Re: neither angry nor thoughtful?

[Sylvie Braitman <curlySylvie...>]

Ed, Thanks for a genuine answer. I can relate to much of what you describe.
Thanks for your insight,

Sylvie
----- Original Message -----
From: "Shirli Sieb" <sieb (at) sympatico(dot)ca>
To: "World music from a Jewish slant" <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2002 8:58 AM
Subject: RE: neither angry nor thoughtful?


> From: Ed Sieb:
>
>
> > Judith,
> > As far as I understand,
> > Robert reacted to a message posted by Shirli Sieb,
> > not to your message.
>
>
> My original "Arafat" comment, was an attempt at wry and cynical sarcasm,
> reminiscent of the cynical sarcasm I used to hear from my parents, when I
> was growing up.
>
> The remark is based on a certain cynical and contemptuous attitude found
in
> some groups of immigrant Jews (and in some Israelis).  When presented with
> an event or occurance which might signal a change in current social
stresses
> or which might produce changes in the social climate, this type of
> individual
> dismisses it with a contemptuous remark, usually having reference to an
> enemy.
>
> I recall hearing my friends' father contemptuously utter "Ehh...! Hitler
> would be
> pleased!"  upon hearing  that his son had purchased a BMW.
>
> In my case, living in Quebec during the turbulent '70's, we had to contend
> with
> ultra-nationalist Separatists and nationalists who focused on
> non-Francophones
> as the enemy.  Jews by the thousands flocked to French-language courses,
and
> partook of French cultural events, in an effort to both understand the
> larger French
> milieu, and develop closer contacts with it.
>
> The cynics, the curmudgeons thought little of such efforts. On hearing
that
> so-and-so
> had enrolled in a French language course, the typical remark was "Camille
> Laurin
> would be pleased" (Camille Laurin, being the dour and sanctimonious
Minister
> of
> Language of the Province of Quebec).
>
> Sorry, I thought I was being funny.
>
> Ed Sieb
>
>
>

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