It is beyond bizarre. Identity politics began to spread during the 1960’s,and now it has a stranglehold on many. This mindset allows otherwise worthless people to remain in office, since they are deemed to be “one of us”. I have no sympathy for people like that when they complain about corruption or the incompetence of their leaders, since they have chosen their group or racial identity as the most important factor when they vote for a candidate.

Worry01 on August 2, 2011 at 11:49 pm

I can’t say that I am surprised at this. Not the slightest bit.

CSU Rams Fan on August 2, 2011 at 11:53 pm

“It’s just absurd to have a anyone call me a traitor to Jews for refusing to elect a Jewish liberal.”

That’s appalling.

“Identity politics began to spread during the 1960?s,and now it has a stranglehold on many.”

Not only was it happening in the 1960s, but the 1860s. It’s as old as politics itself.

Dave H. on August 3, 2011 at 12:03 am

Debbie, I would like to know what your review of “La Rafle” is starring Jean Reno (personal fave of mine)… if you are planning to see it. Thank you!

pats on August 3, 2011 at 12:25 am

Now why would an African-American want race-based politics, when she is part of a minority? I guess the lady can’t do math.

Jack Mutt on August 3, 2011 at 12:39 am

That is an outrageous experience!

Steven W. on August 3, 2011 at 1:39 am

Identity politics in conservative and Republican circles wasn’t all that prevalent until Palin came along. Her fans like to believe that she is somehow “redefining” women’s issues in her pro-life stance, but the self-described feminist has damaged the party tremendously in introducing the other 90% of the womens-lib agenda into the party. And through it all, entirely too many people, among her supporters and detractors somehow see her as one of the more conservative members of the party, despite declaring her role models – Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro – in her introduction as a national political figure in 2008.

It used to be that “feminist” was considered an insult among conservative females, now they all flock to be a “mama grizzly.” It’s one of the points I like of Bachmann, that she has soundly rejected such nonsense.

Brian R. on August 3, 2011 at 1:43 am

“The woman asked me, Are you Jewish?”

What on earth would compel her to do that? Was she asking everybody if they were Jewish? Not being the argumentative type, I would’ve just accepted one of her pamphlets, and then tossed it in the nearest trashcan as soon as I entered the building. Life is too short to get into shouting matches with verbose brochure distributors.

Irving on August 3, 2011 at 3:48 am

I’m very used to such treatment from my family and others who expects me to vote for Obama regardless of his politics just because he’s black. They believe he can do no wrong and still blame the countries current problems on Bush. Most black people are being led by their liberal noses and can’t see the forest for the trees I dont even try to communicate common sense to them anymore its a waste of valuable breath.

Koeteus on August 3, 2011 at 4:32 am

This should not surprise anyone. In fact, it is about what anyone ought to expect, these days. Jews typically vote as a block–not always for Jews since there may not be one on the ballot, but certainly for the non-traditionally grounded liberal. Blacks almost always vote their kind. If, however, European heritage, non-Semetic whites attempt the same, it is somehow unclean, and cannot be very approved. It is just the way it is.

michael on August 3, 2011 at 6:02 am

Just what you needed after a long hard day at work. Eh?

There is NO Santa Claus on August 3, 2011 at 8:04 am

People ask about someone’s ethnic background frequently — business situations and social situations. This is also done by professionals, people that you’d think would know better.

This black woman conflates Judiasm and liberalism, and what she was really saying was that you were a traitor to Jewish liberalism. I guess this is one of the two stereotypes of Jews that exists among blacks– the other of course is the anti-semitic stereotype of Al Sharpton and others.

Just like a conservative black person isn’t really black in the eyes of most liberal blacks, this woman is transferring the same attitude to Jewish people. Is this marginally better than the out-and-out anti-semitism shown by the black elite and “educated” blacks?

Little Al on August 3, 2011 at 8:13 am

I have no problem if someone asks me if I am – whatever it is one asks – because I believe that that person is trying to establish a reference point for interaction. Like it or not, ethnicity, race, skin color, appearance, speech patterns, religion, etc., etc., all send signals – yes, generalized ones – but an objective person filters them in a rational manner to learn what the reality is beneath all the interference.

This lady at the polls went directly to a personal assault based upon HER limited ability to see a broader range of possibilities, i.e. DS being conservative and that being more important to DS. Also, I would bet that this lady had no rational, objective reasoning for requesting DS to vote for this lady’s candidate and was mentally defenseless if a discussion ensued based on rational facts.

