Is it racist to...

i feel this stuff about discrimination has gone too far & people have become very finicky. It would be wrong to deny anyone a privlidge because of discrimination of colour Or creed. That's were the definition of Racism should end. I can abuse my friend, brother as a monkey & not be considered racist, but if i do the same to a aborgian the whole nation will call me a Racist. We have all enjoyed jokes on dumb Italians, it did not seem racist them but today, you never know!! Racism is bad & should be irradicated, but the society should also grow up & not make a mountain out of a molehill. Yes! you have the right to be apprehensive if you were with 4 well built black men.That does not make you a racist.But if you had felt the same with 4 cute black kids in the elevator then i will take the liberty to lable you as one.

First, when these thoughts are contained in your mind they can only reach a maximum of prejudism, which in my opinion is not...always...a negative thing. We know that stereotypes exists, and through them fear is bread about certain people. It is understandable to have fear of black men, though to not allow that fear to cause you to outwardly express your feelings about them. A majority of people under a stereotype are decent people like you and me. However, when one turns on the news all to frequently people of minorities are being found responsible for rape and murder. This is not to say that white people or whatever are not found guilty either, but I would say that more minorities are found guilty than majorities. I am a white male and I know that I have some fear when driving through the minority section of my city. This is perhaps due to increased carjacking, murders, rapes, and what not. It is a safety precaution that you and I are taking, really. I think we are saying that "most people I drive by are going to be decent people, however I want my doors locked for the off-chance that someone my attempt to break into my car; and this person may very much likely be a minority." It is not racism to have fear. From the way you talk in your post, you are not racist; you just have concern for your well being which is something that all individuals should have, and I definitly respect that and feel you have the right to desire safety when driving your car or getting on an elevator. Perhaps the fear is created in our minds based on stereotypes, but wherever the fear comes from it is proper to act maturely about our safety. I have black friends, they a good people. Still, a subliminal fear remains based on stereotypes and the gangster lifestyle. Its almost unavoidable. When people are associated with violence, especially grizzly violence like rape; it is easy and understandable to fall into a state of fear about people of that type. I know that even I as a white, metal-loving, Satanist have garnered negative feedback from people due to fear. However, those people who know me know that I am a decent guy and not out to hurt anyone. I think the best first step is to become more informed and understand why you have your fear. Is it a reasonable fear? From the look of your post and my experience with it, I would say a definite yes! Is it wrong to not argue with racists? No! People have the right to their opinions, and you are acknowledging that it is a losing fight. I dont discuss politics and religion with some individuals in my life for the same reason. Some people are so biased that a single person can not alter their viewpoint (in some cases such as race, it is fairly sad).

I think it would depend on how the neighborhood looks. If it is a black neighborhood that is neat and clean then yes it would be racist but if it is run down then I would be very scared because those types of neighborhoods tend to be very rough. As far as the elevator it to would depend on how the four black men were dresses and how they conducted them selves, what kind of language they were using in their conversations. As far as the jokes go would they be funny if they were made about your own culture? It doesn't do any good to argue with fools and racists are fools..

miamilady....to me, this is a very thought provoking question! And I did spend a lot of time thinking about your question! I do not consider myself a racist...but due to past experiences am more uncomfortable around a certain group of male species than all others! I don't think that is racism...but comfort zone! As a young girl, I grew up amidst a high concentration of Native Indians, as a matter of fact, I was the minority and all was well! Then a group of India's natives bought a sawmill (they were foreign to our town)and there was a plethora of them, and they seemed to show complete disrespect for caucasian women! They would stand in large groups on the street, and you had to cross to the other side to get by! You did not dare try to pass thru the group, or you would be touched, groped & there would be (I think) disdainful remarks (as they would laugh & snicker)! It had a very profound effect on my comfort zone, and I still am wary of this race, especially in groups of more than two! During my tenure at University, I even dated a gentleman from this race, and was comfortable, until we were in a situation where there was a group! Does this make me a racist...I do not know? I still haven't answered your question....but I do understand it? Cheers!

I think we worry too muchabout racism, we should broaden our thinking and look at people as a human being and act accordingly, both prejudice and bias are wrong. The World will be a better place when we learn to look beyong colour, religion, economic status and political affiliations.

Pretty much all of those things show a degree of racism. Just the fact that there are still "black neighborhoods" indicates that racism is still alive which never fails to amaze me. You are right that arguing with them more than likely will do nothing to change their minds. Such ways of thinking are often very deeply rooted in someone. Still whenever I hear someone talking racist, I do tell them how I feel about it and make it clear that I don't care to listen to the garbage. As for the jokes...I think we all have laughed at a joke that could be considered discriminating if one were to take it seriously. Heck, I'm blonde & so obviously the brunt of many jokes etc. you got to also have a sense of humour as well

It's racists if you get feel that way because of the color of their skin. I can't stand racists people and choose not to associate with them. I have nothing against other people because of the color of their skin. The way I see it, we only look different on the outside. When you see what we are made up of, we are all the same.

anything that perpetrates a negative stereotype of a group of people is not a good thing, if that person was afraid of 4 boys of any colour in an elevator with her, then no that is not racist but if she is not afraid of white boys but afraid of black ones or chinese, latinos whatever then that is racist. I don't circulate racists jokes and I don't laugh at them they offend me. then I don't like fat jokes either because they are so cruel, fat people stink, they are lazy etc, all the crap, I even hate all the political rubbish that goes around as well.

