When a Schoolmate Called Him a ‘Kike’ He Answered With His Fists

We asked readers to share their personal experiences with antisemitism. Here is what one wrote:
 
I was a junior high [middle school] student in the early ’60s. One day when I was opening my locker, a student came up and started pushing me. He then proceeded to hit me and call me a “kike,” after which the two of us were engaged in a fight.
 
Eventually, a teacher broke it up and took me to the assistant principal’s office. I was in total shock. I think the teacher was surprised I was getting the better of the other guy.
 
The assistant principal knew the student well: He had been in the office many times. He suspended the kid. He also called my father and had him pick me up to cool off the rest of the day. No disciplinary action was taken against me.
 
My parents, who were in shock as well, were more concerned about my physical health than the name-calling. As time went on, however, the fact that I was called “kike” was very disturbing to the whole family and became a point of discussion.
 
— A.A. in Arizona
 
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