Is the term 'Jew' derogatory?

Question

I'm sorry if this sound incredibly stupid, as I really would like to know. I'm in the deep, deep South and we don't exactly have a large Jewish community here. If 'Jew' is in fact unacceptable, what would be the proper way to speak of jewish people? Or is that it -- 'Jewish people/person?'
Again, I'm not trying to be an *** and I apologize if this comes across that way. I'm confused about the whole thing as I've heard Jew used in non-negative and negative ways. Thank you so much.

Answer 1

I am a former Jew and it all depends on how it is used. If you are calling someone Jewish because that is one way to describe his religious followings, not a problem. But if you are using it in a way that is harmful or that promotes stereotypes than it is derrogatory. A Jew is merely a person who is Jewish. There are no physical characteristics associated with the religion, no mental characteristics associated with it either.

Thanks for your question in trying to be respectful of other people.

Answer 2

I do not think that it is a derogatory because of all the textbooks and materials that have to politically correct refer to Jewish people as Jews. It might depend on how someone says Jew, with a sense to be mean and try to put them down or just normally to have no implication whatsoever.

Answer 3

It depends on how you use it. Using "Jew" is not inappropriate (in certain conversations), however, using the term "Jewish" is probably a more respectable way to address someone of that religion. Some people do take it as an offense, especially if they are Jewish/are close to someone who is. It's not terrible, but you need to be careful who you use it around. My advice, stick to "Jewish".

Answer 4

I don't think Jew is derogatory at all. I have a lot of Jewish friends who refer to themselves as being a Jew. It's just a shorter version of the word Jewish just like X-mas is a shorter version of Christmas.

Answer 5

I thought the same thing.

I think you are confused because you hear both Jewish people and bigots using the term.

But it is in the way it is said. People use the word "colored" to describe Black people but you can tell in the way it is said if it is spoken whether or not it is meant to be derogatory. Bigots will spit the word. Their language is guttural. The word is emphasized.

I always use the word Jewish in full. Can't go wrong with that. There will never be a misinterpretation if you use the full word.

Answer 6

i visit narrate. i'm Jewish, and by no skill felt this kind turning out to be up, and bypass idea stages, yet at present, i'm hesitant to be very open about being Jewish. It really sounds to me like an identical feeling. i do not understand why it truly is. I really have by no skill lived in an area the position I felt negative anti-Semitism, yet I do only not come out and scream it. i do not positioned on my Jewish rings, many times, both, except i am going to a function at schul. there is no longer some thing degrading, or detrimental about the note, except you lump us all at the same time and say all of them....only as with all crew. curiously, Judaism is extra different in words of what human beings do, note, which customs are adhered to or eschewed, than particularly a lot the different crew of human beings. we are from different countries round the globe, and our customs decision at abode, in accordance to our individual backgrounds, and at schul, in accordance to the agreed upon/dictated by rabbi/denomination customs. after all the reason you're hesitant to apply the note, itself, is because it truly is a label, and through this climate of political correctness, we are all hesitant to apply any labels for human beings, for concern that we are going to step on someone's' feet.

Answer 7

It truly depends on how someone says it.If it is meant as a reference to Jewish people, I think they'll understand. If you say it as a way to call names, they might be upset. Know what I mean? It's not necessarily derogatory.

Answer 8

I'm not sure if it is necessarily derogatory, but something people need to remember, being Jewish is their religion. No different than being Catholic, Methodist, Baptist...etc. Would you worry about referring to Catholic people? Instead of concerning yourself with the fact that they are Jewish, worry about them as people.

Answer 9

I do not think that it is. I am a non Jew but that is what they call themselves quite often. It by itself is not wrong. If you say it and mix it with other words that are hateful yes it is. I think the term Jewed is wrong. Like he Jewed me because that is a verb describing being ripped off.

Answer 10

To be socially correct, you would say Jewish. As in "He is Jewish." If you say, "He is a Jew," it sounds a bit derogatory.