What is racism?

[Vanni Fucci]

If it can be found that a certain race, based on accurate stats, is disproportionally responsible for a negative aspect in society, I do not believe this should be used to put down the entire race. I just don't believe that simply stating the fact should be dubbed racists. The fact is a fact, what a person does with that fact can become racist.

...and that is what I've been trying to explain all along...that stats can show many things...but if you use those stats, no matter how accurate they are, to denigrate another race, then that is racist...

For instance:

DISCLAIMER: None of what I am about to say is actual statistic, and is not endorsed by this site, or the administrator or moderators hereof. So don't any racists out there try to use this as an excuse to be bastards.

If a statistic were to show that 63% of all gun related murders were committed by black people, and then that statistic is used to deny a legally entitled black person from obtaining a firearm, then that is racism...

Likewise, if a statistic were to show that 83% of all collisions were caused by Asian people, and that statistic is then used to deny Asian people from getting a license, then that too is racist...

Notice that in neither of these cases is the percentage at 100, yet the discrimination is used to encompass all...and that is the effect of racism...people will no longer make the distinction between individuals and the whole...

 

[Twila]

What about mixed ethnic races? How will you be able to decide which qualities were given a person by which race?

 

[Vanni Fucci]

Claiming superiority over another race is arrogant, racist, and dehumanizing...those claiming superiority over another race have counter evolved, and should be swinging from the trees... :evil:

Why and how? I mean, why can we say that a Bloodhound has superior smell over a Chihuahua? They're both dogs, should I view them as equals in terms of smell? Of course if I had both dogs, I would treat them the same and care for them the same, but I couldn’t deny the fact that one has a better sense of smell than the other.

Again, your stating characteristics and stereotypes, which have nothing to do with race.

 

[DasFX]

For instance:

If a statistic were to show that 63% of all gun related murders were committed by black people, and then that statistic is used to deny a legally entitled black person from obtaining a firearm, then that is racism...

Likewise, if a statistic were to show that 83% of all collisions were caused by Asian people, and that statistic is then used to deny Asian people from getting a license, then that too is racist...

Notice that in neither of these cases is the percentage at 100, yet the discrimination is used to encompass all...and that is the effect of racism...people will no longer make the distinction between individuals and the whole...

Absolutely, that is racism. It would be a poor interpretation of stats to all of a sudden deny any black person a legal firearm or all orientals a drivers license. I do not believe I have ever stated or justified in any way these such actions. What I don't think is racist is simply making the statement (if true) If 83% of auto accident were caused by orientals, then a person stating this fact is not racist.

 

[DasFX]

Re: RE: What is racism?

What about mixed ethnic races? How will you be able to decide which qualities were given a person by which race?

This is an interesting subject, and one that will have more data in coming years as more and more people start "Race Mixing" (as the KKK call it). We will see what types of traits are dominant and recessive, cause as you know genetics is never just a simply blend.

 

[DasFX]

Why and how? I mean, why can we say that a Bloodhound has superior smell over a Chihuahua? They're both dogs, should I view them as equals in terms of smell? Of course if I had both dogs, I would treat them the same and care for them the same, but I couldn’t deny the fact that one has a better sense of smell than the other.

Again, your stating characteristics and stereotypes, which have nothing to do with race.

Are you kidding me? You don't believe that Bloodhounds (a race of dogs) has a superior sense of smell over Chihuahuas (another race of dogs)?

Man, I hope you don't work in law enforcement; I'd hate to see you get your Chihuahuas out to track down the scent of some criminal? So are the police forces racists for recruiting only certain races of dogs, rather than having equal opportunity for poodles and terriers?

 

[Vanni Fucci]

Why and how? I mean, why can we say that a Bloodhound has superior smell over a Chihuahua? They're both dogs, should I view them as equals in terms of smell? Of course if I had both dogs, I would treat them the same and care for them the same, but I couldn’t deny the fact that one has a better sense of smell than the other.

Again, your stating characteristics and stereotypes, which have nothing to do with race.

Are you kidding me? You don't believe that Bloodhounds (a race of dogs) has a superior sense of smell over Chihuahuas (another race of dogs)?

Man, I hope you don't work in law enforcement; I'd hate to see you get your Chihuahuas out to track down the scent of some criminal? So are the police forces racists for recruiting only certain races of dogs, rather than having equal opportunity for poodles and terriers?

What you may or may not realize Das is that people generally don't like to be stereotyped. Dogs don't seem to give a shit either way...

