Are you racist?

[Shining Raichu]

This thread is about as great as 'are you pro eating babies? Vote yes or no!'

I'm not sure where you're going with that. I'm not racist but I'm pro baby eating, so if your logic is to create a question that people won't want to admit yes to the same way they wouldn't want to admit to racism, then your argument falls apart with me.

 

[Evanlyn]

I guess I used to be, people of different coloured skin freaked me out, but that's only because I grew up with 'white' people, and it wasn't until recently that I really started making friends with different 'races'.

Anywho, I don't think I'm racist. I just distrust all people now equally. Yay.

 

[elnoor]

When I came to the US my teacher taught the class that we live in a melting pot with every person bringing something unique or special. When I was young I believed 100 % in this, cause it made sense. Fast forward to now and I still believe in that concept but sometimes I see that the pot is really not melting as how I pictured it when I was young.I have question about white supremacy thing because it is still unclear to me. Is it certain people from a certain country or you just have to be white and you can join that's like the main requirement? If it is the second choice are they this way because they don't know their true origin and are just holding onto the color of their skin?

 

[Phantom1]

I'm not sure where you're going with that. I'm not racist but I'm pro baby eating, so if your logic is to create a question that people won't want to admit yes to the same way they wouldn't want to admit to racism, then your argument falls apart with me.

Wait, so... I'm not alone?!

Andy we need to discuss the finer art of baby cuisine. I'm talking what wines you use, etc.

 

[curiousnathan]

I'm not racist, no. Those who though I look down heavily upon, if that means anything.

 

[Shining Raichu]

Well of course you look down on people who are racist, you think you're Lebanese.

Andy we need to discuss the finer art of baby cuisine. I'm talking what wines you use, etc.

Pinot grigio is always a safe bet.

 

[zakisrage]

Well of course you look down on people who are racist, you think you're Lebanese.

As someone of Lebanese heritage, I found that comment very rude and obnoxious.

I guess you could say I'm racist when it comes to dating, since I tend to prefer Mediterranean-looking girls and I refuse to date a blonde girl unless she's of Lebanese heritage (blond Lebanese people do exist. They're not very common, but they're there). There's a thing called preference. For example, I'm not attracted to Anglo-Saxon girls, and people who are aware of it are okay with that. Preference is not the same as being racist. Just think about it...you can't expect a girl to date a black guy if she doesn't find black guys attractive.

 

[DJTiki]

I'm not even sure. I have racist thoughts from time to time, but I tend to keep itmto myself. I'm black, but it's kinda weird, knowing that there are some people out there like that. I mean, people say all the time, that blacks are mostly thought of when the term "racism" is brought, even though by defintion of racism, its just mainly bad discrimnation, so by that, everyone is equally picked on. My family is subtly racist. By that, they are open to say why "A white person does this" or "Mexicans do that", and it bugs me. Just eariler this week, I had an argument about whether ADHD had anything to do with my brother being "mixed". That is so goddamn annoying, trying to tell them, it makes no ****ing sense. Also because I articulate my sentences and hold myself in a respectable manner, all of a sudden I'm "white", like there is some stipulation and bar that must be set to be "black". *sigh*

I'm not racist, I have racist thoughts and I time-to-time make racist jokes, but not the really bad ones. I have friends from all ethnicities, White-Black-Asian-whatever. I've been picked on from being black, yes, but it never really bothered me. I just want to be me, and not be sterotypically grouped with something because of who I am. Because that's what bugs me.

 

[Phantom1]

I'm not even sure. I have racist thoughts from time to time, but I tend to keep itmto myself. I'm black, but it's kinda weird, knowing that there are some people out there like that. I mean, people say all the time, that blacks are mostly thought of when the term "racism" is brought, even though by defintion of racism, its just mainly bad discrimnation, so by that, everyone is equally picked on. My family is subtly racist. By that, they are open to say why "A white person does this" or "Mexicans do that", and it bugs me. Just eariler this week, I had an argument about whether ADHD had anything to do with my brother being "mixed". That is so goddamn annoying, trying to tell them, it makes no ****ing sense. Also because I articulate my sentences and hold myself in a respectable manner, all of a sudden I'm "white", like there is some stipulation and bar that must be set to be "black". *sigh*

I'm not racist, I have racist thoughts and I time-to-time make racist jokes, but not the really bad ones. I have friends from all ethnicities, White-Black-Asian-whatever. I've been picked on from being black, yes, but it never really bothered me. I just want to be me, and not be sterotypically grouped with something because of who I am. Because that's what bugs me.

There are people that argue that racism against whites doesn't happen or that it can't exist.

 

[Entermaid]

Racist is a difficult concept to clearly define.

With that said, I likely treat people differently based on a variety of attributes, including race. Not necessarily "worse", but differently.

Being from a prodominantly white midwestern rural area, I sometimes feel out of place in areas, like where I am currently, where there is a more diverse population. It's this unfamiliarity that I would say inadvertently affects how I interact. Perhaps more nervous, or self-conscious of how I interact.

So, am I racist??? Not sure. Especially since I work in political/social theory, I look over racial/ethnic statistics daily. I know, for instance, black populations tend to be more likely to commit crimes. Though, I also understand that socioeconomic and structural deficiencies in our US policies have cultivated issues with race and poverty/crime (blame can be allocated by both Dem/Rep policy stances.)

