The realization that wearing a magen David or otherwise being clockable as Jewish means that every tiny thing you do in public is being used to confirm people's antisemitic biases. Like if I am not a Jew and my card doesn't read immediately it doesn't matter. If I ask if there are coupons available it is mundane. If I ask someone to respect a quiet/study zone it's normal. If I accidentally take someone's seat (happened today) it's either ignored or I'd be asked if I could move (happily!). Nothing odd.
But existing visibly as a Jew it's just... you always must be Up to Something. Tiny, meaningless actions, habits, mistakes you make are held against the whole people. I took an empty seat today and learned that apparently this is somehow proof that Jews Steal Land. Your chair isn't Palestine, dude. Just let me know you were sitting there like we do in society. Ffs.
This is textbook but it's exhausting.
I try regardless of whether or not I think I seem Jewy looking to do kind things because that's how I was raised, luckily. But if I let someone in front of me in line is it being twisted in people's minds? Am I up to no good to them? My community volunteers and all of a sudden we're just "doing PR?" It's "hasbara" that my synagogue helps clean up a mosque? We'd have done it 2 years ago. We'd do it for the Sikhs across the street, too. It makes no difference, but is that how we're perceived?
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