An indicator of creeping U.S. anti-semitism?
The shooting of a security guard at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was a shocking and senseless act of violence in a place where one of mankind's most shocking and senseless acts of violence is movingly recalled. For Marylanders, it is particularly disturbing to hear that not only was the victim, Stephen T. Johns, a resident of this state but so is the alleged perpetrator, James von Brunn, a once-successful artist turned criminally-delusional or worse who appears to have spent a good part of his senior years spewing hatred against Jews and blacks.
Mr. Johns died a hero, and he and others on the museum's staff deserve credit for being so well prepared for just such an event. Mr. von Brunn appears to have acted alone but clearly shared many of his beliefs with white supremicist groups and the Holocaust denial fringe.
This begs the question: Was this a random act of a lunatic or evidence of the rising threat of anti-semitism in this country?
It's impossible to know for sure -- the museum attack may invite copycat behavior as well-publicized crimes often do -- but a recent report by the Anti-Defamation League found the trend running in the opposite direction. According to ADL statistics, the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. declined for the fourth consecutive year with a total of 1,352 incidents of vandalism, harrassment and assaults against Jews, their property and institutions last year. That was about 7 percent less than was reported in 2007.
That's a relatively modest decline, and the electronic age has given rise to methods of social networking and other forms of mass communication that are not so easily documented. Still, the audit suggests the Holocaust museum shooting is less evidence of a new trend then a reminder that such virulent anti-Semitism still exists and will sometimes manifest itself in horrible and violent acts.
Maryland is fortunate that anti-Semitic incidents are relatively rare here, as the audit notes. But at the very least this is a reminder of the need for eternal vigilance against such irrational hate and destructive behavior, a lesson that despite this despicable incident the museum will continue to provide its visitors.
Comments
"Still, the audit suggests the Holocaust museum shooting is less evidence of a new trend then a reminder that such virulent anti-Semitism still exists"
Four and a half paragraphs into a six paragraph statement to get to the one salient fact? And that one which disputes the title premise? The Sun should really hire back John McIntyre; and soon.
Tsk.
Posted by: MrRational | June 11, 2009 12:18 PM
You do your position a disservice by floating the possibility of von Brunn as a "lunatic." That completely absolves him of responsibility for his actions, and I wouldn't be surprised to see his lawyers enter a plea of "not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect." But why can't we conceive of him committing such a crime while he's of sound mind? Is that too frightening to contemplate?
Posted by: Shannon | June 11, 2009 12:47 PM
I think you're confusing lunacy with the legal definition of insanity. There are plenty of lunatics in the world but there aren't many who can prove legal insanity which usually hinges on the defendant's ability to determine right from wrong. The suspect is most likely one of the former. Certainly, there's no indication he was that far removed from reality.
Posted by: PeterJ | June 11, 2009 1:05 PM
If this incident was indicitive of a "trend", where were/are all of Von Brunn's supporters? Why didn't legions of anti-semites and racists follow him into the building, guns blazing?
I guess he was a legion of one..........
Posted by: MDR | June 12, 2009 7:54 AM