Jew is the correct word to refer to a member of the Jewish faith. I don’t think anyone would suggest that it was derogatory unless they themselves were hateful toward Jews. It’s kind of like how people who hate Americans use the term “Americans” hatefully.
I’m not, but I have several Jewish friends. I also live close to rural batshit Crazyville. I can hear the difference in “Jew” when it’s said at the Jewish Cultural Center vs. at the townie bar with disdain, for sure. Hard R territory.
I stand firmly on the side of not stifling hateful use of “Jew” to avoid the risk of stifling regular use of it.
They can’t make the correct descriptor of my identity into a derogatory word. I won’t let them.
That is technically true, though the dynamic of pointing at and labelling a minority who have historically been subject to persecution is its own message on top of that. As usual, context is everything, and this meme depends on the reader being aware of the history of Jews being singled out for persecution for its transgressive frisson.
Really stupid question, but is the term “Jew(s)” derogatory in any way when referring to Jewish people(s), or should one say “Jewish person/people”?
Jew is the correct word to refer to a member of the Jewish faith. I don’t think anyone would suggest that it was derogatory unless they themselves were hateful toward Jews. It’s kind of like how people who hate Americans use the term “Americans” hatefully.
I’m not, but I have several Jewish friends. I also live close to rural batshit Crazyville. I can hear the difference in “Jew” when it’s said at the Jewish Cultural Center vs. at the townie bar with disdain, for sure. Hard R territory.
I stand firmly on the side of not stifling hateful use of “Jew” to avoid the risk of stifling regular use of it. They can’t make the correct descriptor of my identity into a derogatory word. I won’t let them.
Ok that’s what I thought, thanks!
You got it boss
That is technically true, though the dynamic of pointing at and labelling a minority who have historically been subject to persecution is its own message on top of that. As usual, context is everything, and this meme depends on the reader being aware of the history of Jews being singled out for persecution for its transgressive frisson.
If you don’t mind, we are preferred to be called “The Chosen People”.