Jewish-American princess

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jewish-American Princess or JAP is a pejorative characterization of Jewish-American women. The term implies materialistic and selfish tendencies, attributed to a pampered background.

Contents

[edit] Antisemitism

The stereotype is often the basis for anti-Semitic jokes both inside and outside the Jewish community.[1] In recent years the term has been re-appropriated by some Jewish women as a term of cultural identity, especially in areas with high density Jewish populations. The term "JAP" has been used by some women in order to be identified as privileged, but this manner can be offensive as it attempts to reinforce the stereotype.

[edit] Sexism and violence

The term "Jewish-American Princess" 'centers on deprecating sexism,' and pejoratively brands Jewish-American women as spoiled, whining, manipulative, narcissistic, materialistic, overbearing, shallow, egocentric, scatterbrained, and uninterested in sex.[2] While the full phrase and acronym is occasionally used wryly by Jews of both sexes as a term of Judaism, the acronym itself is considered at best fashionably vulgar if not degrading. "JAP" is characterized by some academics as a "violent" term towards women and Jews. T-shirts with the message "SLAP-A-JAP" and the stereotypical image of ethnically Jewish-American women were at one time considered fashionable.[3] A Syracuse professor of sociology, Dr. Gary Spencer, noted areas on his campus that students declared "JAP-free zones." He also noted a sporting incident on campus where fans heckled women by yelling "JAP! JAP! JAP!"[4] Spencer also mentions the "verbal violence" against Jewish women during a college fair at Cornell University where signs read, "Make her prove she's not a JAP, make her swallow." In the Cornell University student newspaper, a cartoon went on to offer advice on how to "exterminate" JAPS.[5]

[edit] Discrimination

When researching the stereotype Jill Gregorie noted significant prejudicial and discriminatory actions toward Jewish women who fit the "JAP" stereotype noting one woman on a college campus who went so far as to avoid contact with 'perceived JAPs at all.' “If I see them in an elevator, I always wait for the next one.”[6] Alana Newhouse of the Boston Globe also noted housing ads on college campuses that warned No JAPs[7]

[edit] Prevalence

Research has found significant levels of JAP baiting in educational settings throughout the US.[8] Still almost all identified incidents’ have fallen short of the legal definition of a hate crime.[9] There also seems to be a lesser degree of data and research driven knowledge concerning the extent of its usage within the broader public sphere.

[edit] See also

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Alperin, Mimi. “JAP Jokes: Hateful Humor.” Humor: International Journal of Humor Research 2 (1989) 412-416. .
  2. ^ Whitney Dibo: 'That girl is such a JAP'.
  3. ^ Bigots in the Ivory Tower, Nancy Gibbs, Time Magazine, May 7, 1990
  4. ^ Spencer, Gary “An Analysis of JAP-Baiting Humor on the College Campus." International Journal of Humor Research 2 (1989) 329-348
  5. ^ Beck, Evelyn Torton (1992) From 'Kike to Jap': How misogyny, anti-semitism, and racism construct the Jewish American Princess. In Margaret Andersen & Patricia Hill Collins (Eds.) Race, Class, and Gender. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 87-95.
  6. ^ Jill Gregorie. "Princess Bitch: The public perception of the maligned", "Generation"
  7. ^ The return of the JAP, By Alana Newhouse, March 13, 2005.
  8. ^ Student Attitudes toward "JAPs": The New Anti-Semitism. Research Report #9-89, Schwalb, Susan J.; Sedlacek, William E.
  9. ^ Hate Crimes: Criminal Law & Identity Politics By James B. Jacobs, Kimberly Potter.

[edit] External links