During an episode of American Idol (the one where 10 contestants paled in comparison to Zachariah Smith, Lucy Love, and Iam Tongi) an advertisement aired that I had to rewind and watch again. It’s the first I’ve seen from the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. Check it out then scroll down for more info…
According to the ad, 1 in 4 Jews were victim of hate in 2022. For more stats like that, this site gives a good amount of data. For instance, “The ADL… counted 3,697 antisemitic incidents in 2022.”
From those, 111 were physical assaults. Crazy.
I’ll be totally honest by saying I’ve only heard of antisemitism, I’ve never seen it in real life and I even wonder where it’s happening. It’s kind of like my experience with racism. I hear a lot about it in the news but I can’t think of any instance where I was with anyone of any race and something hateful was done or said. But to be very clear, I believe racism and antisemitism both exist, I just can’t figure out why. I remember Kanye West getting into hot water last year with a series of social media posts that were described as antisemitic.
Why would, or does, anyone hate a Jewish person? Thugs, criminals, rapists, murderers, arrogant narcissists… I can understand why there would be ill-will towards a person like that. But Jews? Really? What has any Jew ever done to harm someone as an extension of their faith or heritage? I just don’t get it. Maybe it’s jealousy?
I write about commercials a lot, and as for this specific ad, I think it’s very well done. I was moved so much that I had to rewatch it a few times during the Idol commercial break (side note, I also write about American Idol). The natural conversation between mom and daughter really stands out. I noticed it because one of my biggest pet peeves on TV and in movies is when kids speak lines so obviously written by adults. The child in this commercial speaks like kids do and I love that, especially when she asked, “Did you paint it or something?” Exactly what a kid might ask in that situation.
Great ad. Wish it wasn’t necessary.
To end on a lighter note, here are some graffiti photos in my personal gallery. Graffiti I can stand behind, and these pics are available for purchase if you’re so inclined. 🙂
-Out of the Wilderness
Out of the Wilderness 