From the inbox: Dear Editor, this is a true event that happened earlier this evening when a census bureau worker knocked on my door.
Op-Ed: Chillul Hashem and a Census Bureau Worker
From the inbox: Dear Editor, this is a true event that happened earlier this evening when a census bureau worker knocked on my door.
To all Crown Heights Residents,
I am a Shlucha who boards at my grandparents house and attends Beis Rivkah High School. Earlier this evening, I heard the doorbell ring, and when I went to the door, I saw an African American woman wearing her badge which clearly identified her as a census worker.
I opened the door and she explained to me that she is going to all the homes who did not send in their census forms. She told me that this is for our benefit so we can have better representation in Congress. I gave her all the necessary information.
When I was done, she gave me a couple of addresses on my block and asked me if I knew the names of the individuals who live there.
She told me that when she is in this neighborhood ringing peoples doors, most people dont answer, and if they do they tell her to come back later, or that they can not give out such personal information. (Mind you….it is just your date of birth, gender, and first and last name.) One lady even told her that her Rabbi does not allow her to fill out such forms.
This lady told me that she lives on Carroll street between Brooklyn and New York and that she has a good relationship with her Jewish neighbors, but she suspects that the reason people don’t answer their doors is because she is African American.
As I felt bad for the Chilul Hashem that people were making, I offered to go with her to a few houses on my block that she needed the information from.
Interesting enough, when people saw me with her, they opened their doors. Once I explained what she was doing, some people cooperated with her and gave her the information, however majority of the people were rude.
One lady came to the door and told us that her son was not supposed to open the door for us and that she is not the owner of the house so she can not help us. (She is my neighbor.. I know it is her house..)
I can write several more rude things that the census worker told me people told her. Perhaps it is because I did not grow up in Crown Heights, but my point is that I feel a person should not be judged by their skin color but by their action.
In the future no matter who comes to your door, you should treat them with simple courtesy and mentchlichkeit and that way you will be making a Kiddush Hashem instead of a Chilul Hashem.
Milhouse
You are being foolish, and your neighbours who are older than you are also wiser. First of all, how do you know that this person isn’t a criminal, or working with criminals to gain access to people’s houses? The census bureau employs all sorts of people, and there have been plenty of incidents that could have been prevented if people were less trusting.
Second, some people are nervous about giving the government personal information when they can avoid doing so. One never knows how this information will be used. If you think you can trust the assurances that the information will be kept strictly confidential, think again. When the government rounded up the Japanese in 1942, they got the names and addresses from the census bureau. There is NO guarantee that it won’t happen again.
Third, information like race is none of the government’s business, and the less cooperation they get on this the better.
Fourth, the census determines congressional representation, and it’s in our interest that Brooklyn get LESS representation, not more. We are outnumbered and outvoted by our neighbors, whose interests are the opposite of ours. So we should try to reduce the census numbers for our area, not increase them.
anonymous
People should also know that the census information helps the government gauge where services are needed (police, fire, medical, etc.).
Some people are paranoid about this stuff but that’s ridiculous. If you don’t provide it, the government will have to spend extra time (and our tax money) digging it up.
not nice
i think it’s rude that your writing this..people obviously know that its about them and maybe some peoples parents were not home and .. mind you but i can assure you it wasnt kuz she is african american!
Rochel
Good job. I agree with the Shlucha. We need more like her.
ben
Be carefull opening the door to strangers!
this just happened:
Fake Census Bureau Reps Stage Home Invasion
http://www.crownheights.inf…
BigBen
I agree with Millhouse. Why do you think they are trying so hard to “count” as many people as possible? Because that gives the Govmnt a reason to increase all sorts of programs (i.e. tax). But who pays for these programs? The Govmnt does not pay for it you and I (i.e. working zhlobs) pay for it. So the less they count the more you keep to spend on food and rent.
I don’t appreciate to be lectured by some, naeeeeve beyound words, out-of-town kid. If she wants to be nice to her neighbors let her offer them some assitance with babysiiting.
