American society Quote by Cornel West
““Black anti-semitism is a form of underdog resentment and envy, directed at another underdog who has made it in American society. The remarkable upward mobility of American Jews--rooted chiefly in a history and culture that places a premium on higher education and self-organization--easily lends itself to myths of Jewish unity and homogeneity that have gained currency among other groups, especially among relatively unorganized groups like black Americans. The high visibility of Jews in the upper reaches of the academy, journalism, the entertainment industry, and the professions--though less so percentage-wise in corporate America and national political office--is viewed less as a result of hard work and success fairly won and more as a matter of favoritism and nepotism among Jews. Ironically, calls for black solidarity and achievement are often modeled on myths of Jewish unity--as both groups respond to American xenophobia and racism. But in times such as these, some blacks view Jews as obstacles rather than allies in the struggle for racial justice.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Race and Antisemitism in America, 2021
The author argues that some Black Americans view Jews as rivals due to perceived preferential treatment, reflecting complex inter‑group resentment.
In simple terms: Black resentment toward Jews stems from perceived favoritism.
Recognize nuanced inter‑group dynamics.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic discourse
- community dialogue
- policy making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can solidarity be built across marginalized groups?
- What role does education play in reducing resentment?
Simplifying groups as monolithic ignores individual experiences.