To Be a Jew

DISCLAIMER: This poem is in no way meant to be a overly religious piece. This is just about what it is like to feel like a minority that cannot be based off of things people normally cannot see when looking at a person who is Jewish. There is mostly about discrimination and that is all it should be about. I apologize if this offends anyone.

Anger, Disgust, Hate.

Words yes, but the feeling behind them is great.

Why such strong emotions?

Who is it all for?

What? Me? Why me?

What did I do?

Because I was born a Jew?

But I'm just like you!

Big noses and curly hair.

Greedy, cheap, and rude.

These stereotypes are outdated and crude.

For years we have been blamed,

Hunted, Persecuted, and Shamed.

Is that how you were raised?

You must understand this comes from an ancient fear

From things people used to see and hear.

While Europeans died from the plague

The Jewish people thrived.

No we were not the cause!.

History shows we did not use the common wells

"Because these Satanists poisoned it" the common folk would tell.

Nothing could be further from the truth

Our ancient laws demand cleanliness and there is written proof.

And what about Ancient Egypt you may ask?

Nothing states they build the pyramids; such a laborious task.

Whether that is fact or fiction,

Jewish people did live in Egypt, and there was at times great friction.

In Spain in 1478, The Inquisition was created

Out of malice and pure hate.

The children of Abraham,

sons and daughters of Isaac and Ishmael alike

came under attack.

"Heretics" the Catholics declared.

Convert or die - Now how is that fair?

Jesus was Jewish as were all his apostles.

The last supper was a Passover cedar with consequences that were colossal.

We grew too big, too powerful, too rich

Our pride, and our wealth

Would prove hazardous to our health.

A great war in Europe was lost,

And the Jews of Germany prospered for a cost.

Adolf Hitler would rise to power

"Jews are the enemy" he declared and the people cowered.

Yellow stars reading "Jude" now worn,

Satirical anti-Semitic pamphlets released,

The Aryan race reigned supreme

This was the start of that horrid dream.

Jealousy, loathing, terror, and dread ruled the land,

Ghettoes emerged and the Jewish people were slowly being banned.

It wasn't enough, no there is more.

Blacks, Catholics, mentally disabled, physically disabled, those that were ill,

Homosexuals, Romani, Sovients, anyone deemed "inferior"

All suffered and died.

It did not end with World War Two,

Anti-Semitism continues to grow and thrive.

What is so different between you and me?

As William Shakespeare once wrote "If you prick us do we not bleed?"

Shylock may have been despised,

But his words remain true.

The fact that you despise me for my faith makes you a fool.

We are not inferior or a race as Nazi propaganda described.

We are a tribe.

Tribe, family, children of God.

All are welcomed, all are loved.

You don't have to convert to be part of my family,

Your skin color does not matter to join my tribe.

Jews come in all shapes and sizes.

Some are black or white.

Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern and everything in between.

Some have brown hair or red, blonde or black, or none at all.

You can be fully Jewish or half

You can be not Jewish at all.

Just be kind and full of love

For we are all children of God above.

This poem was written in inspiration by something someone once said. That person will never be mentioned, but at the same time, what they said has been said by many others before. The Jewish people have been hated and discriminated against for thousands of years and will still deal with such struggles for thousands of years to come. I cannot begin to understand or comprehend the struggles of other minorities and I hate that all I can do is stand by their side as they fight for what is right. I hope that you will stand with me in trying to find justice and equality for all those who are considered minorities and hated against for their religion, color of the skin, and more.