Eli B
Millhouse,
your statement makes this whole story worse not better:
1) it doesn’t sound like people were cautious or suspicious, they were rude. CH’ers are not partuculary polite to their ownm so much more so ‘others’.
2) The Census is not an ‘Obama-the-foreign born-muslim-marxist-anti-semite’ plot; it’s federally manadated-like jury duty ( wanna get into that?)
alot of things have happened since ’42,that’s why we live in a democracy ( unless you listen to red-neck hannity) thathas an electoral system. Get involved.
It-s the law
People it’s the law, you could be fined if you do not respond to the census. Obviously, all precautions must be taken…
Incidentally, a census worker can enter you house/apartment without your consent!
Smarty Pants
Being rude is also a freedom of expression.
In any case they can get the same numbers from the irs, so there’s no reason for this whole charade called census…its not 1840 anymore.
Joeseph
How about completing the Census in the first place.. it doesnt ask if youre jewish. it just asks if your white. they arent rounding you up like Japanese… People are just lazy.. and then make excuses to cover it up. if youre not home, they keep coming back until they get you. so you might as well open it , if they produce the right ID. and if you still unsure.. use a chain on your door.
To paranoid Milhouse
“There is NO guarantee that it won’t happen again”
There is also no guarantee you won’t be run over by a car crossing your street.Why take a chance leaving?
Leah
Kol Hakavod!!
The point of this article is showing us that we have to be more kind to people that live in our neighborhood!! Obviously one should be weary of who comes knocking at your door but instead of being rude and obnoxious, show them some courtesy – they will give it to us right back – and not to mention cause a great kiddush Hashsem!! Stop judging these people – most of them are just trying to make an honest living, like ourselves!!
David
These self righteous letters are getting way out of control.
Its well understood why people do not open the door! and it has nothing to do with racism.
MILHOUSE SAID IT BEST!
Moshiach
Watch out for who u give ur info to cuz there’s a lot o ID theft
Be Aware
This article has addressed a very touchy issue. The writer has a point, HOWEVER, recently yidden are very wary of African Americans. The reason? armed robbery. Unfortunatly, we dont trust them any more, especially after the recent armed robberies in CH. A tip for the wise: Dont open your door to ANY STRANGER (white or black) unless there is an able bodied male in your house, and you feel comfortable with the person on the other side of the door. This though, is no excuse to be rude. Good luck!
THEY WILL GET FINED!
To number 1 give me a break!! They send people who usually live on the block to represent (they get paid for it)!! This too happened on my block but you know what- to bad on whoever doesn’t fill it out because THEY WILL GET FINED!
Be polite
Millhouse, you live in CH if teh Gov wanted to round up Jews your pretty screwed census or not. Also you are clearly paranoid and closed minded. That being said there is no excuse for rudness it only creates Chilul Hashem. If you dont want to provide info you can nicely and politly say you just mailed out teh census form.
I do not live in CH and I have many non jewish nieghborss of differant nationalites. Everyday when I leave my house I make a kiddush hashem by being polite and friendly. That does not mean I have to be buddy buddys with them, but you can smile and say hello. The actions discribed above do not help teh niehberhood, anytime I am in NY ppl are complaining about the black ppl CH…What do you think they think of us?
rdz
of course one needs to be careful about any one they open the door to. nevertheless, the census is very beneficial for Crown Heights. Regarding Milhouse and the allegation that Census information was used to round up Japanese in 1942, is there any proof? I have never heard of that before. (it may be true, just I have never heard that and would like to see some proof.)
lastly, please everyone answer the census. it get money for crown heights programs. we need more government programs, not less
GO SHLUCHA!!! :)
i totally agree!!
it doesn’t heart to just say nicely that you don’t feel comfortable instead of just slamming the door!!
come on people grow up!!
treat others the way you would like to be treated!!
