What is Racism?

Oh torch, I am so sorry for your father's experience here. What an awful shame, and over what? A dog breed? I posted this discussion because of another one I was involved in. You might know which one...about a satirical picture of Obama as pinocchio. Someone came to the discussion and said that she was sick of the racism and the negativity. Then she was asked to explain why she felt it was racist. She got in a snit and went and posted a whinny discussion saying how terrible it was that WE would not let her 'express' her opinion and that we were 'mean' to her. I went and tried to hold her accountable...pasted her own words to her discussion. She wouldn't or couldn't see where she was wrong. It happens in just about every politcial discussion..someone comes along and cries 'racism!' I'm sick of it. And now that you've told me what happened to your dad... I am even MORE sick of it! Sorry, right now my hands are shaking due to how upset this makes me.

And what makes it wrong is that it devalues the true meaning of the word. And when you do that...it becomes less abhorent. If my disagreeing with a black person is the same as me advocating killing him...then killing him becomes less wrong. I worked with an older black lady...she was in her sixties. She said to me once...these young punks (CNA's in their twenties) don't know racism...I KNOW racism! I guess that is what I MEAN.

Not as upset as it made me, after all I recommended it to him. Im not opposed to debate, I welcome it. I love it. I think that there are many pseudo-intellectuals here, and they often times tend to be so intent on trying to prove their intellectual capabilities that they tend to forget that they are actually talking to an actual person. Then you have the victims. They are the ones screaming racism. Heres what they dont understand, to proclaim one a racist when he is not makes a victim of him. Let me explain. When I was in the military, My section leader was out for a while, so the next highest ranking member became the section sergent. It just so happened that he was black. Any man in the military back then knows that a section sergent is always in trouble, and him being new, of course he was in troble too. Being the military, everything runs downhill. So he came up to us and started dressing us down. Expected. BUT then he said 'I dont know why you guys wont do right, I think its because I'm black'. Immediately everyone started backing away saying 'No, no thats not it', and calling him by his first name. Not me, I was angry! How dare he suggest that any non-compliance on our part was due to our racism. I suggested that if he believed that was the case, perhaps we should talk to the Captain, he provide his evidence or suspicions, and those of us guilty of insubordination be dully reprimanded. He stepped down immediately. Racism does exist. But to label everyone who does not agree withyou as a racist is equally as wrong. To interject it in a conversation where it plays no role is wrong.

Your assessment is something I have thought about for awhile. I to, believe that we are wired to 'categorize' things as good, or bad. Same or different. I also feel it is instinct to equate same with good, and different with bad. Why? I really don't know, but I raised five kids and you have to TEACH them to discern and not to do this. And I also agree very strongly that we CAN overcome the tendency to do this. You are so right that the word racism has been demeaned, watered down. I am fifty three, I witness real racism here in the south, as a kid. Thank God, now is so much different!

Very well reasoned out answer there. I agree with you. But then if we promoted this idea, we'd all get along and be happy and the politicians would have no wedge to drive between us.

I've been thinking of this subject for the last two days real heavy. I think you know why. I'm tired of trying to reason with people on this. The dictionary was my last resort.

Yes I do know why. It seems to be used so much lately by very ignorant people who use it as a cop-out. IMO it has lost it's real dreadful meaning by being misused so much.

If I am understanding you correctly, you are saying that we see differences in people, and judge them on their habits and nature? If that is what you are saying, I agree. Everyone judges, everyone makes unconcious categories for people....and to do so based on outward appearences is wrong and immature. We have a saying: Appearences can be deceiving. It is the sign of a mature person to be able to 'get past' outward appearances, and see that all people are basically the same. A mature person will gather facts, observe behavior....and make judgments. To deny that this happens is ridiculous. EVERYONE makes judgments based on what they observe. That is NOT racism. The trouble with the current use of the word racism is, that it has come to mean anyone who disagrees with the president. It is NOT racism to disagree with someones actions. The fact he happens to be black has nothing to do with what he is doing as president.

I agree that we need to increase awareness amongst people, I agree very strongly with that! And to pass laws that insure that ALL races get fair and equal treatment under the law, is good. We have such laws here in America. But I do not think it is a good thing to pass laws that have to do with what a person thinks. Sadly, we cannot ever really know WHAT a person thinks, and to try to do so, and punish them for it, is very dangerous to liberty. WE CAN and HAVE passed laws that forbid acting on hatred violently or economically.

I have never judged anyone on the basis of skin color. It is just not the way I think. I had a Native American grandmother. I had a Jewish step grandfather. My family is made up of people who have suffered discrimination. My life has been one of watching the effects of prejudice. I'm tired of explaining to people who throw the word racist around, why I am not racist. They have demeaned the word, watered it down to mean a simple disagreement of ideas or politics.