On Being Black, White, and Jewish

Really. But it's a matter of soul, Jewish is. We all know (or should--there should be a humor requirement for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, kind of like a learner's permit before you get your driver's license) the joke about the blackhat from Brooklyn traveling in China, right?

I think this is wonderful to hear, see, write about. Look forward to seeing your work and hearing more discussions. It is time to drop the divide and the checkboxes on applications.  But you get more scholarships as a 'minority'  and Jews- still a minority have no checkbox!

Black Jews (like Lacey) are hot!

Where and when can we see the Docu? It seems very interesting.

I am simply over this whiny documentary about you being lied to about your race. Get over it Lacey, in private...not in a movie theatre. Outside the Box should be a documentary about races and religions, not your emotional plight. As a Jewish Man who is also Black, but not White, I find it disturbing that you are going to profit on my life, while not really doing either side justice, or even being a voice for me - as you seem to be a spoiled, not so-pretty version (ivy league educated because of the Minority card) of my sister. She didn't have to write a documentary, she just had to go to therapy. I recommend the same.

I found the trailer of Ms. Schwartz's film to be very intriguing and interesting.  I am neither Jewish nor Black but I think her story would give me great insight on a culture of which I know nothing.  I would think as a Black Jewish man you might want to have someone speaking about your culture which is widely unrepresented in film to abroad audience.  Correct me if I am wrong, but I cannot recall Sammy Davis or any other well known black Jews telling their stories in film. If you don't want to see the film, then don't pay the $11.50 to buy a ticket at the movie theater.  Instead, I suggest you take that $11.50 and put it toward a therapy session you obviously need since you failed to get into a good college based on your own inadequacies or give it to your ugly sister for a makeover.  Ms. Schwartz, I applaud you for your courage in bringing your story to light so the rest of the world can learn.

Congratulations on having the courage to put your personal experience out there for people to learn from, relate to, and enjoy, while simulateously bringing attention to an often ignored group of people. Do not let any negative people detract from your sense of self or purpose. Mr. Get Over It needs to take his own advice. He clearly is not satisfied with his own life, why else would someone put out such negative unsolicited comments about a person he has never met. Best of luck on your project, I look forward to seeing more.

Lacey: just want to thank you for opening yourself up about issues that are not often enough explored. It takes courage to do what you’re doing, to ask the questions you are asking and to expose yourself and your family in hopes of understanding yourself better and ultimately, even helping just one other person who make be going through the same situation. Anyone who sees negativity in your film or your motivation is the reason why what you are doing is so necessary. We live in a culture where people would rather criticize than dialogue, and would rather throw stones than build bridges. I would suggest Over It' seek the therapy he is suggesting to get in touch with what makes him so scornful and petty. You keep doing your thang, Lacey…

I found the trailer of Ms. Schwartz's film to be very intriguing and interesting.  I am neither Jewish nor Black but I think her story would give me great insight on a culture of which I know nothing.  I would think as a Black Jewish man you might want to have someone speaking about your culture which is widely unrepresented in film to abroad audience.  Correct me if I am wrong, but I cannot recall Sammy Davis or any other well known black Jews telling their stories in film. If you don't want to see the film, then don't pay the $11.50 to buy a ticket at the movie theater.  Instead, I suggest you take that $11.50 and put it toward a therapy session you obviously need since you failed to get into a good college based on your own inadequacies or give it to your ugly sister for a makeover.  Ms. Schwartz, I applaud you for your courage in bringing your story to light so the rest of the world can learn.

I have always taken pride in the reality that the Jewish identity transcends racial and cultural and ethnic divisions. It is entirely human as it is based upon the rule of (Torah) law, on an idea and a choice and on a committment. The Jewish definition of humanity is the acknowledgment of God and relationship with God. From that point of view it is obvious that the difference between black and white people is the same as the difference between black and white horses. Maimonides himself says as much. All that other stuff is just anthropology and sociology. Any problem anybody have wid it is directly related to the degree of their failure to be fully human in the Jewish sense.

