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From: jik@athena.mit.edu (Jonathan I. Kamens)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish,news.misc
Subject: Re: Anti-Semitism (Jew-hatred) on the network. What should be done?
Message-ID: <8238@bloom-beacon.MIT.EDU>
Date: 1 Dec 88 00:38:08 GMT
References: <1748YZKCU@CUNYVM> <3616@phri.UUCP> <1752YZKCU@CUNYVM> <812@mailrus.cc.umich.edu>
Sender: daemon@bloom-beacon.MIT.EDU
Reply-To: jik@athena.mit.edu (Jonathan I. Kamens)
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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In article <812@mailrus.cc.umich.edu> shane@chablis.cc.umich.edu
(Shane Looker) writes:
>Here, Jews are allowed to skip classes on Jewish religious holidays.
>This is fine, but non-Jewish groups do not get the same privledges.
>They have to attend classes, etc, even if it is a religious day for
>them.

Two points:

1. I am Jewish, and I "skip" classes on Jewish holidays.  However, I
   do not consider it "skipping" classes.  I am required by my
   religion to perform things other than going to classes on those
   holidays.  I don't consider there to be any choice.
2. I don't *like* missing classes on holidays.  It's a pain in the
   ass.  It's not big privilege to have to miss classes and make up
   the work, if that's what you're saying.
3. You're in college now.  You're responsible for yourself -- I get no
   privileges when I miss classes, except maybe an extra day on an
   assignment here and there when I miss several classes, but the same
   privilege would be extended to someone who misses some classes due
   to illness.  I doubt the Jews who are "allowed to skip classes" at
   U. Mich. get any special treatment either.  They simply don't go to
   class.  Are you telling me that you don't have the option to not go
   to class if you don't want to?
4. I don't believe the last claim you make.  If you go to the teacher
   of a course and say, "I am going to be in church all day on Friday
   because it's Good Friday and I'm religious," what is he/she going
   to do, say, "I can't allow that, you will be penalized?"  I doubt
   it.  Furthermore, I doubt any teacher could get away with it.  Most
   schools in this country have provisions for students to protest
   religious discrimination on the part of faculty members.  I doubt
   that U. Mich. is an exception.
5. What does this have to do with the discussion?  While I disagree
   with the people who are complaining, I do not think they are
   complaining about the treatment of certain particular groups...
   they're complaining against racist actions in general.

  Jonathan Kamens
  MIT Project Athena