How pervasive is anti-Semitism in Paterson? Is Paterson typical of American-Muslim communities?
I’ve been doing research for about a year on the rumor that the Arabs of Paterson celebrated the 9/11 attacks, so I’ve spent my fair share of time in the city interviewing people in South Paterson. I found anti-Semitism depressingly common among my interview subjects. They took it for granted, and took for granted that I shared their view. I’ve also spoken at some length with reporters in the area, and some (though not all) agree with my assessment of the issue. I get frustrated with the timidity with which journalists deal with this issue. They’ll discuss racial profiling against Arabs and Muslims, but not anti-Semitism by the same people. I don’t that double standard. And it is a double standard. I don’t know whether Paterson is typical of Arab-Muslim communities, but I would stand by my claim that anti-Semitism is the rule among the Arabs and Muslims I have met over the last 20 years or so. And for obvious reasons, I have met far more Arabs and Muslims than the average American. Wha
