Anti-Semitism rears its head on campus

“This computer is so Jewish!”

No, the computer did not have a share in the covenant between God and Abraham. It was not one of the chosen processors. And no, its external sixteen-pin, gold-plated connector was not circumcised. Rather, some freshman was hitting the computer because it was not working. Apparently, “Jewish” is a derogatory term to some people on the Rice campus.

Maybe this sort of discrimination seems to be nothing new. Already this year, Rice has had to deal with the “Hustle and Flo” O-Week theme and a racially contentious Backpage. Yet these incidents were attempts at humor — although failed and resulting in apologies. But what I heard last week in the Hanszen college computer lab full of other students was nothing more than sheer anti-Semitism. No one else spoke up, but I assume that if the freshman had made a similar racial remark, that would not have been the case. Then again, racial sensitivity is continuously addressed on campus and all for the better.

During O-Week, all incoming freshmen must undergo diversity training to ensure they have an awareness of demographic minorities on campus. Unfortunately, anti-Semitism is completely ignored.

This may be because Rice has not had to deal with anti-Semitism throughout its history. At its founding — at a time when the Ivy Leagues were practicing active anti-Semitism — Rice had a Jewish board member. And the Menorah Society was one of Rice’s first student organizations.

Today in America, anti-Semitism seems something relegated to an unenlightened past and is overlooked as a relevant issue. In fact, this is probably the reason that ironic humor about Jews has become so mainstream these days. Sascha Baron Cohen won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of an anti-Semite, and it is hard to find a student on campus who has not laughed at South Park’s Cartman mocking Kyle for being a Jew. Despite these “jokes,” the line between ironic humor and anti-Semitism is there.

And this line is crossed on a regular basis on campus. “Jew” has been used as a discriminatory term and various groups often tell Jewish students on campus that they are “going to Hell” for their beliefs. I will not mince words: This is anti-Semitism.

People who hold such prejudiced opinions do not belong at Rice. But the rebuke for such behavior should not come from the administration. Rather, it is our duty as a community of students to stand up for one another and shout down those who aim to spread hate. I know that some students may be afraid to speak out and make themselves a target — but calling out anti-Semitism when one sees it is not overreacting, it is a just response to injustice.

I hope that I am the only person at Rice who has suffered anti-Semitism and had to stand up to it alone — but I know that is not the case. Listening to the experiences of students and professors, anti-Semitism on campus is much more widespread than anyone is willing to admit. Whether you believe it or not, students do use “Jew” as a derogatory term.

Anti-Semitism has been ignored for so long because people assume that it has disappeared. But the tenpercent of Rice student body that is Jewish needs to be heard. The student body as a whole should consider the consequences of its words and not allow others to turn their fellow students’ identity into an insult.

Katherine Gomer is a Hanszen College sophomore.

Back to top