Always see the driver and not the vehicle

When I was growing up in Newark in the 40s the “race-cards” were constantly being thrown around.

Being a little Jewish kid I was subjected to being called a “Kike”, a “Jew bagel”, a “Heeb”, and a “Sheeny”.

The Italians were the “Wops”, the Dagos, and the Ginnies”.

The Irish were the “Micks”

The Germans were the “Krauts”.

The non-Jews were the “Goys”.

Non-Jewish girls were “Shicksas” and the non-Jewish men were a “Shagatz”.

The African Americans were the “n” word, “Jigaboos”, “Colored”, “Coons”, “Tar Babies” or “Aunt Jamaimas.”

This was my life in the East Coast. And if some label was in the territory of a different …read more