 

[Gordon J Torture]

What you may or may not realize Das is that people generally don't like to be stereotyped. Dogs don't seem to give a shit either way...

I am with Das, there is a difference between biological fact and stereotypical remarks.

 

[DasFX]

Why and how? I mean, why can we say that a Bloodhound has superior smell over a Chihuahua? They're both dogs, should I view them as equals in terms of smell? Of course if I had both dogs, I would treat them the same and care for them the same, but I couldn’t deny the fact that one has a better sense of smell than the other.

Again, your stating characteristics and stereotypes, which have nothing to do with race.

Are you kidding me? You don't believe that Bloodhounds (a race of dogs) has a superior sense of smell over Chihuahuas (another race of dogs)?

Man, I hope you don't work in law enforcement; I'd hate to see you get your Chihuahuas out to track down the scent of some criminal? So are the police forces racists for recruiting only certain races of dogs, rather than having equal opportunity for poodles and terriers?

What you may or may not realize Das is that people generally don't like to be stereotyped. Dogs don't seem to give a shit either way...

Well I guess you don't believe in taxonomy then, cause you don't seem to want to classify or group anything or anyone. Dogs or humans; animals are animals.

I mean ask any child what they first think of when they hear the word bird and they will say fly or flying. Most people will say the same thing, but we all know there are exceptions. But is it wrong to say that in general birds fly? Like it or not, the different races of humans are sub sets of the same species and what makes them different? Well different evolutionary paths so there are differences and there is nothing wrong with pointing them out.

 

[Nessie_ox]

Hey, well i'm doing a project on racism, and i think racism is totally and utterly wrong, its disgusting in my opinion.
uh yes.

 

[I think not]

There isn't a human being on the planet that isn't racist to certain degree.

If we all could just admit
That we are racist a little bit,
Even though we all know
That it's wrong,
Maybe it would help us
Get along.

 

[mrmom2]

Hey I'm not racist I hate everybody equally ITN how many times I got to tell ya!

 

[I think not]

Hey I'm not racist I hate everybody equally ITN how many times I got to tell ya!

You're also a HOLY advisor I see

 

[mrmom2]

Well holy shit I did not notice that Thanks ITN 8) Now what should a holy advisor do for advice?Hmmmm

 

[I think not]

Well holy shit I did not notice that Thanks ITN 8) Now what should a holy advisor do for advice?Hmmmm

How do we encourage putting out welcome mats more

 

[hairball]

Racism exists even among people of same colors. Example East Indians can be Pakistan Muslims, India Hindhus, Bengal Sikhs, Srilankan Tamils who are divided politically, religion and cultural wise. Even the Chinese are segregated in to groups. Mainland China Chinese are using China current military power and export surplus to threaten Taiwanese with nukes. Hongkong Chinese look down on Mainland Chinese for their crudeness like spitting, poor food hygiene, and women eager to become concubines in exchange for comfortable lives. Japanese despise their lowest caste who clean toilets and other dirty works. I think they call them ?urukimin?

 

[Cosmo]

Dictionary.Com defines racism as:

1) The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.

2) Discrimination or prejudice based on race.

Don't know how I missed this thread! Good topic, DasFX!

I agree with you DaxFX. I think some races of people ARE better at some things than others. I think both nature and nurture are responsible for certain qualities becoming more pronounced in various cultures. Dark skinned people are better at being in the sun than a red headed Irish. Oriental people are generally short in stature. East Indian women frequently have beautiful skin. Just facts, not a racial statements.

We've become so PC that it's taboo to even discuss the differences our heritages present. Recognizing the evolution of various traits does not a racist make, in my books.

It's also my belief that every single one of us harbours some prejudice. It may be a distaste for a physical characteristic, a cultural aspect or a philosophy, but I don't believe any of us are truly entirely free of discrimination. I strive to overcome my small-mindedness, but am not completely successful.

On the flip side, I have an affinity for certain cultures. In Mexico I stared in wonder at the people ... old, young, male, female ... I found them absolutely beautiful. That in itself is a prejudice.

 

[hairball]

Oriental people are generally short in stature. - Cosmos

Source: Wikipedia
"Some people think of the term oriental as offensive or politically incorrect, largely because of its perceived connection by some people with nineteenth century European and American attitudes about the region."

 

[Cosmo]

Oh oh ... PC Police! No insult intended, to be sure. If you're from the Orient, you're Oriental in my book. Not a judgement call, just a geographic descriptor.

 

[hairball]

hey no offence at all. I made the same faux pas so I thought you might be interested in the link.
Nice meeting you. How is Saturday at your end?