Brodkin-How Jews Became White

Karen Brodkin concludes in “How Jews Became White Folks and What That Says about Race in America” that Jews were able to advance in society due to affirmative action government projects such as the GI Bill which were denied to blacks.

Brodkin begins the chapter by stating how Jews were not considered as white at one point in our country. In fact, all immigrants from southern and eastern Europe were considered to be non-white. These people were considered white at one time, but were no longer when too many began to immigrate to America after 1800. This idea that southern and eastern Europeans were not white was held most deeply by the wealthy. The upper class was the Nordic race while all others, such as the Alpines, Mediterraneans, and Jews, were considered inferior. These inferior groups were even considered to be dirty and such views were very mainstream. Brodkin goes on to state how anti-Semitism was very high in higher education and professional occupations. Brodkin then goes on to explain how the more inclusive view of whiteness and America’s economic prosperity were responsible for Jews becoming white and advancing in society. The GI Bill of Rights helped veterans get education, training, and jobs. It was supposed to be available to all veterans, but women and blacks were denied their rights. This bill helped many Jews to become educated, get good jobs, and join the middle class. The Federal Housing Administration also helped many Jews and veterans to obtain housing and move to suburban neighborhoods. African Americans were discriminated in this area as well.

What consequences does the information presented in this chapter have on our world today? The information presented in this chapter affects our world today greatly. This chapter shows how Jews and other European groups were viewed differently and accepted as white while blacks continued to be discriminated against. Blacks were entitled to the GI Bill, but never received their fair share of the benefits. We see this in our world today. Blacks are still being discriminated against, and one must wonder if it is due to the way in which they were deprived of their rights in the past.

I learned a great deal while reading this chapter. I previously had no idea that some whites were viewed as non-whites in our nation’s past. It took me by surprise that a Jew was considered not to be white. I also learned more about the GI Bill and other government programs of the past. I can see how the privilege whites receive and blacks are denied can be traced back to programs in the past such as the GI Bill.