To a point, we're all selective. Does that mean racist? In my opinion, racist is just one more of many means by which one person/group of low self esteem will use to make themselves appear better than other persons/groups.
Racism - Come on down & Splain yourself Eh.
- Thread starter Goober
- Start date
You're not slow for not knowing a definition of racism... that's damn smart imo. Words are slippery, definitions brutal to pin down at times.
Gawd, tell me about it. I have a heck of a time trying to discuss something when I don't even know what it is! (Slow..told ya'...).
By the way, what's an "imo?" (I'm not up to speed on all the lingo...slow, again!!)
I tried to solve that one myself, but I could only come up with:
:?:I Might Object
:?:Intricate Modus Operandi
:?:Incredibly Masochistic Octopus
:?:Isolated Marsupial Offspring
...and so on...am I close?
I'd like to throw something out there....
Is making an assumption (and/or sticking by it despite proof otherwise) about someone based on their skin colour intrinsically worse than making assumptions based on political affiliation, religion, country of origin, taste in beer, health care opinions, fiscal views, etc?
On this forum, I see people who decide every day that someone thinks, feels, or acts a certain way, based on a small snapshot of their opinion, and few are ever apologetic for their mistaken assumptions.
Is making an assumption (and/or sticking by it despite proof otherwise) about someone based on their skin colour intrinsically worse than making assumptions based on political affiliation, religion, country of origin, taste in beer, health care opinions, fiscal views, etc?
On this forum, I see people who decide every day that someone thinks, feels, or acts a certain way, based on a small snapshot of their opinion, and few are ever apologetic for their mistaken assumptions.
imo... in my opinion. Sorry countryboy, a lot of people will use shorthand, you'll get used to it. Google was my resource for figuring those out when I started (and I still have to look some up :smile
Now there's a question, Karrie. Hmm...my answer would likely something like...it depends on the damage (or hurt) done to the person by those assumptions, or perhaps, actions would be a better choice. In other words, I can't be hurt by someone's assumptions, but the corresponding actions could possibly do some damage.
But again, it is a hell of a good question.
Gotta' run for a while, so have to bow out and let greater minds prevail (which pretty much leaves the field open to everyone!)...will check back in later.
You beat me to it!!!
Maybe a broader definition (as opposed to narrower) is needed in this
discussion.....and maybe "Racism" isn't the right word, thought I'm not
sure what the correct Label would be.
The concept of "Prejudicing for or against someone based on personal
and preconceived stereotypes" would be the definition but I'm at a loss
for a word that definition belongs to.
Using that definition, people could beat each other over the head based
on more than race....and could include occupations, incomes, area's in
a region that they reside in, Nationalities, political leanings whether they
are valid observations or not, Religions, educational levels, heights and
weights and appearances, and any other thing that can make anyone
different than anyone else.
I don't know what kind of "*****ism" that would be, but it would smell just
as nasty as Racism does....
Well, all I can say is I'm glad I'm not the only one with a tinge of uncertainty on this one. :smile:
One way to get to what it is, might be to first throw out all the things it is not. The old process of elimination thing. Boy, this is getting very interesting...
Yep....and your post lead to mine....and you're probably shorter/taller and
heavier/lighter and live in a bigger/smaller house than I do too, 'cuz all people
like you are like that!!! Right? Yeah....yeah...I heard that somewhere...
Don't have an 'ism' for you Ron, but I do have a list of word suggestions. Might one of them do?
Discrimination
Bias
Favouritism
Unfairness
Inequity
Bigotry
Intolerance
:?:
Nah. We're all full of prejudices and biases. That's because we are all different. That means because of genetics and experiences, we hold different viewpoints. Some things simply work for some people and not for others. Some persons starts walking with their left feet first and others use their right feet first. Some people have extremely pale skin color, some are pinkish, others have an olive tinge to theirs, or a tanned color. Some people are politically left, some right. We are a product of genetics and environment. There is no right or wrong about that, only how we use those differences to view others can be right or wrong.
Most of those would work, but "*****ism" has an air of mystery to it, and I've
already "*****ismed" against Lone Wolf it seems....
yep... that's what happens when we all get caught in an intellectual circle jerk. :lol:
(sorry, but Ron set that up too damn well)
Bigotry is the best description, IMO, of one's using differences to detrimentally judge others.
