Everyone's A Racist?

[logansrogue]

Was reading that little argument here. I've heard that one a lot from people who are accused of being racist.

Now, I have a really hard time with that argument. Cause I honestly don't think I'm racist. I'm definitely ignorant of some cultures, but I'm very eager to learn about other people's ways of doing things, I find it all very enriching and wonderful. I may have certain prejudices, but they're most certainly not based on race.

So what do you think about that argument? I'd like to know.

Comments

[fengi.livejournal.com]

So I take it he used the name "Pablo" before?

Doesn't change how he's the sort of whiny asshole customer retails sorts love to give bad service because they fail at basic social skills are transparently condescending. You can tell these sorts are mentally calling you names (such as "Pablo", or "peon" if you're not a minority) and you delight in giving them the shitty service he deserves.

I've never had problems with service at Best Buy. But then I'm not a bottom dwelling gamer shithead.

[nephron.livejournal.com]

Absolutely I believe that all white people are racist- that doesn't mean that all white people hate people of colour, but everyone has prejudices even if they don't recognise them.

That doesn't mean it is OK.

[strangedave.livejournal.com]

*Ultimately* these things always get down to fine points of definition. Technically, if you understand that culture is the primary determinant of human behaviour, and think there are very few differences between people that are due to race/genetics, you are probably aren't racist. But a lot of people define racism more broadly, to include having subconscious prejudices, to drawing attention to race unnecessarily, and so on. On broader definitions, either almost everyone or everyone is racist.

Personally, I think defining racist too broadly isn't particularly useful, so I wuldn't say 'we are all racist', but I would say we can all behave in a racist way unless we try very hard not too. If you think you aren't racist, that probably means you are only racist occasionally, probably without even realising it.

[wiccarowan.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid to say that the first thing to spring to mind was this.

[sir-devans.livejournal.com]

Racism isn't ignorance, or the misjudgements made about a person because of ignorance. Its the intolerance and hatred based in the ignorant belief that someone is fundementally different from you merely because of their race.