November 11th, 1947
Dear Ms. Kathy Lacy,
Overhearing your conversation with that Jewish military man
in the bar earlier today, I am sure that you still have doubts over your
identity -- not as a wealthy, white woman, but as an anti-semite. I am just as
sure that you are now offended as I am sure that you know, deep down in
yourself, that I am correct in making this statement. But, Ms. Lacy, I would
greatly appreciate if you would finish reading this letter even after all of
the things I am about to say. Ms. Lacy you are an anti-semite, a racist, and
any other logical classification associated with prejudice. But you are not
alone. As I believe your former fiance has already clarified for you, prejudice
is not manifested only in your outspoken disdain or mistreatment of another
individual for an aspect of their identity that they cannot control. The
recently infamous images of Hitler-hailing Nazis and KKK leaders that I am sure
you are familiar with, are only a fraction of the prejudice that exists in the
world today. A much larger fraction is the unspoken, almost nuanced, and
internalized instances where you, and most others in the world, look
differently upon someone because of their race, religion, or any other defining
factor. Ms. Lacy, you are an anti-semite when you say that you are happy to not
be Jewish -- or to not be black. Because in doing so, you are implying that
there is an inherent negativity in Jewish and “colored” identity. But I do not
blame you for thinking this, for it is only human nature to look upon those who
are treated worse than you and be thankful that you do not possess the
distinguishing factor of which those individuals are treated worse for. In this
sense, all Americans, all humans, are anti-semitic and racist. But it is how we
realize and address this, that determines our character -- and I hope you
recognize this now.
Best,
An Observer