2023-12-11 13:54:09
On December 5, at a US Congressional hearing, presidents of elite universities came under intense questioning about anti-Semitism on college campuses. Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik sparked controversy by questioning whether “calling for genocide of the Jews” violates university rules, to which Liz Magill, president of the University of Pennsylvania, responded that it depends on the context.
This exchange went viral on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter). Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum and research center, issued a condemnation, underscoring the importance of raising awareness about the history of anti-Semitism and the Holocaust.
A new poll by YouGov/The Economist reveals that ignorance about the Holocaust is alarmingly high among young Americans. About 20% of respondents ages 18 to 29 believe the Holocaust is a myth, compared to 8% of those ages 30 to 44.
Another 30% of young people are not sure if the Holocaust is a myth. In addition, it is observed that many young people hold the false belief that Jews have too much power in the United States, being almost five times more likely to think this compared to those over 65 years of age (28% vs. 6%).
Contrary to expectations, educational levels do not seem to be a determining factor in these beliefs. The survey shows that the proportion of those who believe that the Holocaust is a myth is similar at all educational levels.
It is speculated that social media could play a crucial role in forming these opinions. Young Americans have as much trust in information on social media as they do in national news organizations, according to a Pew Research Center survey. Additionally, 32% of people ages 18 to 29 get their news through TikTok, and users of this platform have been found to be more likely to harbor anti-Semitic beliefs, according to a Generation Lab survey.
Worryingly, anti-Semitism is also emerging in other demographic groups. The same YouGov/The Economist poll found that 27% of black respondents and 19% of Hispanic respondents believe Jews have too much power in the United States, compared to 13% of white respondents.
The growing incidence of anti-Semitic views among young people is cause for alarm and highlights the importance of a concerted effort to counter these dangerous misunderstandings. It is crucial that society takes steps to ensure that future generations have an accurate understanding of history.
#young #Americans #believes #Holocaust #myth