The Jewish people have been diverse from the start. While the founding family was by Torah-record Mesopotamian, two of Jacob's wives and their children (tribes) were most likely black and/or 'other'. The pigments used on Egyptian monuments to depict Hebrew slaves were as varying as were evidently their models.

As someone who looks as white as Henry the Eighth, I personally check the 'Other' box when available or leave it out (I would prefer one labelled 'Not Applicable'). I may be 'white', but I am not White. Just ask any White person.

As for the Jewish Black Man - if Lacey is 'not-so-pretty', then you may be 'not-so-Man'. Speaking of therapy.

This is an issue because of the "one-drop rule". Unfortunately, this is a precept deeply rooted in the American psyche. I'll venture to say, that it'll take more spiritually evolved people such as yourself, and perhaps another century or two, in order for Lacey's situation to be mute issue.

Why does it have to be about the filmmaker's life and not about the race - MIXED PEOPLE, and the religion together, but separate from her own trials and tribulations in what seems to be a very mixed-up and deceptive upbringing.

Frankly, by her defining herself as a black woman is a farcity. She is completely resentful against the white race, hence her angst in making the film from a BLACK perspective.

 I grew up with Lace. She was spoiled, bratty, and always tried to be edgy. If people only knew the real her, they wouldn't AT ALL be interested in the film.

 And, I am not a hater, like Mr. Over It. Instead - I value good film, and think this is corny (who cares about her family and upbringing) and cheap therapy (or should i say FINANCED therapy) for her to heal.

 Mazel-Tov.

- Dan S.

I'm all for democracy on the internet, but I often wonder why people like Dan Swartzman above think that it's a good idea to slam people in forums like this for what they deem to be someone's past ways.  I mean come on people, is it really necessary to vent bygone high school frustrations here rather than appreciate the unique perspective of this filmmaker in opening our eyes to a vibrant and unrecognized part of the Jewish community?  As a studio exec myself, I think Lacey and filmmakers like her are on the right path: the only way to make people care about issues is to make them personal.  well done Lacey -- can't wait to see the finished product.

I have to agree--democracy on the Internet is good, and trolls just come with the territory, but it does strike me as especially low to personally and publicly criticize someone for irrelevant childhood behavior (real or imagined).

As the anon studio exec said, one damn good way "to make people care about issues is to make them personal," and clearly there's a whole genre of docu film that embraces that simple truth.  

In answer to Swartzman's question "who cares about her family and upbringing?" I'd venture to say that a lot of different kinds of people do.  Bliss Broyard, author of One Drop, is a great example of widespread interest in a similar, personally told story.  

From the tone of Swartzman's comment, it sounds like someone might have had an unrequited crush, way back when...  

Go to Israel and take a look.....what do you see ???many people of different colors ???? all i see is ONE PEOPLE One Observance color is not a factor in Judasim but living as Jewish as you can and respecting one another is more important than a color of anyones skin Jewish or gentile.

You know, it's all about making money, isn't it?  Wonder if I can make some money on a story about myself?  Doubtful.  My parents were both the same race, stayed married, had no adulterous relationships that produced children, no family lies, etc.  So, how could you look at yourself and not figure out that something was probably finked up?  Your mom didn't tell you about your black dad until you were 18, but didn't you ever ask how come I look so different?  If so, what did she say?  Don't answer that.  I'm only asking rhetorically.  The main thing is did you feel loved?  If so, then hooray!  If not, then sad.  But, frankly, I don't really care about the story.  I mean, if a Baptist marries a Methodist, or a Catholic a Jew, or a Muslim a Buddhist, etc., is that really a story?  I mean, really!  Happens all the time.  Who cares?  Religion is man-made anyway and if you don't think so, you haven't been studying anything except your holy book, whichever one that might be.  Jews aren't white?  Are you kidding me?  Then what are they?  We're all  human, people!   I just need to figure out a way I can get in on the take like everybody else.  Actually, I really don't . . . goes against my non-religion.  Don't waste your lives on this tripe, people.  Go out there and do something for somebody who needs help and then keep it to yourself.  It's a lot more fun that way.