Sometimes I feel like a lone voice denouncing racism in the charedi world. Many of the same households in which people are ejected from Shabbos tables or have their conversations quickly cut short at even the mention of a non-Jewish song lyric or mythological deity will pooh-pooh some of the most virulent racist language.

And, when derogatory terms for non-Jews like "shaiggitz" and "shiksa" began to fall out of vogue, "shvartzer" remained and still is acceptable language in some circles.

Indeed, I even have myself witness words like "shvartzer" (or "spic") nonchalantly "just slip out" of the mouths of even people close to me derogatorily -- something which would never happen with, say, the F word.

So a post as brilliant as Chabakuk Elisha's on A Simple Jew stands out among its peers in the JBlogosphere. In a place where there are no leaders, Mr. Elisha is trying to lead.

His six paragraphs give us an insight into his feelings about this overlooked problem:

Disdain for people and belief systems that oppose Yiddishkeit (Judaism) I can understand, but the old-fashioned, peasant-like, uncivilized and coarse commonly accepted hatred and speech regarding other races can be more than just disgusting.

Obviously, not everyone is this way, but it is prevalent enough that it is tolerated by even those that do not share the view. I've heard the ugliest terms and opinions about other races in all kinds of places, and 99% of the time nobody objects...

I have had the sit-down meeting with each of my older children when they have uttered a disgustingly racist word or idea – heard in school from classmates or even teachers or faculty members; they didn't even realize there was anything wrong with it. I sit down with them and we discuss it...

Not only is he disgusted by the racist conduct he sees, he is making sure that such vile traits don't show up in his own family. Now that's proactive. Charity -- and anti-racist thinking -- begins at home.

Mr. Elisha's post concludes with his hopeful attitude and realism:

I must clarify that "heimishe" racism isn't about violence; I've never heard someone express a desire to take up any action, even if they themselves were materially damaged in some way. And other than the occasional individual caught in the commission a crime (in which case, Hashem yerachem), it's not common to hear anyone express a desire that any violent action be taken up – nevertheless, the hatred is there.

So, while I know I can't change the guy that told me he wouldn't call them "nig..rs" if they didn't act like it," and I can't change the guy that told me he wishes, "they were wiped of the face of the Earth" – I have wasted enough time debating these morons – and I realize that the 20 year old Klausenberger camp counselor that teaches the bunk a song with the line about slapping the goy in the face...isn't going to change into a better person, I can continue to speak with my children and complain to administrators, and maybe sometimes it'll make a difference.

I can't change the overall attitudes; I know, but in my area of influence, I can still try.

Like I said, his post is here. We need more people like Mr. Elisha and less like Mr. "I-wouldn't-call-them-that-if-they-didn't-act-like-it." The former is building bridges.

The latter is building our exile.