Am I Racist?

[Blow_Pop]

profiling and prejudice. Just like I hate how most of the black people around here talk(like they're uneducated and stuff) and especially hate it when the white people and mexicans and asians around here do it...(though it is fairly hilarious to hear the asians talk like that) but that's more a matter of half these people I went to school with and KNOW they can speak correctly they just don't because its "cool" to be a "gangster" and speak like the rappers and shit.

 

[Zarkov]

There's a difference between generating trends and being racist. Racism is when you hate a race of people for no good reason. Do you hate blacks for no good reason? Or do you make a trend about black people describing what they (by majority) do?

If the stereotype exists, then there's a reason for it existing. Stereotypes are fine unless they affect your behavior towards the person. You can't act upon stereotypes (lest being an asshole or worse racist), although you can and humanly will make them.

Only when you hate(or think negatively of) a race of people unconditionally will you be considered racist. When you're at the point where you can't get along with someone or become friends with someone because of their race solely, you're racist.

 

[baker80]

Yes you are.

 

[Mikkaddo]

I realize there's no way to write this without coming off as KIND of racist, and yet i wanna see if the internet at large could understand my line of thinking and see why it may NOT be racist.

Now see, there's this kid in one of my classes this year who really rubs me the wrong way. He thinks he's all that, he glorifies his pot use, he's rarely polite, and is terribly condescending.

He also happens to be black.
There are white kids in my school who are also they like this, and i dislike them as much as much as i dislike him and other black students such as him.

yet i tend to associate that kind of attitude with black people, because the majority of the black students in my school act like that.


So it's not that i hate black people, i hate people who act like that, but i tend to associate that type of behavior with black people, but only because the black students at my school all tend to act somewhat like that.

Does this make me racist?

Here's how you tell if anything is racist:

Are you saying this because of one person? y/n
Are you saying it because of the color of skin? y/n
Are you saying it is the entire group because of the influence of a sole example? y/n
Are you saying it because it's generally seen as true for the majority of a group, number of groups regardless of region, skin color etc.? y/n

there you go . . . simple.

 

[the protaginist]

*snip snip*

Well, as far as "densely populated urban areas" go, all of the students who go to my school live basically within a four mile radius of each other, and we all live in a small town in pennsylvania, so, there you are. I happen to have friends who live up the street from said student, and are upstanding people, as far as teenagers go.

*Snippity doo-dah, snippity-ay*

honestly i'd say it's because i know far more whites who AREN'T like that opposed to blacks who aren't.

 

[Zarkov]

yet i tend to associate that kind of attitude with black people, because the majority of the black students in my school act like that.

It's this part.

Associating "that kind of attitude with black people" when you've said there are white students who act the same way is where you're in danger of having a racist idea. You admit in your post that there are both black and white students who are jerks and pot-smokers at the same time, but you only associate the behavior with the one race. That's a problem, but you're at least worried about it, so that's a good sign.

The question you might want to ask yourself is: why do I only associate that behavior with the one and not the other? What's the answer? That will tell you where you are as to being racist or not - or becoming not racist anymore, if you were - it isn't a permanent thing.

I think you don't understand his situation. While white kids act that way, they are (in theory) out numbered by the amount of black kids who act that way. Thus he sees black kids acting this way much more often, and therefore associates this with black kids. this is not racism, this is human nature: humans make trends and patterns to make sense of their world. Making trends and patterns simplifies the way you see something and thus the brain makes the connection. It's the same way some one sees a square out of a grid of smaller squares. Psychology right thar

 

[Kurea]

Stupid is as stupid does.

If the idea of a black person being courteous and considerate offends you (because obviously blacks aren't able to behave that way, right?), you're racist. If, on the other hand, you welcome the kindness because it should be expected of everyone, you're not racist. It depends on if your sentiments are based on the area you live in, or on melanin levels.

If possible, travel a bit here and there, then see if you feel the same way.

 

[EasySt17]

Well, as far as "densely populated urban areas" go, all of the students who go to my school live basically within a four mile radius of each other, and we all live in a small town in pennsylvania, so, there you are. I happen to have friends who live up the street from said student, and are upstanding people, as far as teenagers go.