I would – and have done so – politely spoken with the lady and asked her to really research her “premises for her positions”. However, I am not DS and I do not run into these situations everyday…I can, truly, understand how frustrating it is and, in truth, have blown my top at people who have no clue why they think I should even consider their arguments about their political positions.

ps Little Al: Please think about your initial statement. Aren’t there situations in which someone’s ethnicity and other background information would impart some generalized information to the person asking the questions? Research one simple thing about how various cultures view “professional business appointment times”, i.e. arrive early vs. exactly on time vs slightly late and do the same about social appointments, gifts, etc. It is even more important in medical situations. Years ago, in international trade, there was Training Software for business people involved in Import & Export activities so as not to offend potential clients.

Dennis on August 3, 2011 at 9:32 am

Debbie, that woman who called you a traitor is a plain old moron, doesn’t she know that were all entitled to our own opinions, viewpoints, etc. I had I met that black woman, and she dared call me a “traitor” because I don’t support Obama (I happen to be african-american myself) and his far-left leninist policies, I would give that stupid lady a piece of my mind and tell her how wrong she is. DS, if you don’t want to vote for that specific politician who happens to be jewish and he leans way to the far-left, then it’s your opinion to NOT vote for him and NOT support him.

Debbie, I hope you told that lady that we live in “America”, and we have our freedom to vote and freedom to assemble and she has no right telling you that your a “traitor” because your not going to vote for that person because he’s of the same religion as you. I totally agree with you Debbie, this specific issue has NOTHING to do with that persons religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, etc., it applies what his politics are and were exactly he stands, simple as that!

“A nation is defined by its borders, language & culture!”

Sean R. on August 3, 2011 at 10:18 am

White people are the only one capable of racism. Never mind the fact that every non-Western country is divided along ethnic and religious lines.

Hopewell on August 3, 2011 at 10:36 am

The Balkinization of America continues. No more melting pot. No more America.

Jonathan E. Grant on August 3, 2011 at 10:48 am

I don’t know, Deb–was this Jerry Springer reject (…probably failed the IQ test for audience participant) really worth any kind of response?

shegundala on August 3, 2011 at 11:10 am

(while doing the the international “no, you di’in’t!” hand gesture at me)

LOL, that’s some funny stuff. You should have asked her if she was 100% African American or half black like the president.

sharon on August 3, 2011 at 11:11 am

There is NO shortage of MORON in America today.
You are NOT a ‘traitor’ to the Jews, you are a heroine.
SHE is the traitor, voting in the Erav Rav creep.

MJ on August 3, 2011 at 11:21 am

Deb-

Please…next time either use the video cam on your cellphone OR carry some type of simple ‘Flip’ video device – we all need a good laugh….

(especially since your new ‘friend’ seemingly got a D minus in Aslinskology…)

starkexpo on August 3, 2011 at 11:32 am

She wants to yell about racism? Wait til she sees, Return of the planet of the apes. It reminds me of any inner city in the USA.

mike on August 3, 2011 at 11:33 am

Hey I understand because some liberals Latinos call me coconut (white from inside and brown from out side)there been some treats,call me traitor to the Latino cause just because I told them I’m American first,sympathize with the tea party,support the troops,I support Israel,what they make them furious it’s when I say GOD BLESS AMERICA! I not scare I know I’m right and keep fighting

luis g. on August 3, 2011 at 11:42 am

What is amusing is that probably the last time the “jewish” liberal politician was in temple was his Bar Mitzvah.
Meanwhile you are Orthodox & kosher.

This same exact thing ticks me off in the catholic community. Liberal catholic politicians (like the Kennedys and Nancy Pelosi) never go to church and oppose what the Church teaches, yet we are supposed to vote for them because they are “catholic”.

jimmyPx on August 3, 2011 at 11:45 am

So how to explain this?

I’m of that generation of British males who discovered Chicago blues in the early to mid Sixties and it’s never gone away.

Via Clapton and his cohorts we gravitated to Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Magic Sam and all the other formidable array of talent which gravitated out of the West and Southside of the city.

Clapton now organises, plays in and hosts his Crossroads Concerts in the US to raise money for his rehab centre in Antigua and the last one held in the Windy City was a glorious celebration of the genre.

It, as the others is filmed and on dvd.

On stage there’s a meld of black and white, old and young and all showing the denominator of a passion which completely transcends any racial or age differences.

BB King, especially has a kind of graciousness of character which acknowledges the white input and states quite openly that had it not been for the white kids who bought and revived the music they’d still be on the Chitlin Circuit.

