Today, a decree in the United States was officially passed called the Anti-Semitic Consciousness Act. This decree will suppress all expression, literature, films, and paintings that are portrayal of Jews. This reminds me of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, which contains a lot of complaints about Jews in the original version, and the merchant character is full of crazy mockery of Jews. However, this work was later replaced by the West and even directly by the river, and the title of the book was also replaced, leaving only the expelled merchants.
Is there a complex emotion behind this, in addition to irony and ridicule? Behind this is the history of the expulsion and forced exile of countless Jewish writers, from Assyria to Babylon to Italy, from England to Spain, and even to all of Europe. What they have experienced is not only the change of geography, but also the loss of identity and the suffering of life. Are they wondering if this constant deportation and forced exile is really just because of where they are, their way of life, or for reasons we are not aware of?
I think deeply about this question. Perhaps we need to re-examine the history of this nation, and try to understand their pain and helplessness, rather than just superficial complaints and ridicule. Such understanding and reflection may really help us find a way to live together peacefully and avoid similar tragedies from happening again.
#以书之名#