For these reasons I do hold some prejudices or prejudgements when I interact with anyone of a different race, religious background, socioeconomic status, ect. ect. Though, I do try to make sure not to let my prejudgements alone affect how I interact with someone, especially in the long-term.

 

[Pinkie-Dawn]

Heck no, because that'll only encourage wars and genocide. I am, however, more concerned about keeping pure-blooded races alive, because much like half-breeds in the animal kingdom (Ex: Red Wolf half-breeds), half-breeds would be something of a new race of its own rather than benefitting the survival of one race from going extinct.

 

[Nah]

Well, being white makes me automatically racist because I still benefit from institutional racism set in place by my ancestors. But to answer the question: No, I'm not bigoted or prejudiced.

Uh, Kieran, that's not what racism means. Racism is defined as:

1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.

2.a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.

3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

Racism consists of both prejudice and discrimination based in social perceptions of biological differences between peoples. It often takes the form of social actions, practices or beliefs, or political systems that consider different races to be ranked as inherently superior or inferior to each other, based on presumed shared inheritable traits, abilities, or qualities. It may also hold that members of different races should be treated differently.

What you are is privileged. Nobody is born racist; that's a result of a culture/society/upbringing.

 

[Kanzler]

this

I agree mostly with these definitions. My experience with the term is largely through a historical context, so the word means most in the contexts of a racist ideology, a racist regime, racist social attitudes etc etc.

That being said, I think I can be pretty racist at times. I get really annoyed at white people for being insincerely polite. I'd be a lot happier if they cussed me out if they really had to. "Well I'm sorry, but..." No. No. You're not.

 

[Poki]

That being said, I think I can be pretty racist at times. I get really annoyed at white people for being insincerely polite. I'd be a lot happier if they cussed me out if they really had to. "Well I'm sorry, but..." No. No. You're not.

Those overly nice white surburban families creep me out, man.

 

[Entermaid]

I agree mostly with these definitions. My experience with the term is largely through a historical context, so the word means most in the contexts of a racist ideology, a racist regime, racist social attitudes etc etc.

That being said, I think I can be pretty racist at times. I get really annoyed at white people for being insincerely polite. I'd be a lot happier if they cussed me out if they really had to. "Well I'm sorry, but..." No. No. You're not.

But Asians are very so delicate...:p

I completely understand what you are saying though. I think it has a lot to do with social anxiety on the part of many white folks. "Oh no, someone different, not sure how to act...don't want to seem racially insensitive, should I ignore them, should I go out of my way to say hi/chit-chat with"...ect.

That's why the few black friends I had in my old town HATED when people would refer to them as "African-Americans". Same with gay people. Tolerant straight men ask the most annoying questions, haha. It's not bad, I sometimes get a kick out of it. "Am I attractive? Would you date me?" "Why do you want to get married, marriage is awful!"

I just get annoyed when these harmless comical questions become, well, the ONLY topics of discussion.

PS I missed you Kazlar/John/BlahIsuck

 

[Keiran]

Uh, Kieran, that's not what racism means. Racism is defined as:





What you are is privileged. Nobody is born racist; that's a result of a culture/society/upbringing.

I'm very aware of what it means. Benefiting from racism is racism. My privilege is brought about through racism. But that doesn't mean I'm prejudiced, which I explained, and what the OP was technically asking. ;)

 

[Nah]

I'm very aware of what it means. Benefiting from racism is racism. My privilege is brought about through racism. But that doesn't mean I'm prejudiced, which I explained, and what the OP was technically asking. ;)

I'm....not sure you do. You and I are privileged because we were born white into a society that favors whites. You and I don't harbor any prejudice or hatred towards other races, so we are not racist. Racism is a sociological/psychological thing, not a biological thing; skin pigmentation doesn't program anyone to automatically hate another race. Privilege comes from racism, yes, but it's not the same thing as prejudice. It's not like either of us chose to be born white, right?

Or am I the one missing something here? I'm not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed......

 

[Rogue planet]

Keiran I understand what you're saying, but Zekrom is right and I don't think we can refer to that as racism. Just because you benefit from privilege doesn't make you racist, sexist, classist etc.etc.

 

[Treecko]

I try not to be racist. However, every now and then I can judge people based on their skin color, and associate them with the stereotypes of their race. Sometimes I've seen black people in public, and assumed they were a gangster or a criminal, and would walk the opposite direction to avoid interaction with. Lately I've been doing I'm best to avoid doing stuff like that and to not judge based on race. I know that not all blacks are criminals or not all Arabs are terrorists, and that there a lot of nice people of both respective races. And of course like a lot of people, I do make the occasional race joke, though those are always intended to be just for fun.

 

[Shiny Bunnelby]

I'm actually quite dumbfounded by racism. I focus more on how people interact with and treat others. If someone is a ****** person, then I won't like them. I can laugh at racist jokes, because I get where they come from and know well that it's all in jest. But do I assume that a person is a specific way based on race or ethnicity? Nah. I'd be right pissed off myself if somebody made assumptions about me being white, considering it has happened and I called them out.

But I won't deny... I do love Starbucks. I don't get the hype with UGG Boots, however.