Okay, Ron. I went and dug up these 'isms' for you. Homophobia lacks the 'ism' but we could always make it 'homophobism' so it fits the 'ism' thingee. :smile:
sexism = discrimination against men or women because of their sex
ageism = discrimination or prejudice against people of specific ages, especially in employment
homophobia = an irrational hatred, disapproval, or fear of homosexuality, gay and lesbian people, or their culture
ethnocentrism = a belief in or assumption of the superiority of the social or cultural group that a person belongs to
Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes - Jane Elliot
[SIZE=+1]Jane Elliott, internationally known teacher, lecturer, diversity trainer, and recipient of the National Mental Health Association Award for Excellence in Education, exposes prejudice and bigotry for what it is, an irrational class system based upon purely arbitrary factors. And if you think this does not apply to you. . . you are in for a rude awakening. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]In response to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. over thirty years ago, Jane Elliott devised the controversial and startling, "Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes" exercise. This, now famous, exercise labels participants as inferior or superior based solely upon the color of their eyes and exposes them to the experience of being a minority. Everyone who is exposed to Jane Elliott's work, be it through a lecture, workshop, or video, is dramatically affected by it. [/SIZE]
A Collar In My Pocket
[SIZE=+1]This is a one-day seminar in which participants will be exposed to an exercise in discrimination based on eye color. Blue-eyed participants will be identified as the inferior group and all the negative stereotypes ordinarily applied to people of color and women by white people and men will be applied to them. Those people having green or hazel eyes will be designated inferior or superior as the instructor sees fit.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]The first phase of the exercise will include: separating the group according to eye color, collaring the Blues and detaining them in a holding room, conditioning the Browns as to what the exercise is all about and what is expected of them, bringing the Blues into the meeting room and exposing them to the discriminatory treatment, teaching them the listening skills in an atmosphere in which they will be expected to fail, introducing them to a brief American History lesson as biased as minorities have heard history throughout their educational experience in this country, giving them a culturally-biased test which Blues will not be expected to pass and won't, and continually accusing the Blues of incompetence resulting from their eye color.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]During the second phase of the exercise, each participant will be asked to write a brief description of what she has done, felt, seen, or heard during the discriminatory period. After a short break-during which Blues will be allowed to leave the room unescorted and have coffee for the first time during the day-all participants will form a circle and a thorough discussion of the morning activity and its implications for all concerned will be led by the instructor. All comments will be respected, but all issues will be met and dealt with. Racist remarks and attitudes will be identified and clarified.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]After a lunch break the participants will return to the circle for the third phase of the seminar which will include a second debriefing during which the instructor will introduce and show a relevant film and conduct a question/answer period about the film and its application for all of us. Participants will then be given a bibliography, a list of racist statements and their clarifications, and a list of activities that individuals can do to eliminate racism, sexism and ageism in themselves and their environments.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]The final stage of the seminar will consist of participants completing an evaluation of the seminar and receiving a collar for their pocket. This is a clear acrylic key ring in the shape of an eye, the eyeball of which is a tiny green collar identical to the one that the Blues were forced to wear during the exercise. [/SIZE]
These are the statements that students in the exercise must complete.
Put an "X" before those statements that represent your present beliefs or an "O" before those that represent previously held beliefs.
