Points of Views
From Jerusalem
Points of Views
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0202 – Points of View from Jerusalem

#0202_A_View_From_West_Jerusalem

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I planned to study for finals at the university in Ein Kerem today to be in a learning conducive atmosphere. The bus stopped at the entrance to the campus. Rows of diligent students entered campus to begin another day of reading over course summaries and writing assignments they’ve pushed off all semester.

They all enter. No one checks their backpacks and no one asks for their student IDs. From anyone. Except for the Ethiopian guy.

‘Hey you!,’ the security guard calls out to him at the entrance. 'Where are you going?’

As I read, I tell myself that there is no chance. No way is it because of his skin color. Maybe he dropped something. Maybe, just maybe.
The guy did not even think the guard was calling out to him. After all, why would they ask him such a question? And so, he keeps going. To the aforementioned learning conducive atmosphere.

The security guard grabs the man by his arm to stop him and asks him, humiliatingly and disrespectfully: ‘You study here? What would a guy like you be doing here?’

Everyone keeps going.
This is routine.

I slow my pace, let people pass. My heart is racing. I must be hallucinating. This did not just happen, this does not happen.

The guy died of shame, let go of his girlfriend's hand, and took out his ID card. He does so embarrassed but at the same time, even those who are already familiar and painful, from encounters with such phenomenal and innovative experiences in the past.

I go to the security guard at the entrance. I hold myself back from crying. Hold it deep inside me. I think to myself that if the guy going through this didn't cry, you have no right.
‘Did you stop him because he is Ethiopian?,’ I ask.
I’m genuinely asking. I can’t understand or grasp this reality. My stomach aches, the tears begin to form.

‘Come on,’ he replies. 'What do you really think a guy like that has to do here?'”

– Jerusalem News posted in Jerusalemites FB Group

[Selected Comments:]
– “Disgusting. Awful security guard.”
– “The audacity! We have to fire him. Who is this guy anyway?”
– “You know I, of course, agree this is disgusting and racist, but in this case, what is there to do?”

#Diversity #Racism #Stereotyping #University

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