I personally experienced discrimination as a Jew for the first time when we lived in Kansas, briefly, in the early '70s. So, when a "Black Power" speaker came to our high school, I was excited to have someone else I could relate to. But in response to my expression of solidarity after her speech, she shot me down with a rant about how Jews in Hollywood discriminated against Blacks and perpetuated stereotypes.
I didn't know what to say then. Now I do.
Yes, many Jews in Hollywood, especially those at the top, practiced discrimination and spread stereotypes. But there were also many Jews in Hollywood who fought for civil rights at great personal cost.
One of these was Jerry Fielding. As bandleader for Groucho Marx's show - You Bet Your Life - he was the first to integrate the band on an American TV show (including hiring Buddy Collette). As a result, he was subpoenaed to the infamous House UnAmerican Activities Committee, even though he never had any affiliation with the Communist Party. His crime was standing up for civil rights. For this, he was blacklisted in Hollywood for a decade.
There were many more Jews in Hollywood who were blacklisted for their civil rights activities. I have had the privilege of meeting some of them.