DEAR MS NIEVE
ITS NOT BECAUSE SHE IS BLACK. YOU ARE PRITY NIEVE AND SHOULD CONSULT OLDER PEOPLE BEFORE SAYING SUCH LOSHON HARA ON A CUMMUNITY. SHE ACTUALY SUCCERED YOU INTO MAKING SOME PEOPLE DO WHAT THEY REALY DID NOT WANT TO.
BY THE WAY THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS A WARRENT TO GET INTO YOUR HOUSE UNLESS ITS A REAL EMERGENCY.
Ariela Yael
I am a census worker in University Place, WA. and you wouldn’t believe how I’ve been treated: cussed and sworn at, doors slammed in my face, told off in a nasty way, and one threat to call the police on me(I told them to go ahead and call but they didn’t). Apartment managers are not cooperative either; they complained that I was annoying the tenets. I don’t understand this attitude–it’s just the census! and it’s not like I’m asking intimate questions. I filled out my census form so what is their problem?
Anonymous
Milhouse said, “it’s in our interest that Brooklyn get LESS representation, not more. We are outnumbered and outvoted by our neighbors.”
This makes perfect (non)sense! Stay invisible so you don’t get representation. OOOOOOK.
BigBen said, “let her offer them some assitance with babysiiting”
Way to be misogynistic. Your handle should be SMALLBen to reflect your mindset.
English Language
PEOPLE!!! SPELL-CHECK PLEASE! (I know that’s the least of the issues in this world but it is so horrible to be reading a public post that is so misspelled)
Mush
Hmmmmm,
this is interesting.
I would open the door. Ask to see the badge. And then give info.
@21
@21 read blogs.ajc.com/bob-barr-blog/2010/05/26/census-workers-can-enter-your-apartment-in-your-absence/
Census Worker, Boro Park
No 1. COMFORT with the Census Taker is why in Boro Park and
Williamsburgh there was a big effort to hire Chassidishe Chevrei to go to the Yiddishe homes. We hired many heimishe people, B’H, but, for some reason, it was very difficult to get enough of us interested in doing the work.
No 2. Benefits to politicians.
I hear this all the time,“they just want an excuse to
make more money…”
Do those who print the money really need the Census
for that?! Come on!
Furthermore, let’s say they do have what to gain. Does that mean we should jeopardize our interests just to prevent politicians from making money?
The government has over 400 BILLION dollars to distribute nationwide – to every state, city and district. This pays for the services we take for granted such as hospitals, roads, fire departments and other such needs. Now, we are a city with a population in the millions. But, Milhouse would like it to be, let’s say, in the thousands, hundreds, tens, etc. So, instead of getting money enough for 7-9 million, we’ll only get enough for a thousand or less! Try living in a place like that!!!
Rather be safe than sorry
It has nothing to do with the fact that she is african american, she is a stranger coming to your house, asking for personal info….this woman came to my home, and speaking through the intercom (i never go to the door if i see it is a stranger) she told me she was from the census bureau, i told her already filled out the forms i received in the mail, but she said there was still more info she needed. I was suspicious and told her i couldnt help her, i did my job by filling out the forms, i dont think its rude to not want to give out any more info, especially to a stranger who shows up to my door. Incidentally, i dont open the door to any Jew who is a stranger to me as well, and i teach my children the same, a stranger is a stranger, and in this day and age you cant be too careful.
Refreshing!!!!!
Good for you.
Mazal tov parents and grandparents, you have raised a first-class mentsch!
Whoever will one day be zoche to this shidduch will be very very lucky!
ashrekh, veashrenu!
elki
Why didn’t residents send in their forms the way you’re supposed to? The census takers only go to homes from which no census form was sent in. That is the first chilul Hashem which would not have led to this whole story.
I sent mine back the minute I got it – took me 5 minutes and sent it back – not because I’m a great citizen, because I didn’t want to have to deal with a stranger at my door with a Census badge.
All True
I was once told that census people carry guns. They shoot you when your not looking. DONT open your door to them. They are cruel.
White vs. Black
I dont care what anyone says. Im wary of ALL black people. Dont even get me STARTED about calling them “African American”!
