Why I Don't Understand Why People Call This Place So Liberal

[debka_notion]

As I was getting my lunch today, Steve comes over to me, takes a look at my shirt, which says "Brandeis University Conservative Organization" on the front and "Hebrew is Gender Specific, BUCO is not" on the back, and says to me "You know, we have a shirt like that for BOO too, only on the back it says 'G-d doesn't hate us'". (BOO is the Brandeis Orthodox Organization.) I tried to joke back something, but I was rather offended. It isn't like this is the first time he's said something offensive to me either: last time it was a whole string of bigotted comments about Indians, Pakistanis, Muslims, Asians and other immigrants. I'm getting to the point where I really want to do something about it, but I'm not really sure what to do. File some sort of complaint to the student senate about religious persecution? It seems a bit ridiculous here, but I'm not sure what else to call this one. Talk to the Orthodox rabbi here? I don't know what he'd do... Ideas?

Comments

[qianian.livejournal.com]

He may have meant that seriously, and I know you're all taking it seriously, but I find the scene rather humorous. Here's a predominantly Jewish school where Jews condemn other Jews. I find it a rather more enlightened approach to find humor in the situation, than to stick to the gridlock. There isn't anything to do about the scene, is there?

[shirei-shibolim.livejournal.com]

I don't think anyone is shocked, surprised or otherwise badly offended at the suggestion that some Jews don't like what other Jews do, no matter what percentage of the local population is Jewish. In the context of Jewish history, this is par for course.

Brandeis swims in religious debate, and usually people take it in stride. Side A will accuse side B of ignoring or violating one principle or another, side B will defend its position, side A will challenge that defense, et cetera, et cetera, until either the issue is resolved or all involved parties graduate.

Of course, that was not the case here. This was an attack that reflects what I see as a very scary attitude on the part of the speaker. If someone told me without provocation that God hates me, I doubt that I would take it seriously as a theological statement. I would be very disturbed at the idea that someone out there is sure that God hates me, and wants to make sure I know.

[debka-notion.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's funny when you're not there, but I was offended. Those sorts of jokes, even when they're told as jokes that actually sound like jokes, rather than this one, usually indicate what someoen really feels, and that's pretty offensive.

Abotu the scene? I don't know- maybe so. I'm working on that idea and hoping.

[navelofwine.livejournal.com]

I'm with you. But then, I tend to find offensive comments funny. Not everyone is like that.