Meanwhile, whilst that true and genuine on-stage melting pot, free from the corrosive cacophony of politics and identity neo-segregation smiles with a heartfelt love the cameras pan the audience.

All having a ball. All wrapped in the arms of Mother Music. All intent on a good time. And all white!

If black people of the type Debbie encountered are so concerned where are they when it comes to supporting that first real bridge between the races?

In my view Chess Records, run by two immigre Polish Jews did more for race relations during the crucial Sixties than anyone and that included MLK.

They brought it down to a popular cultural level and Chuck Berry’s Maybeline was the first crossover to top both the race and Billboard charts at the same time.

It then followed that if you loved the music you had, at the very least to like the performers and that’s what happened.

These titans who actually did know segregation and suffering are now shamefully ignored.

So much for Black solidarity.

logdon on August 3, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Dennis, in general I think it is rude and boorish to ask about ethnicity in most business situations. I like to be judged on my ability to do a professional job, not my race or religion.

You mention a number of characteristics that send signals == yes, all of those things do send signals, but that does not make it equally appropriate ask questions about all of them.

Yes, if a person’s speech pattern is incoherent I would not hire them as a lawyer or doctor, but as long as they do not belong to a terrorist religion or ethnic group, I probably would not use that as a filter.

And the whole point of Debbie’s post was to challenge Jewish liberalism. So if I was Jewish, how would someone evaluate that “objectively?” What is the “rational manner” someone would use to evaluate this information? Maybe that all Jews are supposedly money-hungry, or liberal, or extremely left-wing? But what if I were Jewish and did not fit those characteristics? Would asking me my religion without filling out a 20-page questionnaire give this person the information they needed to evaluate me “rationally and objectively”?

No, the people who asked me were generally people who had not transcended their childhood prejudices, and I think one of the points of this post was to criticize the black woman who similarly held stereotypes and prejudices.

Little Al on August 3, 2011 at 12:14 pm

Loved this article! I’ll be citing it for others to read!

Aurora on August 3, 2011 at 12:26 pm

Oh no she dint! Lol, this from a person I would bet a body part votes a straight dem ticket.

samurai on August 3, 2011 at 1:04 pm

Is it just me, or is calling someone “white” extremely racist? I’m “white,” but what does that tell you? I could be American, Spanish, perhaps even Bosnian or some other Eastern European. These are all completely different groups of personalities and cultures. So for someone to look at the color of my skin and lump me in with every other “white” person as if it is a race or culture is extremely racist. We don’t go around calling every brown person a Mexican do we?

And how racist is the urban lady that accosted Debbie? She takes one look at her and starts assuming she’s a Jew? That’s profiling is it not? I thought only white people did that sort of thing….

Hopewell on August 3, 2011 at 1:40 pm

I’ve seen you called worse than a “traitor to Jews” for having righteous values and beliefs. The world shovels out that kind of shi’ite to those who have character….

PDMac60 on August 3, 2011 at 1:46 pm

I get annoyed when people (always white people) say to me how “pale” I look.

Yeah, I haven’t gone on any melanoma-baiting tanning trips lately, largely due to me not caring about such things and that severe sunburn I got at age 10 that my skin never bounced back from. Sorry my light skin isn’t approved by you and the sun worshippers who will all resemble shoe leather in your 40’s. Any real dermatologist will tell you “there’s no such thing as a healthy tan”. It’s all vanity (and oddly coming from a “race” that has a history of discrimination against darker skinned groups).

One chick said her female boss “you’re legs are white!” I’d have found a reason to fire her after that, no matter how apologetic she was.

So white? on August 3, 2011 at 5:59 pm

Hillel, out here in Canada anyways, is not a liberal Jewish student organization. They actually are very pro-Israel and quite conservative. I attended my first Hillel fundraising dinner last year and Marc Steyn was the speaker and he is anything but liberal. It was excellent by the way and I plan to attend this year too!

Karen on August 3, 2011 at 6:13 pm

Just shows u the moronic level of intelligence some people are at these days…

Lucy on August 3, 2011 at 7:13 pm

I always found this type of stuff funny. I went to a pretty black high school and was often called out for not supporting liberal politics. My favorite all time band is Rage against the Machine. When people find out that I listen to them, but I am very conservative, they actually call me a traitor to the band. Like my musical tastes should tell me how I vote. If my best friend was running for office, I wouldn’t vote for him because he is far too liberal. I think it is insane to allow race, sex, or religion be the only deciding factor in who we elect.