What gave them the right to be called “African American”?
Are they African? Being called African denotes that they were born in Africa.Most of them are actually born here.
It became a “thing” to call them “African American” which is “politically correct”. “Oh no, dont call them black otherwise you’ll offend them, and they will riot” or some other stupid thing that animals do.
If that’s the case, we should be called “White American” or “White Anglo Saxon”. But no, were not referred to as that, rather we are referred to as “Whites” so too should they be referred to as “Blacks”.
there are fakes
A supposed Cencus representative showed up at my door, no idea, nothing showing that she was from any official office – not only that, she had scraps of paper with her with names and address. I thought, this can’t be real, I would assume that things would have been more organized with computerized forms and badges for them to wear. But, no, I wasn’t rude, just persistent that I had already sent in my forms (which I had), but she wouldn’t give up – she was just as persistent that I should just fill them out again for her. I’m sorry, that was unacceptable and I would have loved to slam the door in her face, but still I didn’t, it’s RUDE!!!
Anonymous
To “DEAR MS NIEVE”:
The shlucha had a negative experience in the community and is trying to enlighten people about it. There is nothing wrong with that. It’s unfortunate that some here have called her naive, put her down, and that you’ve said she should consult someone older. Older does not make wiser or more kind. It’s the negativity and cynicism in communities that is causing the youth to go off the derech. She is attempting to be a light unto others and that should be praised.
Additionally, a warrant is not needed to go into a house. Homeland Security can go into anyone’s house without a warrant which is why police bring them on raids for immigrants. Census workers also do not go into a person’s house nor do they ask to.
Thanku
To ‘Refreshing!!!”
I absolutely agree… for a young high school girl to write such an article from the depths of her heart–all i can say is.. WOW! and yasher koach! You are the type of girl that our community needs to see way more of… High five to beis rivkah for helping produce such a girl with such great middos!
Nora
I think this is an excellent post. You sound like a wonderful young woman. Your parents and grandparents should be very proud.
I don’t buy the excuses about safety that people are making. Of course children should be trained not to open the door to strangers. However, we are talking about adults who do open their doors and then are inexcusably rude. When a stranger comes to your door, you either don’t respond or you go outside to speak with them, not letting them into your house or apartment. Then, you are polite. I really can’t understand why people think that giving out your name and birthdate is part of some sinister conspiracy. The requirements for a census are in the constitution. Would you also have refused to participate in the census at Sinai?
For those of you complaining about government spending, congratulations. You have made the government spend more money on census workers because you could not spend 3 minutes to fill out a form and mail it back.
Lucky Charms
I totally agree with Milhouse.
Many of us are private people who value our privacy dearly. It isn’t just how we were brought up under Communism – it’s a democratic ideal!
I don’t give out ANY information about myself (not even my name and certainly not my birthdate) unless I am required to by law.
Read the Bill of Rights – a right is lost if it isn’t excercised!
Know your rights – you don’t need to open your door for the police unless they have a warrant (or in hot pursuit)!
Lucky Charms, 2
I agree with Milhouse!
To add another point –
Help the economy by NOT filling the forms
If we all filled out the census forms, this poor young lady would be unemployed (maybe even collecting welfare), why begrudge her a livelihood???
Not filling out the form creates jobs, boosts the economy, keeps young people out of mischief, gives them excercise and plenty of fresh air…
@21
@29
I returned mine too and they still called and came to my house. The whole ordeal took literally 10 minutes. I made sure she had all the credentials… It really took quick!
Lucky Charms, 3
I agree with Milhouse!
To the writer: Chillul Hashem??? Do you know the definition of chillul Hashem?? Chillul Hashem is a specific term and you are abusing it!
Is it a chillul Hashem to refuse to open your door to a stranger? Must I become a doormat to avoid a stranger feeling slighted?
Lucky Charms, 4
Do you want to know what chillul Hashem is? Writting an article that is mekabel loshen horah about yidden and speaking disparaging about a community of am hakodesh – that, dear writer is a chillul Hashem!
