Ethnic Studies Review
Orginal Publication Date
2012
Journal Title
Ethnic Studies Review
Volume
35
Issue
esr/vol35/iss1
First Page
135
Last Page
155
Abstract
This article details how Jews and Mexicans in Denver, Colorado came together in 1949 in the wake of a widely publicized interracial gang battle at one of the city's local middle schools. It documents the response of the local chapter of the Anti-Defamation League and its involvement in a interracial neighborhood council and how Jewish racial identity in Denver was informed by the broader racial geography of the West-a racial geography that was too often shaped by contrast with Mexicans. The article also challenges the notion that Denver was relatively free of anti-Semitism. Indeed, the 1905 lynching of Jacob Wesskind suggests a more nuanced story than the received wisdom about Jews being "at home" in Denver. Keywords: Jews, Mexicans, anti-Semitism, lynching, Denver, Colorado
Rights
Copyright ©ESR, The National Association for Ethnic Studies, 2012