Forsberg on August 3, 2011 at 7:22 pm

Remember the last scene of the cult classic, “Invasion of the Bodysnatchers” with Donald Sutherland? I can almost see it now, some woman pointing at Debbie and that high pitched squelch!

Paul on August 3, 2011 at 7:32 pm

Should have really confused her and said you were there for the early voting for obama and asked if she voted for him yet.

ender on August 3, 2011 at 9:39 pm

I agree with Debbie and well as with those other readers here who agree with her. Always vote for the best candidate without regard to race, religion, gender, etc.

JeffE on August 3, 2011 at 11:26 pm

Many years ago, A Black man told me he had seen much prejudice toward him and his family from other Blacks. He felt they were just as prejudice as many Whites are.

I am very sociable to strangers and new acquaintances, and regardless of their heritage, I usually ask them about their ancestry.

I am our family’s genealogist, and have been fascinated with anthropology since I opened a girlfriend’s text book on it at the (Seventh Day Adventist) Andrews University back ~1975. I was most impressed with the Adventist’s apparent mixed racial campus.

To me, the many Sudanese refugees in the Grand Rapids (Michigan) area are the some of the most handsome & beautiful men & women, regardless of race. Usually quite tall, very dark skinned, high cheekbones, and a possessing a gracious personalty.

Dr Dale on August 4, 2011 at 1:19 am

Debbie, I really think people are trying to make all sorts of racial and sociological assessments from your experience that just ain’t there. First of all, no matter what her ethnicity, this woman was a nut. What fool starts shouting at a total stranger about being a “traitor to their race/religion” unless they have had no home training and/or belong in a mental health facility? And why was she all up in your business in the first place?

I can relate because something similar happened to me. Two months ago I was in a line at the grocery store and this older White dude behind me ask if I voted for President Obama. I told him with a laugh that I was a little uncomfortable discussing my political voting history in line at a store. Ol’ dude then started getting loud and proceeded to tell me that I probably voted for President Obama because he was Black and I was Black, and I was a racist if I did. Everyone started looking around at us, so I proceeded to tell him two things:

1.) Dude, I don’t know you and you don’t know me, so please take it down a level, and…
2.) It ain’t none of your damn business who a voted for.

I then got out of that line as fast as I could and moved to another, with him still yelling as I walked away. But did I interpret this as some sort of racial incident? No. I interpreted this as some nutcase trying to get loud in a store with a stranger because he probably had no other outlet (no girlfriend, no wife, no friends) to argue his political views. Like the nut who yelled at you Debbie, he certainly had no home training. I don’t care what your political views are…please act like you have some sense. I mean, what kind of loon starts yelling in public at someone they don’t know over how they vote? As one commentator said earlier, there are some real morons out there…

FIETTS on August 4, 2011 at 6:25 pm

As George Gilder has pointed out in his excellent book, The Israel Test, Jews excel in an extraordinary range of fields. This includes such fields of human endeavor as science, medicine, law, accounting, mathematics, management, finance, history, economics, business, the arts, and so on. (Jews even excel in such non-cerebral areas as professional football; consider, for example, rising star Gabe Carimi, offense tackle for the Chicago Bears–who, despite his Italian name, was born a Jew and is a practicing Jew.)

However, as Gilder also points out, Jews even excel in anti-Semitism. In particular, Gilder is thinking of such individuals as Noam Chomsky, Norman Finkelstein, and others of their leftist ilk.

But for me, the quintessential Jewish anti-Semite is Daniel Burros, who was a true Jewish-American Nazi. If you don’t know who he was, you can read about him through this Wiki link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Burros#Analysis_of_being_a_Jewish_Nazi
In fact, sometimes, unfortunately, I find that there are Jews that are so opposed to Israel and have such little regard for the welfare of Jews generally, that the thought occurs to me, “With Jews like that, who needs Nazis?”

Ralph Adamo on August 4, 2011 at 8:36 pm

Deb, there’s got to be nothing funnier in one’s life when you are called an anti-semite by a goy.

I remember a segment on Howard Stern years ago when he asked random uneducated blacks why they were supporting Obama and asked if it was because of his (obama’s) anti-abortion or anti-homosexual stance. Naturally the blacks never caught on and just said if Obama says this it must be right. Fortunately us Jews are a bit smarter.

For the record you should tell her “They aren’t Jewish but self loathers – that’s their religion. They are converts out of the faith but think they still are.”

Fred on August 5, 2011 at 12:24 pm