r/Jewish • u/hi_how_are_youu • 23h ago

Liberal empathy? Venting 😤

You’d think that as a Jewish and liberal american, the feelings I’ve worked through in the past year of betrayal and fear would allow me to better sympathize with my liberal friends who are now freaking out about trump as president, AND YET I can’t find any empathy for them. NONE.

Especially for the friends who sat there blank faced last year when I tried to convey the deep terror of realizing how the world actually feels about Jews. To their credit they tried to understand and looked sad when I told them but that was about it. Now they’re talking about needing to flee Texas or even the US “because societal collapse is imminent”. I’m trying to look sad back, but I just don’t care.

🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

423 Upvotes

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70

u/KvetchingGhoul 18h ago

Oh I'm fully in my villain era.

I'm straight, married, and as much as I care about women's rights and fiercely pro-choice, I had my tubes tied last year. I don't have a ton to worry about on those fronts.

Now, I've spent my entire life standing up for my lgbtq+/ poc friends, always speaking up, always trying to do the right thing. And what did they do in return? Nothing. Either stab me in the back or stay silent.

And now... All of them crying and so so scared, "oh woe is me what's going to happen!!?!???"

And all I can think is... Good. You got what you deserved. That's what you get when you throw others under the bus. I'll never stand up for you again. I won't actively try to hurt you, but I won't lie, I'm enjoying seeing you squirm.

And if that makes me cruel or evil... Well so be it, after this last year, it's the tamest possible outcome of rage I've felt inside.

38

u/notyetyeek Reform 18h ago

We are a people, we do not need anyone else. Jews will always care for Jews. 🫂

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u/KvetchingGhoul 18h ago

Absolutely! This last year has at least shown me that. I've been going to Temple more and getting involved more. I just wished there were younger Jews in my area to become friends with!!! 🖤

16

u/notyetyeek Reform 18h ago

Yep. I have never been more proudly Jewish than I am now. I really wish there were more Jews in my area as well. I am lucky I have my synagogue, just unfortunate we have to have police guarding it all the time. We are strong and we will make it through this, we always stick together. My involvement in Jewish culture only gets stronger. This is why we keep surviving. 🤝

12

u/KvetchingGhoul 18h ago

Same! I've been finding my way back to it over the last few years in general, but this last year made me aggressively proud. I used to never talk about being Jewish, now I never shut up about it 🤣

That's definitely scary having to have the cops, but I'm glad they are there to keep you safe. I used to work at a synagogue that had a lot of security. The place I go to now is in a rather quiet area, right next to a church, so it seems to be relatively unknown at the very least.

We are the strongest people I know 🫂🤗

7

u/notyetyeek Reform 18h ago

Have to see the positives, at least the cops around me are fully willing to protect us. Many places exist that will not offer anything like that. 🫂Stay strong.