[SIZE=+1]Jane Elliott, internationally known teacher, lecturer, diversity trainer, and recipient of the National Mental Health Association Award for Excellence in Education, exposes prejudice and bigotry for what it is, an irrational class system based upon purely arbitrary factors. And if you think this does not apply to you. . . you are in for a rude awakening. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]In response to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. over thirty years ago, Jane Elliott devised the controversial and startling, "Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes" exercise. This, now famous, exercise labels participants as inferior or superior based solely upon the color of their eyes and exposes them to the experience of being a minority. Everyone who is exposed to Jane Elliott's work, be it through a lecture, workshop, or video, is dramatically affected by it. [/SIZE]
A Collar In My Pocket
[SIZE=+1]This is a one-day seminar in which participants will be exposed to an exercise in discrimination based on eye color. Blue-eyed participants will be identified as the inferior group and all the negative stereotypes ordinarily applied to people of color and women by white people and men will be applied to them. Those people having green or hazel eyes will be designated inferior or superior as the instructor sees fit.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]The first phase of the exercise will include: separating the group according to eye color, collaring the Blues and detaining them in a holding room, conditioning the Browns as to what the exercise is all about and what is expected of them, bringing the Blues into the meeting room and exposing them to the discriminatory treatment, teaching them the listening skills in an atmosphere in which they will be expected to fail, introducing them to a brief American History lesson as biased as minorities have heard history throughout their educational experience in this country, giving them a culturally-biased test which Blues will not be expected to pass and won't, and continually accusing the Blues of incompetence resulting from their eye color.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]During the second phase of the exercise, each participant will be asked to write a brief description of what she has done, felt, seen, or heard during the discriminatory period. After a short break-during which Blues will be allowed to leave the room unescorted and have coffee for the first time during the day-all participants will form a circle and a thorough discussion of the morning activity and its implications for all concerned will be led by the instructor. All comments will be respected, but all issues will be met and dealt with. Racist remarks and attitudes will be identified and clarified.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]After a lunch break the participants will return to the circle for the third phase of the seminar which will include a second debriefing during which the instructor will introduce and show a relevant film and conduct a question/answer period about the film and its application for all of us. Participants will then be given a bibliography, a list of racist statements and their clarifications, and a list of activities that individuals can do to eliminate racism, sexism and ageism in themselves and their environments.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]The final stage of the seminar will consist of participants completing an evaluation of the seminar and receiving a collar for their pocket. This is a clear acrylic key ring in the shape of an eye, the eyeball of which is a tiny green collar identical to the one that the Blues were forced to wear during the exercise. [/SIZE]
These are the statements that students in the exercise must complete.
Put an "X" before those statements that represent your present beliefs or an "O" before those that represent previously held beliefs.
- ___ Just what do these people want anyway?
- ___ I don't understand what you people are saying.
- ___ On the whole, the educated, the upper classes, the emotionally mature, and the deeply religious are
much less racist. - ___ Other ethnic groups had to struggle. Why is it so different for the Blacks?
- ___ Angry minorities make me feel so helpless.
- ___ Racism exists only where minorities exist. Remove the minorities and we won't have these problems.
- ___ (To a minority) No matter what I say or do, it doesn't suit you. You are never satisfied. As far as
you're concerned, I can't do anything right. - ___ If you could just get people feeling good about themselves, there would be less racism.
- ___ I'm not racist, but when it comes right down to it, I wouldn't marry a Black person.
- ___ I should not be held responsible for the behavior of my ancestors.
- ___ I'm with them up to the point where they want to break the law or do something illegal.
- ___ How can I be pro-Black without being anti-White?
- ___ I am not personally responsible for the policies of racist institutions.
- ___ The most important things minorities need are an education and the vote.
- ___ (White) people would not have to integrate if they don't want to.
- ___ Love can't be legislated.
- ___ What are we going to do to alleviate the Black problem?
- ___ Every person should be judged solely on the basis of his or her accomplishments, regardless of race.
- ___ We (Whites) should get a little more appreciation for what we are doing to help.
- ___ Some of my best friends are Black.
- ___ (Said to a Black person) I've gotten to know you so well that I just don't see you as Black anymore.
- ___ Every time I express my opinion to a Black person, I get put down.
- ___ On the basis of statistics, it's true that there is a higher crime rate in the ghetto.
- ___ Black people are more in tune with their feelings; they are more emotional.
- ___ In many situations, minorities are paranoid and oversensitive. They read more into the situation than
is really there. They find discrimination because they are always looking for it. - ___ Why don't they just relax.
Sorry, DB, but 'evil' doesn't explain racism all that well. Ignorance, lack of empathy, lack of a decent education, and generational prejudice gets close though.
But then, that's just my opinion.
I have seen and read enough from the educated to know that ignorance, lack of empathy and generational prejudice are some of the commonest symptoms of evil. You will find many evil people who are just as you said and more. High education in no way encumbers evil in fact in many cases it enhances it. I'll stick with my idea that racism is evil.