How Jews Became White Folks

In “How Jews Became White Folks” Brodkin concludes that Jews, along with other people of white skin color, were able to move upward in America while blacks still faced discrimination and segregation.

“America once regarded its immigrant European workers as something other than white, as biologically different,” (38). As Jews began coming to America, some were just viewed as whites. Jewish ethnic heritage included the belief that they were smart and successful because of their efforts, abilities, and hard work (38). However, these were not the only factors that allowed Jews to become successful. Jews were viewed as inferior just like several other “races” or “groups.” Jews eventually would become “whitened” and in a sense change races. The whole idea of races may trace back to Europe, where Irish were viewed as an inferior race. In Europe, Jews were just part of the white population. In America, however, Jews became one of the lowest classes and also one of the lowest races because race and class were interwoven (40). Jews lived in the worst neighborhoods, in the filthiest buildings, and were viewed as unwashed, unrefined, loud, and pushy (41). The Jewish were secluded in society, but soon things changed. The postwar boom that followed World War II allowed formerly working class Jews to enter the middle class (45). A large middle class formed, which include the old whites and the new whites (Jews and other immigrants with white skin formerly labeled inferior). The transition to middle class and economic prosperity aided in the “whitening” process of the Euro-ethnics (43). Following World War II there was an increase in colleges and education, and the GI Bill was supposed to aid war veterans in getting jobs, housing, and an education (44). It did just this…for white males. However, women and blacks did not receive the full benefits of the GI Bill. Racial violence increased after the war and gains were lost. Suburbs became upper class, white neighborhoods, and blacks were forced to remain living in the cities which was the lowest place to live. Segregation and redlining kept blacks out of the suburbs because loans were nearly impossible for blacks to get (being in the redlined neighborhoods), and they could not sell their homes with no one wanting to buy them. “To blacks, the government offered the cement boots of segregation, redlining, urban renewal, and discrimination,” (50). Therefore, Jews were able to move upward and become white due to a huge “affirmative action program,” and blacks were excluded from this program because racial inequality seems to maintain itself naturally, (50).

Why could Jews, Irish, and other groups move upward in society while African Americans or blacks could not? Skin color. Jews and Irish and other groups from Europe were white. They could become “white” based on society, and above people of color. Of course, class was still divided, and the upper class was mainly just the “original whites” and the middle class had more Jews and Irish than did the upper class. People with white skin were also seen as being able to assimilate quickly, as compared to people of color who could not. However, if I remember correctly blacks were prevented from any form of education when they came to America, not getting a chance to assimilate.

I am grateful that Jews (and Irish, etc.) were able to become “white,” but if only people of color would have been allowed to enjoy the benefits of the GI Bill as well, then things would be a lot better today. Equality would still be far away, but things could be a lot better. “Instead of seizing the opportunity to end institutionalized racism, the federal government did its level best to shut and double-seal the postwar window of opportunity in African Americans’ faces,” (49).