Page 25 - TORCH Magazine #30 - Spring 2026

Louis’ Understanding of Antisemitism
born out of ignorance, he wrote, “A lot of
Negroes talked bad about the Jews, but they
didn’t know what they were talking about.”
Louis saw the pattern we also recognise,
Louis loved the Jewish people, and he
came to understand their uniqueness in the
world. He also knew that there was an unfair
hatred of Jews.
The first chapter of his memoir is titled:
“Louis Armstrong + the Jewish family in
New Orleans, La., the Year of 1907.” In it, he
reflects on antisemitism.
The Karnofsky’s were white, but Louis
understood early on that their skin colour
did not shield them from prejudice. He
wrote of how, even as a young child, he
noticed the distain that both Black and
White people in New Orleans had for Jews.
“I was only seven years old, but I could
easily see the ungodly treatment that the
white folks were handing the poor Jewish
family whom I worked for,” he wrote. He
also said, “The Negroes always hated the
Jewish people who never harmed anybody.”
Recognising that antisemitism is often
which is that Jews are often unfairly
scapegoated. It doesn’t matter what group
people belong to, there is always a way
for antisemitism to infect a people group,
such is the spiritual nature of this hatred.
It seems Louis recognised this aspect, as
he saw antisemitism as both immoral and
ungodly.
Not only did Louis recognise the hatred
against Jews being unique. He also realised
the Jewish people themselves are special.
“I had a long-time admiration for the
Jewish People. Especially with their long
time of courage, taking so much abuse for
so long.” And recognising Jewish resilience,
he said, “They stuck together. And by doing
that, they had to have success.”
Louis’ views were not formed by politics,
and he wasn’t making statements for
publicity. He was speaking from the heart.
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