(Image Source: The Brooklyn Paper )

BY KERRY LEARY

 

ANCHOR ERICA COGHILL

You're watching multisource video news analysis from Newsy. 


The saying, “chivalry is dead” has been around for a while now. So, are signs posted in Yiddish in a New York City neighborhood proving that the saying is actually true- or is it simply a misunderstanding? Gawker reports that the signs translate to:

"Precious Jewish daughters, please move over to the side when you see a man come across."

So, why are women supposed to make way for men on the sidewalks in Brooklyn? According to a New York Daily News interview, it’s simply a religious practice.

"This is standard practice in Hasidic communities all over: Step aside when a man is approaching you from the opposite direction...It's a way of the community reminding people to stay in line, so to speak.”

WPIX asked some residents of the neighborhood to state their opinions about the signs.

“What century are we in right now? I don’t need to move for a man. Actually they need to move for us.”
“They should be equal. Women are not above men and men are not above women.”

The Brooklyn Paper opened their article about the signs with a joke, but then got more serious about the issue.

“Why did the Orthodox Jewish woman cross the road? Because a Yiddish sign ordered her.”

However, the article goes on to say that one resident believes the signs are being misinterpreted.

“It is very respectful; it’s not ordering you to cross the street... this is a reminder to let men pass so they don’t go barging into a group of women.”

An LA Times Blog reports The New York City Parks Department took down 16 of the signs- but not because of their content. They were illegally bolted to city-owned trees. Some believe the signs are part of a campaign that has printed other modesty decrees in Brooklyn- including one this summer advising women not to wear tank tops.


Transcript by Newsy.