Why prejudiced people are the way they are.

I've learned there are two kinds of prejudices, socially acceptable ones and non-socially acceptable. For example, it is not socially acceptable for people to stereotype Black people a poor, lazy or any other negative way. However, it is completely acceptable to stereotype poor White people as "redneck" or "hick". Religious people can be stereotyped.. unless the religion happens to be Jewish or Muslim. People say that if a racist person just got to know Black people, they wouldn't be racist... but I know people who became MORE racist after getting to know a lot of Black people, because they saw the Black people living a lot of the stereotypes. After all, most stereotypes have a basis in fact.

I really like the way you look at things megamatt (at least in this situation!). Too often people through the responsibility on the judge, instead of trying to see the truth in the situation. Being from New York, I grew up in a very tolerant environment--and it taught me a lot. Ever since I was a little girl, I preached about tolerance and equality. It just seemed right. However, my step-father was a little prejudiced, and you are exactly right--I would be prejudiced against his prejudice. We would go back and forth at the dinner table, not entirely talking about the actual issue because we both were defending what we believed. When I moved here to Texas, my eyes were wide open--and culture shock came fast. I now live in a city that is between 61% and 67% Hispanic (many Mexican), becoming the minority. Eventually, I learned about issues with illegal immigration, from living by both the Canadian border in NY, and the Mexican border here in San Antonio. I support diversity, I am well-educated, and I have always rooted for the underdog--I just think it is right to support people, period. However, when I do express issues that are going on here in San Antonio, now it feels as if I am being lumped into this category of the prejudiced--even though it could not be farther from the truth. My point is that you are right. Although I don't feel that most people think I'm ignorant, I do feel like they are less tolerant of my beliefs because not all of them are "PC" or politically correct. And you raise a great point when you said that people can be prejudiced against, which in turn results their prejudice. I had everything stolen from me by my "friends" who were Mexican and only showed loyalty to other Mexicans. I never saw anything like it, and it made it very difficult for me to trust other Mexican people. However, I know that these people I encountered were just bad people who happened to be Mexican. But it can be very difficult when you are not prejudiced, then you are prejudiced against in the stereotypical manner you always said was not true--but other people said was. Ultimately, people have to work together. We are here on this Earth with no other options, and if we want to live good lives, then we need to be good to everyone. Some people have been put in situations that we will never understand, being open and willing to trust someone, even after you have been hurt, is the key. That is what makes us human. Regardless of the hurt that has been caused, we have to stand up for what is right, or else we are just as bad (if not, worse than) everybody else. Good post!

I do not think that prejudice people actually feel there is anything wrong with how they feel. Some go on like this for many years that it becomes part of the way they live. I personally do not like anyone who prejudice, if they want to be this way that is fine but please do not try to debate me because I will not agree.

I think everyone is a little racist but for the most part, being completely racist is all based on ignorance. Some might say that its an upbringing but I have reason to believe its a concious choice that each person has. For instance, just because your one or both parents dislike certain foods, that doesn't mean their child has to grow up disliking the same things. For me, being a little racist has to do with experience. I've often heard negative things about a certain group of people but at the time, I dismissed it as personal opinions by others. But after being around the particular races, I can understand why so many feel negative about those races. It was more than one incident that led me to feel the way I do today. Unfortunately, its also when a certain race commits a crime (especially if its against you or a loved one) that confirms the negative views society has about them.