Israel Clpaman
The Census is a part of the Constitution if you don’t like it Move the hell out of this country!
Second of all we already made a Chillul Hashem bye not mailing them in, so now we are costing tens of thousands of dollars making people come knock on our doors.
3d if you think your smart not answering, you are being more foolish they will keep on coming back, and the supervisors will think you have something to hide so then they might really do a Census job on you!
My advice open the door, say hello and offer them some juice or soda while you answer the 10 simple constitutional questions.
Mandy
Yeah the less money the crown height community council has for all the lazy frum welfare queens, the happier the rest of us taxpayers are… So hey, don’t open the door don’t fill out the forms because the scary scary brown peple are coming to get youooooooo
it-s your fault if the knock
This may sound crazy but- if you fill out the census- no one will knock on your door. (if a fake representative comes and knocks, you will know it’s a criminal because you sent in your census. If you don’t fill out your census- someone WILL come knock on your door. This can’t be that complicated.
owner
i sent my census report back as soon as i got it since then i have had phone calls every day on my cel phone saying they need to ask mesome questions for about 20 minutes of my time i told them to call me back after 7pm not during my working hours and minutes on my cel. every time i see 866…. i just disconnect. Well last week i finally asked them why dont you stop calling me they just wanted to know who lives in apartment 3 the basement because my report said belongs to owner no one lives there. case i hope closed but beware what they ask you!
Mendy Hecht
Let me explain this: The reason some Jews in Crown Heights are not opening their doors to, or shooing off, black census workers is because they have lived in this neighborhood long enough and have heard and/or experienced enough horror stories involving black criminals that they are simply afraid of black people.
And, by the way, so are black people afraid of black people–in other words, it has nothing to do with race: It has to do with fear of strangers coming to your door. Ask this census worker whether it’s only the Jews or also the blacks who are mistreating her and I’ll bet you that it’s both.
In this neighborhood, citizens of both groups are simply afraid of criminals.
RebYid
Milhouse, you are hilarious!!! Wrong, but hilarous!
sarah
Why does the Census need anything more than how many
people live in the house. If you are calculating fire,
police, money given to communities, all you need is
a count of people. I also believe that Yidden have a
valid Post-Holocaust Fear of information given out
with regards to who lives in the house, how many etc.
With anti-semitism on the rise…having records of
specific names and ages of a household in a Jewish
neighborhood scares people. Gut Voch!
Daniel
Shlucha; you are sooooo naive!!
ENOUGH!!
Garbage. Between the mistrust those of us of Russian heritage and Soviet origins or descent have of the government and traditional Jewish aversion to being counted, I am surprised anyone sent back the forms.
Why do you publish this self hating apology for rightfully being suspicious in a high crime area, especially as there have been reports of fake census workers committing crimes in Brooklyn.
oot
Its interesting, we live out of town we sent our forms in and so did my mother but both had census show up b/c “the forms got lost and its happening around the country” The workers should have a badge with their name and ID number and can give you a number to the census to call and make sure they are legitimate! We are frustrated that we have to do it all again after filling out the forms already but keep in mind the person coming to the door is not the one who lost the form he/she is just doing their job. Now I understand not opening the door to a stranger in NYC could be dangerous?!
To ben:
That happens once in a lifetime. I think people are always so scared.
Oh give me a break
1) We have to obey the law of the land. This is a constitutional requirement.2) anyone from Russia might be afraid of governtment, but anyone NOT born there- baloney crap. That;s like the blacks now wanting something because their ancestors were slaves.
Census is taken every ten years. Please, peop-le, how have you suffered because of the last census?
I love when people hate or afraid of the government but take every penny coming to them and then some- like all the section8, food stamps, medicaid by people who don’t even really qualify…………………..
I though do not believe the young lady should have given names to the worker- it is not her place to do so.
