Check Your Own Privilege
Privilege.
It means a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.
For years now, we’ve seen people who consider themselves progressive weaponize the word to vilify any groups that were not a minority. Well, okay, that’s a lie. Not every minority was included in that protected distinction. The word privilege was also used against Jews. Even though the overwhelming majority of hate crimes have been committed against Jews, Jews, somehow, were still considered to be in the group of “privilege.”
Let’s talk about what privilege is, then.
Privilege is not having to worry that your kids in school will be harassed or attacked for being of a certain faith.
Privilege is not having to worry that people will call for a boycott against your livelihood because you are of a certain faith.
Privilege is not having to worry about being put on lists because you are of a certain faith. Separating you into groups. The “acceptable ones” who publicly say that they will support terrorists whose sole mission is wiping out the only Jewish state on the planet. Terrorist supporters who feel it is okay to harass and attack Jews because they can hide behind the word “Zionists” instead of saying Jew.
Again, we ALL KNOW what you mean when you say Zionist. Just say Jew. It’s quicker. It’s easier. You’ll save yourself some time. Also, just know that you are basically attacking the vast majority of Jews because most Jews consider themselves Zionists. Me included.
Privilege is being able to go into your house of worship and not have to constantly look over your shoulder because of being worried that some psycho might pick that day, that place, to “teach the Zionists a lesson.”
Privilege is being able to go into major cities and walk freely and not have to worry about some idiot screaming at you because of events happening halfway across the world.
Privilege is seeing a song come out praising Hitler and shrugging it off because it doesn’t impact you. As a matter of fact, barely any condemnation at all. If this had been a song by a white supremacist using the ‘N’ word, do you think there would also be silence by the media?
By anyone?
That song would’ve been condemned instead of having masses rush to its defense by saying it’s free speech. Or even worse, have some people claim that it’s “catchy” and that people are making much ado about nothing.
This rationalization comes from the same people who have spent the last few years lecturing everyone that “speech can be violence”.
Privilege is not caring about any of the horrific atrocities of October 7th. Not caring that a Pulitzer Prize was given to a columnist who minimized those very same attacks.
Privilege is actually knowing what happened on October 7th and not having it shake you to your core.
Privilege is seeing Jews being harassed or attacked on college campuses while the universities do nothing to stop it, and not being upset about it, because it has nothing to do with you. Knowing that Jewish students are pleading with administrators in the schools, but their calls are not returned. Knowing that their emails are being sent into the void and receiving no reply, yet still unconcerned because it has nothing to do with you.
The only thing you do take umbrage over is when the universities actually do face disciplinary actions for their actions, and rightfully so, you side with the universities because you don’t like the person administering the justice.
Here’s what I know about the word “privilege.” I don’t want to hear it anymore. Too many people I know who have used it derogatorily about others, have it themselves.
When you can sit there and see posters of hostages being ripped off walls, and not have it wound you to the core, or even worse, try to justify it. You are not only guilty of having a certain privilege, but you also need to question your moral compass.
I don’t have these privileges.
As a matter of fact, the overwhelming majority of Jews that I know don’t have any of these privileges.
Every day is a worry. Every day is a struggle to not only be concerned about what’s going on in the world, but also whether to say something or remain silent because speaking up might be harmful to your career. Speaking up might draw the ire of the vocal masses who get their content and opinions from propaganda-spewing antisemitic social media posts or news outlets.
I no longer care about some using the word “privilege” to describe anyone. It’s meaningless to me. As I said before, the ones accusing others of having it, usually have it themselves in abundance.
Jonathan Rosen is a transplanted New Yorker who now lives with his family and rescue dog, Parker, in sunny South Florida. He is proudly of Mexican American descent, and is the author of several books. You can follow him on Substack, her author site: "House of Rosen", and find him on X/Twitter.
This is a reprint of an essay published in Judith Magazine.
Email the editor: tonimaeairaksinen@gmail.com.
