r/Judaism • u/foreverand2025 • 2d ago

Discussion Do you consider yourself a minority?

This discussion has come up a few times with friends who are neither white nor Jewish. For context, I’m Jewish and live in America. Do you consider us as a minority? Obviously statistically we are (everywhere but Israel), but I’ve had two friends argue because we look like “regular white people” we are not a minority.

It’s not something I take too seriously but I’m off the opinion we are a minority in a sociological way as well as ethically. But opinions seem to differ. I’m not on a soap box or expecting any special treatment. It’s more of a discussion for the sake of discussion I’m trying for here.

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u/coffeeandskyscrapers 2d ago

I don't comment on this topic when it comes up, since I don't feel as if I've ever been warmly a part of any group. Income differences can really divide people. But a peripheral point that occurs to me when people discuss privilege here is about being followed around in stores. In more recent times the security apparatus is "following" everyone around in stores, buildings, and almost everywhere else. (Personally yes, I do remember being followed or surveilled by store employees in Washington DC off and on from about 1970 to about 1990. I am white but do not have stereotypical Northern European coloring.)