Shmuel
Over there by Crown Heights, they should get sperlin, cohen, poltorek, fishelson, Rabbi Osdoba, Rabbi Shvei, and Catana and have them go door to door with the census people. Anybody who does not participte in the census is outright committing an chilul Hashem and a chilul Lubavitch. The census is in the Torah, for the aibishter’s sake. and the Rebbe supported the government and the government funds all generated by the census.
Anash wake up and stop with the shtetl mentality. the only losers will be yourselves if you don’t
Reason for census!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
14th amendment: In Article 1, Section 2, the Constitution includes the phrase:
[An] Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.
(the Govt has to have a census every 10 years. It is a constitutional law)(stop with the conspiracy theories)!!!
me
You guys are total idiots, ask yourself perhaps WHY those Jews refused to be counted. As I child I remember other girls telling me not to count us and if we want we should say “Not one, not two…”. I’ve been told it is out of fear to ever be counted again since the Holocaust.
I grew up in Crown Heights, my neighbors were middle to upper class blacks and we treated each other like good old neighbors minus “borrowing the sugar”.
please...
first of all they aren’t entering your house and You have the right to ask for identification.
Second of all if I remember correctly ( i filled it out and sent it when I first got it) the form does not ask for names, just information about members of the household. If people would just fill out the form when they get it in the first place, we wouldn’t have this problem. It takes less than 3 min to fill the form out and send it back…
los angeles
my kids open the door for no one. black, white, jew. even mishulochim dont get past the gate. i give them money thru the gate.once you let them in you lose control.
#42 elitist Mandy
#42 Mandy please keep your sarcasm to your elitist self.
“The Brown People” have mugged, raped, murdered, and lied to the police about us for 50 years.
To not be wary would be plain recklessness.
U Got It Wrong!!
HEr true point which is 100% right… is be a mentch.. whether or not u want to give ur info over is another story.. just be polite and a mentch and make a kiddush hashem.. reread the article if u dont understand that as her main point..
mentch
ppl- read with ur eyes– she just wants u to be mentch!
keep it up
stop
stop fighting
sic and tired
Dear little miss Shlucha.
I live in Crown Heights and have for the past 36 years. When a black or African american (who never saw africa) came to my door as a census agent. I was very polite and gave him all the info he asked for. just for the record! But your attitude really BUGS the heck out of me. You have this holier than thou attitude. How dare you knock people who live in this jungle amongst jungle animals. I live in an apartment house with black neighbors and am very neighborly and friendly with any one of them that acts like a decent human being, regardless of their skin color but that doesn’t excuse the countless times my home was broken into, ransacked, violated and robbed by black skinned African American human beings! Including the night I woke up at 2:30 a.m. to find a black, south african, human being in my bedroom doorway! When you go thru these experiences you can come back and sing the same song. NOT BEFORE! but I don’t think you’d be sayig the same things then. oh, I forgot to mention; two cars of mine and my husbands, and a third, my sons that got stollen and my latest car broken into several times, and my daughters car, broken into and robbed. and not by rude Jews of Crown Heights but by black African(who’ve never seen Africa-and probably don’t even know where the heck it is)human beings!! When that happens to you, let’s see how you will react!!! Get off your high horse, little lady and start being L’kaf z“chus. And by you going with her to prove her point YOU created the bigger chilul Hashem!!!! and if you don’t like the fact that crown heightsers are not brought up as ”WONDERFULLY“ (egotistically) as you from ”out of town” then you shouldn’t be here!!! and if you are here benefiting from whatever it is this Terrible neighborhood has to offer, then stop spitting in its face!!!
shes right!!
last two comments are very true.. stop the nasty comments.. Dont make a chillul hashem and be a mentch. If you dont want to give your information… be polite and say you are not willing to do this. They understand and will not bother you or rob your house or whatever else some of these ridiculos comments are saying
LALA
I AGREE WITH 28!!!!!!!!!
GOOOOOOO 28!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ARTICLE TOGETHER!!!!
MAY PEOPLE LEARN FROM YOU!!!!
