Adam was saying recently that he dislikes stereotypes of Jews in America.
Thinking about it, I’ve had friends say to me, "Oh, but I only have Jewish doctors."
Others have intimated that they want a Jewish accountant.
Even my clients (in my former life of criminal defense) have said to me, they wish they had enough money to hire a Jewish lawyer. Now, wasn’t it full customer service when I was able to produce for them a Jewish lawyer who could help on their case — gratis? But, I digress.
Other than a few people who’ve said they think Jews are usurious — most characterizations have been more positive than not. Who wouldn’t want to be chosen for something because people think you’re smart.
I’ve also had Asian friends who resent being considered math and science whizzes, and Indian friends who don’t want to be categorized as engineers or computer nerds.
Now, I can understand how these kinds of stereotypes can be limiting to folks — especially if you want to be a Jewish artist or an Asian gadabout. Having people think you’re smart, and a hard worker can be such a barrier to one’s true self.
I, however, would take those stereotypes over the ones of blacks today. Those sterotypes have led us to recently being the subject of widespread abortion — to save the country from crime — of course.
Smart, crafty, on one hand — criminal, at the bottom of the bell curve on the other, hmmmm.
