Ignorance is disappointing

The rivalry between Blue Valley North and Blue Valley Northwest has been raging for years. Recently though, this friendly competition has turned into a disgusting display of anti-Semitism.

In a cafeteria packed with roughly 800 students, Blue Valley Northwest mocked Blue Valley North for having Jewish students. Kids were seen dancing around to a popular Jewish song and doing a popular Jewish dance. This is not the first time anti-Semitism has been directed toward Blue Valley North. The administration put a video up of this little “skit” for everyone to see. The ignorance displayed by the administration after and during this event has been disappointing to say the least.

The event has shown to be a popular topic on social media websites. Although a few are admitting to the wrongs, many others are defending Blue Valley Northwest’s actions. To make things even worse, a student involved in leading this skit was Jewish.
This is a problem because if we as Jews make fun of ourselves, we are indirectly allowing others to do the same. As Jewish people, we cannot accept to live in a world where anti-Semitism is acceptable and such events can be blown off.

As we write this and the controversy rages on, we are attending BBYO International Convention with 900 Jewish teen leaders. The immense passion displayed here is both inspiring and hopeful. Meeting incredible people, like the only Jewish teen in Albania, makes us prouder to be a Jew than ever.

That being said, it is important to learn from these mistakes and grow as a Jewish people as well as a human race.

Maddy Friedman
Zach Kaseff
BBYO Kansas City Council Presidents