Two things...no such thing as an upstanding person as far a teenagers go...(yeah take that bait bitches) and the east is a densely populated region.

 

[MegaManOfNumbers]

Funny thing, that's how racism of the developed world occurs, when a human of different ethnicity fails to show that they are a NORMAL citizen and hide behind the Racism stigma to avoid repercussions.

 

[Mylinkay Asdara]

yet i tend to associate that kind of attitude with black people, because the majority of the black students in my school act like that.

It's this part.

Associating "that kind of attitude with black people" when you've said there are white students who act the same way is where you're in danger of having a racist idea. You admit in your post that there are both black and white students who are jerks and pot-smokers at the same time, but you only associate the behavior with the one race. That's a problem, but you're at least worried about it, so that's a good sign.

The question you might want to ask yourself is: why do I only associate that behavior with the one and not the other? What's the answer? That will tell you where you are as to being racist or not - or becoming not racist anymore, if you were - it isn't a permanent thing.

I think you don't understand his situation. While white kids act that way, they are (in theory) out numbered by the amount of black kids who act that way. Thus he sees black kids acting this way much more often, and therefore associates this with black kids. this is not racism, this is human nature: humans make trends and patterns to make sense of their world. Making trends and patterns simplifies the way you see something and thus the brain makes the connection. It's the same way some one sees a square out of a grid of smaller squares. Psychology right thar

You miss my point a bit I think.

If all you say is the case, that still doesn't cover why he or she is associating this attitude with black people rather than, say, drug users or stoners or low achievers or braggarts, or jerks.

When it's a mix of white and black people having the attitude, associating it with one and not the other is racist. If he or she was prejudiced only towards the behavior set, that would be just fine, as has been pointed out.

*Snippity doo-dah, snippity-ay*

honestly i'd say it's because i know far more whites who AREN'T like that opposed to blacks who aren't.

People who are "like that" should be the subject of your experiential prejudice, not only the portion of them from another race. (read above)

 

[Happy Sock Puppet]

Nah, not racist, you seem to be thinking about why you think this way. I think anyone who wears saggy pants is a complete dumbass. But I do not hate them. Lots of black people do this. I am one of the least racist people ever. You are fine, just try and keep the hate to a minimum.

 

[Faladorian]

I realize there's no way to write this without coming off as KIND of racist, and yet i wanna see if the internet at large could understand my line of thinking and see why it may NOT be racist.

Now see, there's this kid in one of my classes this year who really rubs me the wrong way. He thinks he's all that, he glorifies his pot use, he's rarely polite, and is terribly condescending.

He also happens to be black.
There are white kids in my school who are also they like this, and i dislike them as much as much as i dislike him and other black students such as him.

yet i tend to associate that kind of attitude with black people, because the majority of the black students in my school act like that.


So it's not that i hate black people, i hate people who act like that, but i tend to associate that type of behavior with black people, but only because the black students at my school all tend to act somewhat like that.

Does this make me racist?

Not really. Prejudiced, yes. But the way you put it, it's actually a true statement.

Here:

Druggy --> Black Generally true in your demographic, but prejudiced.

Black --> Druggy Racism.

See the difference?

 

[Stall]

Everyone is a just little racist. If you say so otherwise, then you are outright lying. There's nothing wrong with it in minor quantities.

 

[funguy2121]

snip

No, you just hate idiots. Yatzhee's review of 50 Cent: Blood in The Sand covered this more eloquently than I've ever heard. If you can't call someone out for being a douchebag who "shoves thousands of dollars worth of diamonds in their mouth while living in a hovel and treats women like a dog that you stick your boner in" (paraphrased) for fear that you will be called a racist, well that is racist in itself. Dickheads come in every color of the rainbow, morons as well. You shouldn't even have to point out that you dislike white douchebags as well; you should simply say that you don't believe in rewarding jagoff behavior.

 

[funguy2121]

You aren't racist. Don't worry. I think racism is because you dislike (no matter how much) a race for no logical first party reason.

There is nothing wrong with a bit of prejudice. You just need to know when to use it. For example. If you see a white or black male, in a hoody walking toward you with his hands in his pockets, you're going to be a bit prejudice. He could seriously harm you, or he could be part of a charity, giving you pamflets. It's a lot safer to assume he's going to hurt you.

