyones attention to u.
2006-09-02 11:14:15 · answer #10 · answered by god_of_the_accursed 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it was a compliment.
2006-09-02 11:04:28 · answer #11 · answered by SEOplanNOW.com 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