The Importance of Speaking Out

Before I wrote this speech, my dad wasn’t sure I should give it.  

He was worried that speaking openly about being Jewish would make me a target and cause people to judge me and treat me differently. His hesitation stayed with me because it made me realize how complicated identity can feel right now in the world.

I grew up in Aspen, Colorado, a small, tight-knit community. Many Jewish people resided there, which made me feel seen and normal, not like an outsider. My family, friends, and I celebrated Jewish holidays and participated in meaningful traditions, which created a community filled with love and connection. 

However, when I moved to Victoria, that community disappeared. I went from celebrating my identity openly to having no one to share my feelings and traditions with. This created a feeling of isolation and loneliness that I didn’t expect. I lost my sense of belonging, and it started to feel like a part of who I was had to be quiet. 

My Bubbe was also Jewish. She grew up in Yonkers, New York, during the 1940s and passed away this October. Although she didn’t endure the Holocaust directly, she experienced the effects. The fear, hatred, and exclusion followed Jewish families everywhere, even in America. 

Instead of shrinking herself and living uncomfortably with her identity, she set a precedent for Jewish women in Chicago. She became the first Jewish woman allowed into the Women’s Athletic Club of Chicago and part of the first Jewish family allowed into her building on East Lakeshore Drive. She set an example by having pride, even when it was extremely difficult. 

The sad truth is that this struggle to be seen as equal didn’t end after the Holocaust. 

Today, antisemitism is evident in the form of casual jokes, comments, and posts. Social media spreads the idea that these jokes are lighthearted, but in reality, they carry the same heavy weight as they did 85 years ago. While the memories of the past fade, we all need to be reminded of what careless words started years ago. For the younger generations, it's easy for them to forget that their words have history. 

To my disappointment, I rarely see people speaking up when it matters. So, I invite you all to think of a time when you witnessed someone being targeted, or you yourself were targeted, simply because of who you are. 

I can imagine this makes you feel unsettled, and it should, because it is unjust and wrong. No one deserves to be isolated and targeted simply because of the ethnicity they were born into. How could you hate someone for part of who they are? 

When people hear the word “Jewish,” they often think about the many stereotypes that have formed throughout the years. But to me, being Jewish isn’t just a religion. It’s community, family, history, and identity. 

I hope that by speaking out, I encourage you all to dig deep within and know that standing up truly helps to shape you as a person and the world around you.