Jason
What does her being “African American” have to do with her skin color? I suspect you are confusing AA (cultural identity) with being Black (skin color). Not all Blacks are AA, and not all AAs are Black (believe it or not).
Rabbi Pinchos Woolstone
It is appropriate that one checks the identity of the census workers, especially if one feels uneasy.
However, there is a way to do that;with mentchlechkeit.
They is no place for being condescending towards our non-Jewish neighbors, who in most cases take this particular job in order to feed their children.
Racism is an anathema to Torah and Chassidus.
Rabbi Pinchos Woolstone
People of all backgrounds steal, cheat, lie, murder and rape.
Including black brown white and yellow and both Jews and gentiles.
Where did this sense of false superiority emanate from ?.
Why do we need to denigrate others in order to elevate ourselves.
If we act as the Torah and Chassidus demands the non Jewish world will follow.
Its all in our hearts and minds……….if we truly believe in our own rhetoric
Anonymous
Please that lady played you all along. She probably saw the horrified look in your eyes when people were rude and refused to open doors. I am sure all around New York, Census Workers are getting the cold shoulder, of course they are, this is New York. The census worker is going to the houses of people who did not send in their forms, she can expect a couple of frowns. Let us play this scenario with a white guy in a suit with a census badge- let me tell you he will probably get the same rude answers as the lady, the only difference is in your reaction. Seems like you are a sweet good natured girl who stands up to what you believe in, but don’t be too quick to raise the Chillul Hashem banner.
Malki
ELKI I’m with you! just fill it our by mail, why hassle with this???
do ur duties!
had u filled in ur papers..they wouldnt have been at ur door. thank them for being on top of u for not doing ur civil duties…
Would you?
People have such nasty things to say.. I bet you it is because he had the guts to help out a goy… now which one of us exactly would have done that to try and prove to her that our community is a decent place?!!?
Wondering Israeli
the behavior toward that lady is a direct outcome of the education to and culture of arrogance that the crown heights residents are so well versed in it.
where is the jewish moral of loving every god’s creature?
please enlighten me!
C. W.
I have never heard such ignorant people speak out. The way u hate black people..the way u think u are over and above filling out a required form..the way u tell that girl to come babysit for me..what is wrong with our people????What makes u have the right to be so mean about things that go on??Are u better than them??The young girl who tried to help was trying her best yes it is embarrassing when your own people think they are above the law and dont have to do what is expected of them.But I’m sure u are there first to get all the free programs the gov. gives out….Hey I work and pay my taxes I resent that more that filling out a lousy form.
Enough Again
Actually I agree that we should fill in and send in the forms while I fully understand the reasons that some do not send them in.
However, not opening your door to strangers is a survival tactic in the urban area where we live and that is the end of it. This rabble rouser just used the girl who wrote the article and being naive and young she ate up the lie and reproduced it so that SHE caused the chilul Hashem and could cause worse as people may now feel bad and open the door to the samach mem on 2 legs who poses as a census worker or other official.
There was a clear incident in the area of a crime committed by criminals posing as census workers and we must be vigilant.
Send the form, and keep your door shut. While I understand the reluctance of some to send it in we only gain by doing so.
Enough Again
Also, IF what the census worker says is true (every indication is that she is a Sharptonite and in any case al pi halacha she has zero neemonus) and even if it isn’t, responding rudely is inexcusable. Totally inexcusable.
So, send in the forms and keep your doors closed. Save the rudeness for missionaries and known fraudsters; it is a mitzvah to scare them into never coming back.
62!
To #62.. obviously a crown heights farmer.. she has no attitude.. u have the attitude… awww so u have all these horror stories.. so sorry to hear… ur comment definitely does not add to her point-be a mentch. nothing to do with wether or not clacks have seen africa or wether or not they are all good or bad people.. just make a kiddush hashem (like she did_ and quit your attitude. sheesh are u nasty! o hyes, stop dissing ur own neighborhood!
ADMIT IT!!