When it comes to jokes,there is a fine line between being a racist and just not having any taste.Going through a tough neighborhood every woman of every color should lock her car doors. Any woman of any color riding with Any man oy any color should be cautious. That's not being racist.But ask yourself, would it bother you if a family member dated someone of the other race? Do you look at a person's race first and then make up your mind about them Before you meet? If you answer yes, then you are racist.

I would have to say, miamilady, that those views absolutely smack of racism. If a white woman is so afraid of black guys why would she drive through a black neighborhood in the first place? To my knowledge, white women have made themselves readily available to black guys in recent history, so I really don't see black guys going to extremes to molest a white woman. That is an outdated racial stereotype. Most of the interaction I see between the races is mutual acceptance. The notion that all black guys are out to prey upon white women is silly and antiquated - and it offends me that anyone would still hold to such beliefs.

As a woman, I automatically go on guard when I'm in a secluded area with multiple guys, no matter what they race. Also, I don't care whether the neighborhood is black or white. I lock my doors because any race, with any type of background could be dangerous. The high class, white neighborhood is no safer than what some refer to as the ghetto. At least in a ghetto, you might see the danger before it strikes. Laughing at a joke depends solely on the reason you laugh. If it's funny, then laugh. If it's only funny because you hate a group of people, then yes, you would be considered racist.

YES, it is racist to judge a person by his color. But there is nothing wrong with being a racist as long as you do not insult the other person or take away his rights. Being a racist means that you are being selective, and that's fine because if you're not picky then you'll get into trouble after some time. So accept that you are a racist. Being racist can be good and bad, just like borrowing money can be good and bad. :)

Its racist if you are worried about the black guys and not the white guys. There are 2 kinds of racist, people who are racist and say racit things and people who see racism and hear racist thngs and care nothing about it. Some racist jokes are really not meant to hurt anyone and playing on stereotypes and some are meant to be unkind and hateful.

Hey! No thats not racist! Im black and I do that haha. Its not racist to feel apprehensive. I get apprehensive when I'm around a culture too not just my own. I argue against racism every time the racism is brought up in my presence. I make jokes about my culture and laugh at other racist jokes I cant help that they are funny. But there is a line that has to be drawn from time to time on what should and shouldnt be said.

I always lock my doors while driving through any neighborhood, it's just safer overall. As for having "feelings" about anything, it doesn't matter because unless you express them verbally or act in a certain way, who is to know? I feel that people of every race have racist tendencies as it is actually pretty natural to be apprehensive of people who are different. It's how we act towards those feelings or what we say that really matters. As for jokes, I don't know. I tend to think jokes that put down or make fun of anyone not to be very funny.

I don't believe you would be racist if you locked your doors. It is the stigma around neighborhoods that makes us lock our doors. If you went through a normal neighborhood that you had heard was a bad beighborhood you would probably do the same thing. Elevator question: I think it all depends on how they men look not their color. 4 White men that look rough would make people uneasy just as 4 black men would if they looked rough. I always get into arguements if people start being racist. People that are racist should not bash people around others or at all for that matter but if they wanna be racist they should at least keep it to yourself. If a joke is funny it's funny and jokes do not make you racist.

Laughing at a good joke is not bad what is bad is when you make fun of other people just to get a laugh. Racist jokes are not in good taste. On the other hand, people should try not to stereotype people. You could get robbed, mugged or raped by people of any color or race. We should not just single out the blacks when it comes to these things. It's not fair to them.

"Is it racist to laugh at jokes about your own culture?" This is a very interesting question. I suppose the politically correct answer is, yes. But if you look around, it seems the only people perceived as racist, are ones who react towards other cultural jokes etc.

I am black, and I lock my doors whenever I am driving through a bad neighborhood, be it a white neighborhood or black. I am skeptical about riding an elevator with any man or men, some females intimidate me as well, be they black or white. I do not think being cautious should center on the color of a person's skin, but on the situation you find yourself in. So if you are being cautious, why look at it as racist. Thugs, criminals etc, comes in all colors, genders, shapes and sizes.

Some of the things that you are describing do not necessarily make you a racist woman. I would be careful around anyone that I don't know that seems suspicious no matter what color. There are all kinds of people out there and criminals come in every race. Laughing at a racist joke might not make you prejudice. I don't really like many racist comments though. I believe there is ignorance in the world. I am a white woman and I feel that racism is a sad part of our culture today.