I believe I am as much me as I can be with the understanding and acceptance that I am also my inheritance, parents, brothers, and sister. And the times, gangs, and neighborhood where I grew up. So, I am a conglomerate of much that I could not control. I am because of all of this.
Out of all this and to the degree I am able, I am my own person and cannot be under the control of anyone but events. I know this as a matter of experience and the recall of those experiences. Even growing up, I remember seeing bullies as enemies I had to confront. If you were my family or friend, I would protect you whether or not you needed my protection.
Being Jewish in a Jewish environment surrounded by other ethnic groups in their respective ghettos made certain decisions necessary. Not a practicing Jew, I made an early decision to defend being a Jew. And my reputation preceded me on the west side of Chicago. I was not aggressive but confident in my body and presence.
During my basic training in the Army, I had almost too many fights with Jew-haters. What amazed me was the number of antisemitic comments I heard. Example: If an officer pushed his troops, someone would comment under their breath but loud enough to be heard by others,
“That f—– jew!” This continued in my own company on Okinawa until they gave up making public comments because it inevitably led to their having to fight me, which proved painful to them.
A brief side story: My older brother Hy joined the Army on Dec. 8th, 1941, and came home as a seriously ill and malnourished soldier. He told me that “I fear for your life.” I said, “I do not fear the Germans or the Japanese.” He countered and said, “No, I’m talking about your fellow soldiers.”
Sy
