Anti-Semitism 1s an alarming problem > Don’t downplay threats against religious groups Cazzy Lewchuk Opinions Editor ecently, the Jewish Community Centre of Vancouver was evacuated twice in one week due to a bomb threat. In response, the federal government contributed $100,000 for increased security measures to the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver. Violence against religious minorities is not a new threat, either historically or in the modern era. The holocaust, during which millions of Jews were murdered in government- funded concentration camps, is still in living memory. Hatred and persecution of any religious community is wrong, and targeting them specifically is encouraging the most dangerous type ideology. In response to the government contribution, board chair Stephen Gaerber said “We deeply appreciate this investment, which will help make our community facilities safer as they welcome people from all faiths and backgrounds.” This is perhaps the most important point. It is not just erasing targeted violence. It is creating a safe and inclusive area for all people, regardless of their culture. It is not enough to simply condemn the threats of violence. Stamping out hatred involves honest discussion on prejudice that forms within the community. It is not about just addressing extremists who make bomb threats. Bigotry and hatred begins at a subtler and more ingrained level within society. In the age of a growing far- right nationalist movement, it is important to remember that bigotry and white supremacy is an issue in every area. It is not confined Let it be ie a to conservative and rural areas, or simply in the US. Vancouver is one of the most progressive and tolerant cities in North America, but that doesn’t mean bigotry has been completely eliminated here. In fact, it’s much more common than most people realize. The people who initiated this threat did not just plan to target any community centre. This was deliberate intimidation of a very small group (less than 2 per cent of the Vancouver population is Jewish) that has been historically persecuted. This was about generalized anti- Semitism, violent threats against minorities, and white supremacy. The Jewish community is considered not to be “white” and they are treated as a separate ethnic group by white supremacists and Nazis, many of whom use a “Christian” defence to justify hatred towards Jews. The rise of Nazi Germany did not begin with proposing that Jews be placed in death camps. It involved general sentiments against the group, encouraging general distrust against Jews, and limiting their rights and privileges by law. Perhaps even more importantly, it involved creating a society where targeting others for their religious and cultural backgrounds was considered justified. Germany in the 1930s was a different time, when people were more racist in general, but the rise of an extremely racist government (Hitler was elected democratically) involved exploiting natural racist tendencies. > Don’t ask invasive personal questions about someone’s life Cazzy Lewchuk Opinions Editor Re I was asked by a long-time amily friend if I was dating anyone. When I told him I wasn't, he proceeded to ask questions like “Why aren't you?” and “Do you have your eye on anyone?” and “When the last you dated someone?” I’m not dateless by choice. It was awkward, uncomfortable, and embarrassing. My dating life (or lack thereof) has always been a sensitive issue. While I'll be the first to make jokes about it, it’s not very fun to analyze a personal, sad area of your life for others. There are many reasons why someone might not be dating, and many of these reasons involve sad thoughts of not being good enough or otherwise unattractive. Of course, sensitive issues can span all kinds of topics. The typical questions one asks about someone’s life—if someone's in school, is working, has plans for the future—can be things someone is unhappy with. Someone could be incredibly unhappy with their life and circumstances, maybe even battling some kind of depression in the process. It’s all right and normal to ask these sorts of questions, but it’s the answers that are key. If someone says they aren't dating, and gives vague or quiet answers about why, it’s probably a sign they don’t want to talk about that aspect of their life. You learned the answer, and you should move on. While this is an issue for any age, it is a particularly large for millennials. E g 3 c x u 3 3 nS G > g ° x oa Does the vast majority of the Vancouver population hate Jews or encourage bombing them? Of course not. But there is a growing sentiment of targeting others for their religious and cultural beliefs. Governments all across North America and Europe are encouraging nationalism and Islamophobia. Societal distrust of Muslims and laws limiting their freedoms are already in place in the US, Europe, and even our land, glorious and free, Canada. Standing up for social justice and erasing hatred in the community means extending tolerance and respect towards all minority groups. Jews may not be a big part of the community, but it doesn’t mean prejudice towards them is any less important to take a stand against. ¢¢ You learned the answer, and you should move on. Generally speaking, millennials are in a worse-off condition than any other generation before. A bad economy, expensive post-secondary education, a lack of job prospects, and rising prices all contribute to many who are struggling just to get by. Many older people are unaware or in denial of how bad the problems get, and thus can come off as insensitive in many areas. It is not easy to go back to school. When in school, it’s hard to determine your future and what you'll do when youre finished (particularly if you chose a degree that you are passionate about but may not offer many job opportunities). It is harder than ever to plan ahead and get a decent job, or a job that plots you towards a career. If someone is stuck in a dead-end job, asking when they plan to leave it or what they’ll be doing in five years is a really tough question. General conversation can quickly turn upsetting. It’s important to notice and remember when a topic is sensitive, and to limit yourself on what you ask accordingly.