To Bigotry No Sanction?
Antisemitism in the United States
Lesson developed in partnership with ADL
Difficult Conversations and Brave Spaces
Remember our own identities and positions in the conversation
Consider our intentions and the impact of our statements
Remain curious and ask questions when disagreement occurs
Commit to the potential for discomfort to facilitate growth
Step in and step out of conversations when needed
Contribute to building and maintaining trust, even when disagreeing
Turn-and-Talk
In 1790, President George Washington assured the Jewish community of Newport, RI that the government of the United States would give “to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”
Do you think the United States lived up to this promise?
How do you feel about Washington’s promise? Why?
Throughout U.S. history, bigotry has persisted, despite the ideals of equality and freedom.
For example:
African Americans have suffered under and endured enslavement, segregation, racial violence, and racist attitudes.
Indigenous communities have been subjected to forced displacement, assimilation, and a battle to have tribal sovereignty recognized.
Through immigration, the Jewish community in the United States grew throughout the 19th and early 20th century.
Between 1830 and 1860 roughly 200,000 Jewish immigrants arrived.
Between 1881 and 1914, another 2 million Jewish immigrants came to the United States, with 85 percent entering through New York.
While antisemitism existed in the United States before this period, the rapid growth of Jewish immigrants provoked added anti-Jewish bigotry.
What is antisemitism? Where might antisemitic ideas come from?
What is Antisemitism?
“Antisemitism is the belief that Jews have common repellent and/or ruinous qualities that set them apart from non-Jews.” –Peter Hayes, Professor of History, Northwestern University
“A conspiracy theory that holds that Jews are uniquely prone to use devious means to achieve malevolent ends and must therefore be opposed by any means necessary, including violence.” –Bret Stephens, Opinion Columnist, The New York Times
Restate these explanations of antisemitism in your own words.
Stations Activity
In small groups, rotate between each of the three stations. Examine each of the two primary sources per station, keeping in mind the definitions of antisemitism.
For each source, per station, answer the following questions:
What details do you notice in this source?
What about this source is antisemitic?
Stations Debrief
What did you learn about antisemitism by viewing and reading the sources at each of the three stations?
Based on these sources, how do antisemitic ideas circulate?
What has the swastika come to represent? Why?
Photos of Public Rallies
In small groups, view and discuss the images in the Public Rallies Handout.
Discuss the following questions:
What about these images is surprising?
How do these images make you feel?
What is the power of a public rally?
A New Promise
In 1790, President Washington wrote to assure the Jewish community in Newport, R.I. that the newly established United States would not be a home to bigotry or persecution.
In the 21st century, what is a new promise that the United States could make to persecuted communities?
Write a statement of the new promise you would like to make so that the United States becomes a “more perfect union.”
Image Credits