Are you racist?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I have always thought that the label racist only applies to people who really believe that one, there are different races among humans, and two, that the so-called 'white' race is superior to all other races.

You are delusional if you believe that only whites are racist. You must have lived a sheltered life.

peejay, I'm going by what was the traditional meaning. The fact is there aren't any different races....only the human race. Now I understand the meaning of the word has evolved, but racial superiority is something that was first articulated by Hitler and Nazi's, using pseudo-science to really believe that one, there are different races and two, that the so-called Aryan race was superior to all other races. There is a difference between someone who embraces those kinds of ideas and someone who has prejudices towards others based on their ethnicity or color of skin.

[trinket 30]

No to the first and probably to the second.

Its not about skin colour for me but even back in India I wouldn't go to certain places alone or won't go after dark. Kind of same here too, I would cross roads if I see a bunch of teenagers or group of young men with beer in hand; they might not mean any harm but I would like not to take any risks either.

[Peikko 1,575]

It's been around a lot longer than Hitler Mr FP. That being said, old Hitler really did a number on the Jews and pretty much started the current epidemic for mass genocide.

I agree with you though, that so called 'racial' differences are biologically inaccurate, there is not much evidence that there are enough significant genome pointers to be able to delineate differences, particularly not ones that correspond to the visual cues that most people use to denote different races.

Cultural differences can and do create feelings of hatred though. I find that odd to be honest. Unless the cultural differences in some way interfere with one's ability to live one's life according to one's own set of beliefs and vice versa then one should embrace the fact that there are so many ways of doing things

[Laveau 67]

If we are defining racism as one believing one race is better than another than no, I am not. But I have a crapload of stereotypes and I laugh at "racist" jokes, no matter WHAT race the jokes poke "fun" at. In that sense, lots would call me racist. Also, I'm against ILLEGAL immigration. Some would label me racist just because of that although I hold by my stance thyat no matter what nation a person may enter USA illegally. I noticed that a lot of people on VJ do that. (that=if ur anti-illegal immigration than u must be racist) As an aside, I'm of Mexican descent on my father's side but look 100% Mexican.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It's been around a lot longer than Hitler Mr FP. That being said, old Hitler really did a number on the Jews and pretty much started the current epidemic for mass genocide.

I agree with you though, that so called 'racial' differences are biologically inaccurate, there is not much evidence that there are enough significant genome pointers to be able to delineate differences, particularly not ones that correspond to the visual cues that most people use to denote different races.

Cultural differences can and do create feelings of hatred though. I find that odd to be honest. Unless the cultural differences in some way interfere with one's ability to live one's life according to one's own set of beliefs and vice versa then one should embrace the fact that there are so many ways of doing things

IMO, I think we should make a distinction between those who actually believe in racial superiority from someone who has personal prejudices towards another group. The former are what I would consider, a bonafide racist and the latter, a bigot. Although we often consider them synonomous, there are differences. For one, I think it's easier to open the mind of a bigot than to reform a racist.

Edited March 22, 2009 by Mister Fancypants

[NatPatBen 3]

If we are defining racism as one believing one race is better than another than no, I am not. But I have a crapload of stereotypes and I laugh at "racist" jokes, no matter WHAT race the jokes poke "fun" at. In that sense, lots would call me racist. Also, I'm against ILLEGAL immigration. Some would label me racist just because of that although I hold by my stance thyat no matter what nation a person may enter USA illegally. I noticed that a lot of people on VJ do that. (that=if ur anti-illegal immigration than u must be racist) As an aside, I'm of Mexican descent on my father's side but look 100% Mexican.

Why would people call you racist for being against illegal immigration?

The way I look at it, especially after hearing the opinion of immigrant friends, is that people are in line all over the world to come to the USA. In line to come here the legal way, no matter how long that takes. Many of those people aren't in an adjacent or nearby country, so they don't have the opportunity to come illegally. It is unfair to all the people waiting for them to go through a legal process, yet have other people sneak in illegally.

[sara..... 371]

no

and

no

most of our family has been built thru adoption i have one full black sister one sister is black/Iranian

a bother that we have not got a clue but could be black and Italian, a sister that is Heinz 57 and nobody knows for sure what she is other than her birth mother was Cajun

as far as loud teenagers someone said on here they are afraid of i ovoid any group of loud teenagers color dont come into it

sara

[almaty 19]

yes, i hate white people

[sweet_peach 0]

I'm not racist

I hate everyone equally

[almaty 19]

good policy.. sweet peach..

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

Why would people call you racist for being against illegal immigration?

you so need to visit off topic.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

This thread reminds me of something my friend said to me once:

"I'm not racist, I hate everyone equally."

She wasn't serious, but still, haha.

I chose No/Yes.

We're all racist at some point in our lives.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

There are actually social science studies that try to identify ingrained attitudes that denote racism. Simply asking someone if they're racist will rarely get them to admit to it.

A friend of mine did a survey as part of her dissertation that asked people questions like:

Would a person's ethnicity factor into your decision to date them?

Would you care if you had a child that was a different color from you?

Would you feel apprehensive about introducing a partner of different ethnicity to your friends and family?

Would you feel apprehensive about meeting your partners ethnic friends and family?

Most people are not overtly racist - but having unconcious attitudes and prejudices is more common than you might think.

[Scott & Lai 12]

Why would people call you racist for being against illegal immigration?

you so need to visit off topic.

No kidding...

[justashooter 430]

I don't think anyone is going to openly admit to being racist. It's such an ugly idea. However, I do believe that the majority of ppl are prejudiced in some way. I don't believe humans can be completely unbiased like that.

anybody over the age of 12 is going to have prejudice. if prejudice is based upon experience, it's a self defense mechanism, and thereby a good thing.