What made me unhappy today ?

[Rath Darkblade]

Thank you, edamame. Here in Australia, we have CCTV on the roofs of (and armed guards at the entrance to) synagogues, as a matter of course. Unfortunately, synagogues here were attacked even before the events of October 7, 2023. Jewish children were spat on and verbally abused on buses, and sometimes bashed. Jewish adults are sometimes verbally abused on the streets.

Events after October 7th have seen the same thing, but accelerated. We've seen arson attacks against synagogues and Jewish homes, cars set alight, Jewish students abused on university grounds, vandalism of Jewish-owned restaurants ... and that's just in my home town.

I personally was racially abused just two days ago, while travelling on the train ... and I take care not to call attention to my faith while in public. (I know this forum is a safe space, though, and I thank you for giving me this space). Thank goodness the abuse was only verbal and not physical, or I'm not sure what I'd have had to do. I just backed away and tried to calm things down, but the other person refused to stop yelling racial attacks. Other passengers stepped in to defend me, and one of them pressed the emergency button to alert the police, who were waiting for the guy when the train got to the City.

So I'm relieved, but disappointed that Jewish people still have to put up with all this BS.

 

[Madman Starryteller]

Thank you, edamame. Here in Australia, we have CCTV on the roofs of (and armed guards at the entrance to) synagogues, as a matter of course. Unfortunately, synagogues here were attacked even before the events of October 7, 2023. Jewish children were spat on and verbally abused on buses, and sometimes bashed. Jewish adults are sometimes verbally abused on the streets.

Events after October 7th have seen the same thing, but accelerated. We've seen arson attacks against synagogues and Jewish homes, cars set alight, Jewish students abused on university grounds, vandalism of Jewish-owned restaurants ... and that's just in my home town.

I personally was racially abused just two days ago, while travelling on the train ... and I take care not to call attention to my faith while in public. (I know this forum is a safe space, though, and I thank you for giving me this space). Thank goodness the abuse was only verbal and not physical, or I'm not sure what I'd have had to do. I just backed away and tried to calm things down, but the other person refused to stop yelling racial attacks. Other passengers stepped in to defend me, and one of them pressed the emergency button to alert the police, who were waiting for the guy when the train got to the City.

So I'm relieved, but disappointed that Jewish people still have to put up with all this BS.

Times change, but times never change.

 

[Luxuria]

So I'm relieved, but disappointed that Jewish people still have to put up with all this BS.

Same and I am so glad you are okay.

 

[defaux]

I personally was racially abused just two days ago, while travelling on the train

Given that this is the "unhappy" thread, this makes me more unhappy than anything else. While the events the other day are undoubtedly tragic, it might end up being put down to a small group of radicals. The greater tragedy is to see this integrated into our society, to have it infect peoples lives.

and I take care not to call attention to my faith while in public

...but you shouldn't have to. I don't make a deal about it, but I don't feel the need to hide these aspects of myself. We experienced many interesting things while living in Asia, and I can certainly envisage a day when that might affect our lives here (in Australia) but I didn't believe it was so present or pervasive.

Here in Australia, we have CCTV on the roofs of (and armed guards at the entrance to) synagogues, as a matter of course

On first read, I wasn't sure if this was your dry humour coming through, but in context I must believe it isn't. I must also confess to being a little shocked at what this reveals about my own country that I didn't realise was happening. I've seen a lot in the US and the UK and Europe, and I don't know if I've been sheltered from this or am just demonstrating my own ignorance, but it is incredibly disheartening.

Other passengers stepped in to defend me

I can only hope that this reflects the majority of us.

 

[Rath Darkblade]

...but you shouldn't have to. I don't make a deal about it, but I don't feel the need to hide these aspects of myself.

True, but I do feel the need. :-\ I'm not particularly religious, but I have a small Star of David necklace that I used to wear for good luck, and to remind me of my roots.

But in the last couple of years, I've been harassed over it. Some people stopped to ask me about it nicely, which I don't mind. But at least one person on public transport took a swing at me and called me a "dirty Jew" and other (worse) things. (Other passengers defended me and held him when he wouldn't stop).

On another occasion, someone else said it was a pentagram and 'accused' me of being a warlock and casting spells. I had been going over the score to Mozart's Requiem, which is in Latin, so maybe he was talking about that? *shrug* I've no idea what his problem was, but he wouldn't stop.

Maybe it's the kryptonite in my pocket? I've no idea why I seem to be attracting weirdos. (Then again, I travel to work on public transport).

On first read, I wasn't sure if this was your dry humour coming through, but in context I must believe it isn't. I must also confess to being a little shocked at what this reveals about my own country that I didn't realise was happening.

It happens in Melbourne more than I'd like to admit. I live in a mostly Jewish suburb, and a year ago, three university-age girls came into my local supermarket and started yelling at us all that we were all (to quote them) "filthy Jewish baby-killers" ( ), and threatened to "cut our throats" in the carpark. The supermarket workers chased them away and called the police, thank goodness.

I've seen a lot in the US and the UK and Europe, and I don't know if I've been sheltered from this or am just demonstrating my own ignorance, but it is incredibly disheartening.

I can only hope that this reflects the majority of us.

I agree, it is disheartening -- and no, it doesn't reflect. Most Australians I've met are warm-hearted and kind. Thank you. It's only that peculiar, loud minority that's making life difficult for us.

Oh, well. The Jewish people have suffered throughout history. We'll be OK. But I wonder what it says about the world, when this kind of thing is tolerated.

 

[Hammer]

Can I please ask people to keep this thread on track?

The atrocity at Bondi Beach will scar many the world over and it goes way deeper than "making people unhappy"

It is a globally significant event that is worthy of much discussion, but this thread, even these forums, are not the place for it. The forums are writers' forums, the thread is a "goofing off" thread by writers, for writers.

We used to have a private area called the debate room for such discussions and you would be welcome to ask for it to be recreated, but it was a bugger to moderate and I think I know the answer; there are places to discuss the deeper meaning of life; writingforum.org isn't one of them