antisemitism
antisemitism
Pronunciation
an-ti-sem-i-tism (5 syllables)
an - /æn/ (short a sound like in "hat")
ti - /ti/ (short i sound like in "tin")
sem - /sɛm/ (s sound followed by eh sound like in "bed")
i - /ɪ/ (short i sound like in "bit")
tism - /tɪzəm/ (t sound followed by short i sound and then a z sound followed by uhm sound like in "prism")
Word Form Variations
Antisemitism is a singular noun. It refers to the hatred or prejudice against Jews. There is no standard plural form. However, you might encounter the following:
Antisemitisms (less common and potentially grammatically awkward)
Instances of antisemitism (more common and descriptive)
It's generally recommended to stick with the singular form "antisemitism" and use plurals like "instances" or "examples" to indicate multiple occurrences.
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1: Deep-seated prejudice or hatred directed towards Jews as a religious or ethnic group.
Synonyms: Jew-hatred, anti-Jewish sentiment, Judenhass (Yiddish)
Antonyms: Philosemitism, tolerance, acceptance
Definition 2: Discrimination against Jews based on their religion or ethnicity.
Synonyms: Anti-Jewish discrimination, religious bigotry, ethnic prejudice
Antonyms: Equality, inclusion, fair treatment
Examples of Use
Book: "Antisemitism: A Very Short Introduction" by Sander Gilman (2011) explores the historical roots and contemporary forms of antisemitism.
Newspaper: A headline in The New York Times reads "Surge in Antisemitic Attacks in New York Raises Alarms" (October 2023) highlights a recent event.
Online Publication: An article on the Anti-Defamation League website discusses "How to Respond to Antisemitism Online" (adl.org) providing resources for users.
Entertainment Medium: The television series "Unorthodox" (Netflix, 2020) portrays a young woman grappling with her religious identity and facing antisemitism within her community.
Public Discourse: A politician delivers a speech condemning a recent act of antisemitism, stating "We must not tolerate hatred or violence against any religious group."
Social Media: A social media post uses the hashtag #StopAntisemitism to raise awareness about the issue.
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Antisemitic
Due to the seriousness of antisemitism, it is not advisable to directly quote antisemitic statements. However, here are ten quotes that address antisemitism and its dangers:
Elie Wiesel (Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate): "We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented."
Primo Levi (Holocaust survivor and author): "Antisemitism is not a fatality; it is a human invention."
Abraham Lincoln (16th President of the United States): "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves." (This quote, while not directly about antisemitism, speaks to the dangers of prejudice.)
Martin Luther King Jr. (Civil Rights Leader): "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." (Similar to Lincoln's quote, this speaks to overcoming hate.)
Desmond Tutu (South African Anglican Bishop and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate): "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor."
Anna Frank (Victim of the Holocaust and diarist): "In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart." (This quote emphasises hope in the face of prejudice.)
Eleanor Roosevelt (Former First Lady of the United States and human rights advocate): "Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home — so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world." (This quote highlights the importance of fighting prejudice in everyday life.)
Nelson Mandela (Former President of South Africa and anti-apartheid revolutionary): "No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."
Malala Yousafzai (Activist for female education and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate): "One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world." (Education is a powerful tool in combating prejudice.)
Mahatma Gandhi (Leader of the Indian independence movement): "Intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of true democratic spirit."
These quotes, while not directly using the word "antisemitism," address themes of prejudice, hatred, and the importance of tolerance and love.
Etymology
The word "antisemitism" is a fairly new invention, even though prejudice against Jews has existed for much longer. Here's the breakdown:
"Anti" is a prefix meaning "against." We see it in many words like "antibody" (against germs) or "antisocial" (against social norms).
"Semitic" refers to a group of languages, including Hebrew and Arabic. It comes from "Shem," a figure in the Bible considered the ancestor of these language groups.
So, when you put them together, "antisemitism" literally means "against Semitic languages." However, that's not quite what it means!
The word was first used in the late 1800s by someone who wanted to sound scientific about their hatred of Jews. They claimed they were against a made-up idea called "Semitism," which wasn't really about languages at all.
Even though the origin is a bit misleading, "antisemitism" stuck as a term for prejudice against Jews specifically, not speakers of Semitic languages in general.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Antisemitic
It's important to be mindful when discussing antisemitism, and avoiding phrases or idioms that perpetuate hateful stereotypes is crucial. Here are some alternative phrasings that address antisemitism:
Instead of: "Playing the Jewish card" (a stereotype implying Jews use their religion for manipulation)
Say: "Resorting to antisemitic tactics" or "Using prejudice against Jews"
Instead of: "Rich Jew" (a stereotype linking wealth to Jewishness)
Say: "Wealthy person" or be more specific about their source of wealth (e.g., "tech billionaire")
Here are some phrases using "antisemitism" that highlight its negative impact:
On the rise: There has been a recent rise in antisemitic incidents.
Combat antisemitism: We must work together to combat antisemitism in all its forms.
No tolerance for antisemitism: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism in our community.
Rooted in antisemitism: The conspiracy theory is rooted in antisemitic tropes.
Posts Related to Antisemitic
Source Information
Definition of antisemitic from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
