Is Talent Racist?

 "You won't succeed on Broadway if you don't have any Jews." While Eric Idle's lyrics have amused thousands of audience members world wide, there is also a great deal of validity in these words. When you look at the number of actors and actresses who are in the entertainment industry you will find that a large percentage of them were born into the Jewish faith. New York City, having the largest population of Jews outside of Israel, is also known for having the most challenging theatrical programs and courses in America. Being in locations such as these allows any person with interest in entering the entertainment industry an opportunity to be in a constant competition with their colleagues, a competition that will push these performers to the brink of their talent and throwing them beyond that point. Not only do the Jewish New Yorkers have an abundance of performance opportunities based on their location, they also have deep ties to music through their religious lives. Exposure to music at a young age provides an even greater advantage to these individuals, allowing time put into this art to accumulate and eventually become critical to a start to a career in entertainment. You will find in most if not all situations that talented performers emerge in an area that also has a prominent place in the individual's culture or religious backgrounds. From the African Americans excelling in genres of music such as jazz and blues, to a number of European countries showcasing a number of talented individuals in techno and electronic music. In all instances talent emerges in locations that give these individuals ample opportunity to show what they are capable of and grow in popularity.

Does this make talent racist? Or is it simply a group of determined individuals all in the right place, with the right amount of talent at an ideal time? To me the latter seems to be most plausible. Any person of any gender, or cultural heritage, with the right amount of determination can accomplish whatever they set out to do.