Now take the exact same scenario, and replace it with a woman. You would probably still think of a worst case scenario, but is it as bad as the scenario you imagined with the male hoody? I figure not, the male hoody in your mind will be more problematic than the woman.

This is why prejudice isn't always a bad thing. It can protect you in ways you don't even realize. Of course prejudice can be used for stupid things like 'all Asians can do math.' That of course is silly, the Asian community are no more intelligent than the rest of humanity. Or are they?

Is this why y'all let Lady Sovereign walk around in her hoody - 'cos she's a girl?

Maybe it's a cultural thing, but we don't see the hoody as a gangbanger/miscreant/ne'er-do-well signifier here in the States.

 

[the protaginist]

People who are "like that" should be the subject of your experiential prejudice, not only the portion of them from another race. (read above

I think your right. I have no problem with black people because they're black, i have a problem with people i think are impolite and obnoxious. This is the ultimate white guy defense, but i DO have 2 very close friends who are black, and i know not every black person is like what one imagines the stereotypical black person to be. it's just that most black students at my school tend to act like the kind of person i don't like, yet that's more an issue of character then color.

I'm confusing myself here, so prehaps i'll stop responding to messages and just read them.

 

[Mylinkay Asdara]

People who are "like that" should be the subject of your experiential prejudice, not only the portion of them from another race. (read above

I think your right. I have no problem with black people because they're black, i have a problem with people i think are impolite and obnoxious. This is the ultimate white guy defense, but i DO have 2 very close friends who are black, and i know not every black person is like what one imagines the stereotypical black person to be. it's just that most black students at my school tend to act like the kind of person i don't like, yet that's more an issue of character then color.

I'm confusing myself here, so prehaps i'll stop responding to messages and just read them.

More an issue of character than color - that's the key, you got it. You'll be fine

 

[Wushu Panda]

I would say that is pretty damn racist.

Well, why would you say that? I do agree with those who say it is profiling, but i would halfheartedly argue against prejudice that while i tend to think that most black students act like this, i won't dislike them until they start acting like it. if they don't act like that, that's cool, we can be friends. I didn't actually think the kid in question was that bad before he started acting like he does, and that's when i thought "Oh, he's one of them."

A douchebag, that is. Not black.

If you weren't racist you would've put it out of your head and continued going through life being friendly to all people judging people solely on their character and how they treat others. The fact you had to post it on the internet to ask strangers as to whether or not you are racist proves that you believe you are, subconsciously or not.

See Avenue Q song above, bless you for posting it before me.

 

[Nerfherder17]

I guess not, because the hatred isnt directed entirely to black people. But I'm white so I have no idea if people would be offended by that.

 

[Robert Ewing]

You aren't racist. Don't worry. I think racism is because you dislike (no matter how much) a race for no logical first party reason.

There is nothing wrong with a bit of prejudice. You just need to know when to use it. For example. If you see a white or black male, in a hoody walking toward you with his hands in his pockets, you're going to be a bit prejudice. He could seriously harm you, or he could be part of a charity, giving you pamflets. It's a lot safer to assume he's going to hurt you.

Now take the exact same scenario, and replace it with a woman. You would probably still think of a worst case scenario, but is it as bad as the scenario you imagined with the male hoody? I figure not, the male hoody in your mind will be more problematic than the woman.

This is why prejudice isn't always a bad thing. It can protect you in ways you don't even realize. Of course prejudice can be used for stupid things like 'all Asians can do math.' That of course is silly, the Asian community are no more intelligent than the rest of humanity. Or are they?

Is this why y'all let Lady Sovereign walk around in her hoody - 'cos she's a girl?

Maybe it's a cultural thing, but we don't see the hoody as a gangbanger/miscreant/ne'er-do-well signifier here in the States.

Sorry! A hoody looking down with his hood up is almost certainly going to get up to some mischief in Britain. I forgot that's only really something that happens in Europe.

But yeah, Basically it's fine to call a black person a douchebag because he's a douchebag. Don't call a black person a douchebag, because he's black.