Stop the blame game

I am proud to be an American. My family came to these shores as immigrants to escape the persecution we Jews have endured for almost 4,000 years. We were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years and have been maligned, scorned, discriminated against and murdered by every civilization and empire throughout history.

I have never heard or uttered the words "Gentile Privilege" nor have I ever heard of my fellow Jews raising up arms, stones, or bottles against any other Americans who have marked our synagogues with swastikas and hate speech. I have been called a Christ killer and have not been allowed to be a member of certain clubs and organizations even into the late 1970s.

Israel is our ancestral home, yet many in the world would claim we have no right to even exist. How did we respond to the hatred? We became better Americans and better citizens of the world. We took what little opportunity given to us and excelled in academics, technology, medicine, law and any field we could.

We were raised to respect, love, give, serve and make our families proud of who we were in this world. While others complained, we studied. America is not perfect, but we are free. Free to choose and free to pray. Free to vote and free to protest. I abhor racism, discrimination and hatred but do not blame others for my failures or my successes. There are only 14 million Jews in the world, and yet we are the target of racism and hatred. Even so, we do not let it oppress us or define us.

Our flag represents the United States of America. The flag of this nation represents all the lives lost in securing our freedom. I have seen countries that have no running water. I have been in places that have no freedom.

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If the NFL players, Black Lives Matter or any other dissatisfied group wants to effect change in America, run for office. Vote in every election. Be a role model and an ambassador for your community, and be an example of respect for the country that allows you to have a voice. My people were put in death camps for our bloodline, and there was no one to defend us. We had no rights. We had no voice. We became numbers.

Use your wealth, NFL PLAYERS, to build community centers, sponsor literacy initiatives and be role models. There is a way that seems right to man, but only serves to divide. You have a voice; use it to stand up for America and if there is to be change. Let it begin with you.

Rev./Rabbi Eric E. Walker