A Jewish friend from Memphis called and began the conversation: “I’m afraid — very afraid. The antisemitism we are hearing in the media … the threats coming from the “Proud Boys” and the KKK have reached a point more than reprehensible; they’re dangerous and a serious threat to every Jewish citizen in this country.”
I was not surprised at these words, though I was surprised by his next sentence. “You must do something about this!” My friend was right. My family and I — and all of our non-Jewish friends — must do something definitive and effective to combat this violent and hateful rhetoric.
We must be obvious and loud in our defense of our Jewish friends and Jewish citizens everywhere in this country.
We know from Germany in the 1930s that there were German citizens who spoke up for their Jewish neighbors when hate speech and violent behavior began. But not nearly enough. If every German citizen of good will had mustered the courage to stand loud and strong against Hitler and his Nazi henchmen from the very beginning, a national and world-wide tragedy might have been stopped in its tracks.
But, sadly, too many neighbors turned their heads when Jewish friends were assaulted in Germany’s streets, and synagogues were burned. History tells us the rest …. six million Jews murdered …. an unbelievable tragedy that might not have happened if non-Jewish citizens had done their duty, immediately, courageously, without hesitation.
For those who care about the history of tragedies and the welfare of our Jewish neighbors, there is no alternative but to speak up, support, and be there — out in front for Jewish friends and neighbors — to make our stand visible and unyielding.
When one stands, there should be a dozen to join. When a dozen stand, there should be 100 to join. The purveyors of hate and violence bolster themselves by their groups, seeking to intimidate those who would stand with our Jewish citizens.
True American patriots must not shy away from our responsibility nor compromise with these forces of hate. It should be our duty and our privilege to stand strong with our Jewish friends and neighbors to defeat the recent rise in antisemitic speech and violent, reprehensible actions.
Franklin McCallie, a retired educator, is a co-founder of Chattanooga Connected.