One day I was (I thought politely) talking about the origins of Judaism on a forum. After posting, some people took issue to my referencing of Jews as "the Jews". Is it considered racist to put a "the" before "Jews"? Serious answers only, please.
2007-01-08 11:02:39 · 11 answers · asked by David James (Enn Track) 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
I'm an Orthodox Jew and I don't take offense to the definite article "the" preceding the word "Jews".
You can refer to "The Jews", "The Jewish People" etc.
It all depends on the context, that is
1: "The Jews have a rich and interesting history."
2. "The Jews control most world governments, the banking and media industries and are responsible for all the problems in the world today (see: Mel Gibson)"
So, you can see that it depends on the context.
2007-01-09 18:30:11 · answer #1 · answered by Sunhouse 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YOu met the "labeling is racist" crowd. If you put 'the' before any proper noun they flip out. If you ask a question about a common occurance in a sub-culture they will also flip out, because you are stereotyping. This is true even if every sensible person knows that group actually does that in like 99% of individuals.
They're fanatical people, who just want to feel more enlightened than others.
2007-01-08 19:08:12 · answer #2 · answered by Sammer (Jim W) 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not offensive. Some people take it that way because it sounds as if you are designating the Jews as a race, which is what Hitler did, and it freaks some people out. Me, personally I do not mind. I am proud to be called a Jew.
2007-01-08 19:16:50 · answer #3 · answered by LadySuri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically, it's no different than saying "The Christians", except that "Jewish" people are thought to be from Israel, but that is not necessarily the case.
Jewish people are religious just like Christians, people from Israel are Israelites. So, maybe people get offended by the fact that "Jews" have been persecuted so very long that it is automatically assumed to be derogatory?
2007-01-08 19:07:47 · answer #4 · answered by Life after 45 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's not racist to say Jews. People say arabs w/o a problem. It's not racist. Some jews jus freak out that we put Jews bcuz they like2 create a problem..ppl tht think its racist want attention...its not racist so dont worry, you didnt do a/t wrong...=D peace
2007-01-09 18:55:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
that's ridiculuous.
people will call any one racist in this day an age.
2007-01-08 19:04:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not racist, it's proper English.
2007-01-08 19:05:33 · answer #7 · answered by chicpower 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is. And I don't know of any Jewish friends of mine who would find it objectionable either.
2007-01-08 19:05:22 · answer #8 · answered by castle h 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
everybody does that anyways. It has nothing to do with racism.
2007-01-08 19:13:34 · answer #9 · answered by Sergey K 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It seems they're paranoid.
2007-01-08 19:05:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