The premise put forth is that to be loud and insistent is good. The writer buttresses her claims by a "case in point" approach. One can document numerous "cases" where being "loud" and "insistent" is quite negative. We can be misguided, immature, ignorant, self-righteous, or stupid. And in such cases, being "loud" and "insistent" just magnifies the aforementioned defects. Can't we all picture in our mind's eye a "loud and insistent" ignoramous?

For the most part "loudness" is just not a good quality. This does not mean that if one is not loud one must be meek. But one can be both humble and prudent which are fine qualities without the negative attribute of "loudness."

Thus in the examlpe above, Dr. Shevitz may have been insistent but that does not mean she was "loud." It does not mean she was obnoxious.

I am a Jewish man who has lived in numerous locales, traveled the world, achieved several advanced degrees and have observed people assiduously. I served in the military as an officer and have rubbed elbows with many folks from the Ozarks, Appalachia, etc. I have rarely if ever seen anti-semitism or heard anti-semitic remarks. My last and first names are not noticably Jewish.

I suspect that much perceived anti-semitism derives from a loud and aggressive approach of many Jewish folks. This is a clash of cultural attributes perhaps as opposed to a deep seated hatred of "the Jew."

This all reminds me of a joke. A Jewish grandmother was watching a football game. She observed half a dozen burly and aggressive men seeking to tackle the Jewish quarterback and exclaims: "Look at these anti-semites trying to attack that Jewish boy!"

There are lots of ways to achieve an end. Being "loud and insistent" can be very destructive on many levels. Frankly, most notable goals have been achieved in the absence of "loudness."

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.

Donate

Help us elevate the voices of Jewish women.

donate now

Get JWA in your inbox

Read the latest from JWA from your inbox.

sign up now