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A quick thread on mobilized young people fighting for racial justice and observations from the Russian-speaking Jewish community. 1/
When Soviet Jews fled to the states many (most?) of us came with nothing. I don't mean White college kid with suburban parents 'broke,' I mean actually poor. Food stamps, public housing, etc... 2/
Those who were fortunate enough to have secured degrees in the USSR often did not have them recognized and so the highly educated and the no-education families (like mine) took on the same kind of menial jobs. It was tough, but I recall it being a very aspirational time. 3/
Among the jobs my dad juggled was as a hired driver. He drove around a lot of wealthy and powerful people in New Jersey. Childcare not being a thing, I often sat in the front of the limo while he drove folks around to and from their meetings and flights. 4/
I could tell you some great stories of interesting encounters we had. The kindest was Senator Lautenberg and his family. He wrote and championed the legislation that made it possible for us to flee here. 10/10 mensch and menschy family. 5/
But the reason I bring it up is less for the social encounters and more for what I internalized as a kid and what I watched many Russian Jews internalize in their own encounters: The wealthy people with the big houses and lawns who did important things were nearly all White. 6/
Then we would go home, to our dinky public housing, where it was Russian Jews, other immigrant communities, and Black people.
And boy did we not develop any kind of class solidarity in observing and living this social hierarchy.
7/
And boy did we not develop any kind of class solidarity in observing and living this social hierarchy.
7/
Racism is not something foreign to Soviet Jews. After all, we came here because we were racialized in the Soviet Union.
You're not getting that job, degree, or dacha because of that big nose, that curly hair, that name, and that 5th line. And neither are your kids. 8/
You're not getting that job, degree, or dacha because of that big nose, that curly hair, that name, and that 5th line. And neither are your kids. 8/
People had bills to pay, kids to feed, jobs to juggle, night classes to attend, and it was all done in furtherance of *one day* living that good life with the big house and big yard and the big pool. (or in Brighton: a nice apartment and dacha upstate or in the Poconos) 9/
But along the way a lot of things about the specifics of *American* racism were internalized. Don't behave like *those* people. Don't befriend *those people.*
You can guess what was said about what would happen if Russian kids brought home one of *them.* 10/
You can guess what was said about what would happen if Russian kids brought home one of *them.* 10/
And those views hardened over time. Some (many?) achieved that American dream. But many did not. A lot of underwater mortgages. A lot of health problems aggravated by habits and diets picked up long before we had a good understanding of the long term impacts. 11/
And so, a lot of bitterness. A lot of right wing Russian radio from Brighton and Israel. A lot of we're-more-American-than-anybody nationalism.
Would you be surprised to learn that yours truly was once a tea partier? 12/
Would you be surprised to learn that yours truly was once a tea partier? 12/
But a funny thing is happening right now: The next generation is marching. They're donating to Black causes.
They're getting in a helluvah lot of fights with their parents about their activism and race in general. 13/
They're getting in a helluvah lot of fights with their parents about their activism and race in general. 13/
Talking to my mom last night, she gingerly approached the question of what activism if any I am doing. I asked her why she was asking. All of her friends' kids are in active fights with their parents, who are *horrified* that their kids would involve themselves in *politics.* 14/
Now, I knew they were all up to this because I keep in touch with some or just see what they're up to while scrolling Instagram.
All of us did the things our parents told us were important: We got an education, we got jobs, we became "American" as our parents defined it. 15/
All of us did the things our parents told us were important: We got an education, we got jobs, we became "American" as our parents defined it. 15/
And, if I'm being honest, the troll in me is deeply amused that we did what our parents and community demanded of us and now they are horrified with the results. 16/
But the flip side to this is one that I suspect a lot of immigrant communities who internalized anti-Black sentiments are now contending with: Your own 'American' kids are standing up to you. What do you value more? 17/
I suspect for Russian Jews it will play out in one of two ways: A very Jewish response of 'I love my kids and I will deal/change' or deeply strained/broken relationships.
I suspect most will be in the former category, but that's because I am soft-headed sentimental Jew. 18/18
I suspect most will be in the former category, but that's because I am soft-headed sentimental Jew. 18/18
Post script: reactionary older Russian Jews are waking up to the fact that their kids aren't reactionaries and wow are they mad https://twitter.com/avitalrachel/status/1273296039622180865?s=19
