Do schools promote ignorance of others?

Growing up, I always wanted a christmas tree. I always lied to friends that I celebrated both Hanukkah and christmas (I didn't, and still don't celebrate both [with my immediate family]). I choked up when people would ask me things about Judaism. Why? Really there's no other words than antisemitism.

Alright, so I'm being super dramatic but thats basically what I'm trying to get at here today, class. I never wanted to tell the truth because usually I would get people making fun of me. Sure I was happy to be jewish when I had to be. I had awesome friends from going to religious school that just completely understood what I was feeling. I had a bat mitzvah (where I got dat cash money) and became a woman so yea, I think my pubescent self was loving the title on that one. Whenever I went to school (it weirdly still happens today) people will make anti-semetic jokes or comments.

I am in no way trying to speak religion on my blog here, but keep on keeping on aka read.

Yesterday, I saw a holocaust survivor speak. I think we all know my appreciation for the study of WW2/Holocaust time period, so when I decided I could take a holocaust class this semester, we all knew I was going to be in there....like swimwear. Oddly enough, the speaker, whom we have to write a paper on for our final in this class, I've had the opportunity to see him speak before. I knew his story already; I read it, I heard it. Yet, still..there I was listening first row (again the only class I would ever care about sitting front row for a speaker for), leaving inspired and happy.

Happy you say, Rach? Um girl it was on the holocaust. You're right. I hate the topic more than anything. Watching survivors tell their stories gives me hope. Knowing the fact that I go to a shitty community college and saw so many people from different backgrounds listening and engaging gave me hope (except I sort of wanted to punch people who left mid presentation but thats just me being cray, you know?). It was refreshing (ok can't think of a better word here) to see people of different lifestyles, race, AND religion there- asking questions.

Personally, I was confused. Students asked questions about the living conditions while in a camp, about the bodies, the smell, the overall emotions...he laughed about it. The fact that he could just laugh it off as if his life was never almost near death was just amazing. After thinking through half his speech, I realized he had every right to laugh about it. He survived. He's the first hand account that stuff like this did happen. It was real. And he's here to educate the ones who couldn't believe anything (or person) in life could do such a horrid act. In yo face, hitler.

As I was there, nodding my head with what he was saying (even if I knew what he was saying or not), I smiled. I think there's something to be said that when people share similar traits or lifestyles, you just....get them. For me, I can relate to this because in high school when I was in my youth group it was the easiest of times for me to make friends. I found who I was there. I had a solid group of friends, AND they didn't judge me for eating not bread during a week in the spring (which I have to do next monday - jokes on me). When you feel comfortable with your surroundings, you are at the most confident place in your life.


Back to the survivor, I stayed after to get my book signed and get a picture. My professor, who is also jewish, said my name aloud for Fred to hear. He pronounced it in hebrew to reiterate. Then explain how Rachel was the main bad bitch ok not really but the name goes way back. I asked if we could take a picture and he said to me "of course with the pretty girl!". Ok, I could just be overanalyzing because yes I'm a girl but I didn't seem him do that with anyone else. We just connected. I said thanks again and was on my merry way to instagram the picture of us.

For all you educators out there I think you always reiterate how importance acceptance of one anthers religion is so important but for me what I don't get is why we go through all this education - learn history, how to treat others, yet we still find ourselves eaves dropping or maybe even being the ones that shoot ignorant jokes about others interests/backgrounds.

What do you think causes for people to poke fun? Unfamiliarity? Ignorance? 

Ramble sponsored by me, for me. YOLO.