Challenging Racial and Cultural Discrimination

How One Jewish Woman Addresses Antisemitism in the Workplace

Upon my daily glance at my LinkedIn feed, I came across a post from a woman whom I greatly respect: Carol Tice. Carol is a professional writer who specializes in ghostwriting books.

In her post, Carol writes about the antisemitism she faces and how she deals with it head-on. Please take a moment to read these important words she recently penned:

“When I take a first meeting now with authors for potential book ghostwriting collabs, I wear my Chai necklace and say: “I want to tell you upfront that I’m Jewish.”

Jew hatred is real and widespread. I’m at the point where I want to qualify prospects around this right away. Seriously, if you’ve decided we’re all evil, if you believe antisemitic tropes from antiquity that we’re secretly controlling everything, or you think as an American Jew I have any control over or necessarily agree with what Israel is doing… I’d rather find out right away so we can both move on.

I am happy to work with Islamic clients and have mentored many Muslim writers over the years. I believe it’s how we build world peace, by getting to know each other as individuals. So I’m here to work with anyone who has a similar outlook. But I want to avoid having an awkward convo halfway into a project when it turns out you believe antisemitic lies.”

I was deeply impacted by her statement. I can’t imagine what it feels like to face such deep hatred as Jews do on a daily basis. It makes my stomach churn just thinking about it.

Like Carol, I too am a freelance writer. I work with a handful of clients scattered around the world, including one Jewish gentleman from Tel Aviv who was drafted into the Israeli army when the most recent conflict with Palestine began.

My heart goes out to him and everyone who is suffering because of this war between neighboring countries. I pray for a speedy end and a peaceful resolution as soon as possible to this and all other wars.

Please think deeply and honestly about your biases toward any race or religion and ask yourself if you feel any twinge of superiority over someone or hatred for them because they are different from you in any way. Try to imagine how you’d feel if you were in their position.

Kudos to Carol for dealing openly and honestly in telling prospective clients about her faith and her respect for everyone, regardless of their race, nationality, religion, or anything else that makes them different from her.

May we all learn from her example and show the same tolerance, compassion, and courage.