Dispatch Faith: Jews Shouldn’t Need to Check a Government Box — Flora Cassen
Summary
Flora Cassin argues against California’s proposal to add a Jewish ancestry box to state forms, fearing it entrenches group identity rather than fostering equality. She contrasts this with historian Marc Bloch, who maintained his Jewish identity privately while asserting his French citizenship until forced to confront anti-Semitism. Cassin contends that a robust democracy should aim to eliminate such categories, ensuring citizens belong as equals without needing official labels to validate their status or combat discrimination.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Author's background and reaction to California's Jewish ancestry box
SB 1387: Arguments for data collection to measure discrimination and health disparities
The complexity of Jewish identity and the limitations of current racial categories
The value of anonymity: Why the 'white' box offers freedom from disclosure
Marc Bloch: A historian who prioritized French secularism over Jewish identity
Bloch's testament: Asserting Jewish identity in the face of persecution
Conclusion: Building a democracy where ethnic boxes are unnecessary
Listen ad-free on Castria