Define Racism

Racism is the belief that a person's race has certain characteristics or traits that make a race either inferior or superior to another.

I think that racism is when a person thinks another person of a different race is incapable of achieving because of his/her race. It's also often a hatred of other races. Interestingly, if you work around kids, you realize that they're not born with racial hatred or ideas that other races or cultures are inferior. They see people as people. They notice smiles and twinkling eyes. But if they live in homes where racism abounds, they soon become like their family members, hating right along with them. The word racism has been thrown around alot in this Presidential race - especially on the internet and amongst forums and bloggers. Racism is NOT disagreeing with a candidate or a candidate's program.

Racism is from people that have very little up bringing in life, they are not taught as I was that all people are the same unless they are doing something to you then, racism is any or all people not just blacks or other foreign people from other countries, but people that are hurtfull to others. I don't think people who complain about black, hate them because of their skin color, it is that they have learned from older people that they are no good, so why get to know them. MY hubby was that way, we bought and moved into a house once where the neighbors was black and boy did he have a fit. Until one day we was told there was people going into our house while we was gone. The neighbor went to see what was going on and saved us probably all that was worth anything. All of a sudden my hubby saw these people as not black but as a regular person. I believe it is what a person is taugh as he grow up that causes the racism. A hatred against a person you don't know but form a opinion of just because they are different.

There have been a lot of good posts here, but none that I really agree with. I think racism is much more subtle than that. Most definitions here are pretty broad based definitions. I think that it goes beyond that. I am a white man. When I see a black man, do I see a black man or just a man? It goes the other way too. When black man see me, does he see a white man, or just a man. Racism does not, have to include hatred or ignorance, though it often does. I believe racism begins with our thoughts and perceptions. Now I certainly don't want to discount each of our ethnic backgrounds. I am Italian and proud of it. If you are African, Indian, German, Arab etc you should be proud of that as well. But its our thoughts that are important. To get back to my previous example. Of course I will notice that that man is black and he will notice that I am white. But there is a difference in the thought of, "There is a black man" versus "There is a man that is black." The first example makes the ethnicity the focus. In the second example I notice him as a person first then his ethnicity. If we can focus our attention on each others humanity first, then we can embrace our differences without prejudice.

Any action, practice, or belief that reflects the racial discrimination. the thought that humans are divided into separate and exclusive groups of who's better and who's not. it idea that one races isn't good enough to exist or that they should have certain rights like the rest of the other people or a signal race.

To me, Racism is the Hate( not dislike) Of any group ethnicity Religion etcetera. Believing that they are inferior or that you are superior.

I think your definition is good but could be improved upon. Firstly, we need to remove culture; not all cultures are equal and it is perfectly acceptable to criticise a culture without criticising those from that culture. For instance, that culture that existed in Nazi Germany is inferior to that of present day UK. This is uncontentious and all should agree. Secondly, I think racism implies action, since we cannot really know what someone thinks unless they act upon it. Therefore, racism is an irrational dislike or fear of a person of a different race, nationality, or ethnic group that leads to some action (Including speech acts) against that person or group. all the best urban

That is my definition.It is sad but true.

Racism is hating someone just because of their race, culture, nationality or religion. I do not understand it but the people who are like this would not see it as irrational, to them it just is normal. I am not sure what the dictionary definition is. There might be a different word that pertains to different things just as sexism is hating someone just because they are a particular gender. There are lots of different kinds of hatred. What they are doing is hating anyone who is not exactly like them. They are totally unable to tolerate anyone who is different in any way and often see that person as a threat. We may not regard them as sane but some of them can be very clever and rational and they are often dangerous.

pretty much, and they think they are better then others for whatever reason. myself never judge others, i don't care who or what you are as long you saw me respect we good. just people who don't understand, or is scare to learn what they don't understand. it's all a big waste of time

I think racism mainly means the dislike of people over others for being different in SKIN color mainly. What I heard about Australians so far is that they are very recist people, they hate asians and black people. There are few incidents that happen. I am a cricket lover and few days back there was a cricket match between Australia and india, and there were some racial comments passed between them which created alot of problems. My friends who are in foreign countries they often face such things. There was another incident with a bollywood actress in a reality show based in england which created headlines. I think Skin color and culture should not matter at all.

Racism is a problem, like ignorance,violence.

I agee with your definition. I think you did a good job with wording that one. I would only add that the dislike comes from stereotyping rather than from knowing.

First of all i realy dont agree with rasism, and second i think rasism means negative feelings toward another race or country that you wouldnt have to yours. what i realy hate is when people just say that others are racist when you are studying history, and say a term that people would use like the "N" word. then they call you racist. thats annoying.

I have read all the remarks printed so far,and a couple of them seem to have my ideas of racizm. I was brought up with hatreds of race due to the second world war,the Japanese,due to their total disrespect and torture of their enemies. And the Germans who started the war. One is yellow race and the other white,this would be classed as racizm due to country and colour. Now,the government is asking for and litterly paying people from other races to come to our country just to help build it up,(at least that is their reason). In truth,I have made a number of freinds from these countries,but then they start changing our way of life with clains of racizm against their religious beleifs,which has forced the government to change our laws to support this. in short,we have gone from the majority to the minority by being to passive. I do not see myself as better or worse than anyone else,but taking my liberties and beleifs away from me to accommidate people from our of my race and culture,is the main cause of racial hatreds. thank you for a great discussion.

Racism is believing that another ethnic group is lower than you are, that you are superior,or gets all the breaks when you do not get any - for instance the best jobs go to, etc. they can get in university with lower marks then you, but it is not just feeling that. Racism conveys doing something about that. The racism you talk about could be classified as a thought crime and you may think that people who have a different appearance are getting all the breaks or are scum beneath your feet, but unless you fire them when you are the boss or burning a cross on their lawns, or are beating the heck out of them alone and not beating the heck out of the white guy who was with the gang, you are not as much a racist. So it is the follow throw that makes you a racist. You can think all you like but it is the action and as long as you think, there is a good chance you will change your mind.

Racism is a failure to appreciate the differences God chose to give us. EVERYBODY was put here for a reason. Just because I'm too blind to see that reason, it does NOT mean it doesn't exist. I try & put my faith in God & the fact that He KNOWS what He is doing. I like to think I'm NOT a racist. However, I have noticed that it may creep in every now & then & I try to learn what it is that I don't understand!!! Does this make any sense???

Racism is that someone believe that he/her different with other, feeling having better education, better complexity, better etc ( but actually NOT) :D

hi cyntrow I think racism is the belief that members of one race are instrinsically superior or inferior to the member of other races.

Racism t me means discrimating or even avoiding somebody simply because of a self perceive notion of superiourity of some kind.It can be based on any notion but the one experienced most is skin colour and religion.... Lastly I hate Racism and all its sincere followers.