NOthing to do with opening ur doors or sending in your forms.. dont want to open? fine tell them that thru the screen if ur too scared to open.. sheesh u people have got it all wrong. 62-what a rude comment. You are just in plain and simple english-NASTY! she does not have the attitude- you do. You just can not believe that a young teenage girl (from a shlichus home – better yet!) out did you even after being in Crown HEights for 36 years.. Yup she our did you and made a kiddush hashem! admit it!
Rabbi Pinchos Woolstone
The vile racism which emanates from so many postings is difficult to stomach.
I sounds like the hateful rhetoric which was a hallmark of “redneck” whites in the deep south not so long ago.
The Torah does not permit us to use repulsive name and epitaphs for any human being except for a person like hitler yemach shemo.
The adults are setting who use these terms should be ashamed of themselves
WILL NOT BE A HOLOCAUST
I, a census worker, can understand holocaust
concerns because that is how the Germans, Y“SH,
knew who was Jewish. They simply looked at the census information where the religion listed was Jewish.
This is much different, and I don’t think there is what to worry about.
1. The census does not ask what your religion is. Just state
your race: White, Hispanic, African, Asian,etc.
2. The Rebbe was quoted, saying that there will never again
be a massacre of such a large scale, like the Holocaust.
But, even if you don’t hold from the Rebbe, CH”V, THINK!
It’s no big secret that Israel is a nuclear power. So, if
CH”V they start up like that again…I would like to
think that that will be some kind of deterrant.
As far as Iran, I don’t think that the majority of
normal countries, even US enemies, want to see a nuclear
conflict in the Mideast.
A NAIVE ADULT
# 72 I TRIED TO HELP A BLACK PERSON .SHE WAS DRESSED UP AS AN OLD LADY WITH A CANE AND SHE ASKED ME TO CLOSE HER BUTTON ON HER COAT. BEING A NAIVE OUT OF TOWN PERSON [GREW UP IN CROWN HEIGHTS AND THOUGHT BLACKS HAVE LEARNED AND BECOME DECENT]I HELPED HER. five minutes later i realized she took off my beautiful expensive bracelet my husband bought me as a gift! GONE ! ROBBED! i am still traumatized thinking about it! DECENT BLACK PEOPLE ONLY HAVE THEIR OWN TO BLAME! unfortunately the good black people suffer. MAYBE THE DECENT ONES TO PREACH DECENCY, HARD WORK TO THEIR BROTHERS ! UNTIL THERE IS A CHANGE STAY AWAY FROM ALL BLACKS! DO NOT HELP WHEN THEY ASK YOU BECAUSE YOU WILL BE ROBBED OR CHAS V’SHALOM WORSE!
esther
you guys are all being immature idiots she wrote a very nice and true article you dont have to make world war 3 over it. GET OVER IT. shes a mentch and thats that. stop making crap up about being afraid to open up the door to “anyone” its the census u have to fill it our for YOUR own benefit .
out of towner
i am not trying to judge or anything, but when i go in to CH the way that people act towards me is, with a lack of a better way to put it, rude. no smile, no good morning, instead i get weird looks and even a push or shove. why? i am a frum jew and you can’t have respect for me? please try to be a tiny bit friendlier to people, this crazy world needs some humanity.
Sholom Z.
go 81! listen to all the garbage going on here. the girl is 1000% right.. fill in your darn forms and shutup.. these comments are disgusting (unoless of course you are saying nice things which she only deserves:) ) especially after the nasty things that people wrote to her..
hiddenyidden
Maybe you guys missed the point of the story. Fine don’t give information out if you want, whatever. But the point of the story is don’t judge people based only on the colour of their skin. It’s a huge problem in crown heights. As a Jewish person of colour, it’s sad to hear other yidden tell their children don’t drink from that water fountain after that shwartze did. Come on guys. It’s 2010 not only is it a huge Chilul Hashem but there are more and more African American perfectly orthodox frum jews in the world and you really don’t know who you could be offend. Moral is, be nice to everyone, not naive, just polite, no matter what colour their skin is.