Reports of Stereotype’s Death Are Premature
Contrary to what Lenore Skenazy wrote in her March 4 column “Were JAP Jokes a Justification for Intermarriage?” the JAP stereotype is hardly a thing of the past.
In fact, JAP jokes are alive and well among today’s young people. Look no further than “University of Michigan Pursuit of Jappiness,” a parody video of Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness” that Jewish Michigan students posted on YouTube in February. The video has drawn nearly 300,000 hits less than a month after its launch.
When I was in college less than two years ago, people regularly referred to Jewish sorority girls as JAPs. Maybe Skenazy’s kids haven’t heard the stereotype because they’re too young. I learned about the stereotype in eighth grade at a Jewish day school, and have been hearing the term ever since.
I should note, though, that in my generation both men and women are liable to be called JAPs, with Jewish men sometimes referred to as “Jewish American Princes.” At least we’re somewhat egalitarian about it.
Ben Sales
New York, N.Y.
The writer is editor of the national Jewish student magazine New Voices.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
