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Yes, Jews are overrepresented in journalism, politics, finance and other highly impactful careers. Take the percentage of Jews in such a category, divide it by the percentage of Jews in the general population, and you get a number larger than one: that is just a numerical fact. The anecdotal version of this simple statistic is that you see a lot of Jewish names. But that is not proof of any conspiracy or nefarious scheme: it is simply the result of the high value Jewish culture places on learning. I think we all see that. However, when there is a similar, or even lower, rate of overrepresentation for other demographics in other categories, suddenly the conspiracy theory becomes common sense. Too many males in tech because of sexism. Too many whites amongst entrepreneurs because of racism. For lots of people, and an even larger share of the media, that is an obvious fact that requires no justification. This is what I find unbearable: that the exact same statistical signal is obvious proof of evil with some categories, while to even suggest the same of others is beyond the pale. Even making this comparison is wrongthink in the eyes of some. And I want to make peace with it, but I cannot. The mind rebels. It will not bend. And that is why, as much as I love the Jews, I find myself unable to muster any outrage over this extension, until the same outrage is afforded to other categories. Not even outrage: the same defense. The same presumption of innocence. Or at least, the same non-presumption of guilt. Can't we even have that? |