We were discussing attraction in psychology today and we did a worksheet, one of the questions being about what we find attractive in the opposite sex. When it got to which physical characteristics we find most attractive, I listed:
somewhat tall
healthy-looking, ie in good shape but not too skinny
dark hair
white skin
and some other things, but that last one was what got me in trouble. Now, at no point did I say I find other skin colors unattractive, and I did not say that I find colored people unattractive, just for their skin color. All I said was that it was one of many physical characteristics (saying nothing of personality and intellectual traits) that I find attractive. And also, it's not like I'd turn down a girl just because of her skin color, to me it's just one trait that I notice, and there are many more (saying nothing of intellectual and personality traits). To me, dating a black or asian girl would be no different than dating a blonde, yes I prefer dark to blonde hair but I can still find her attractive and nice (hopefully). I thought I was being honest about a personal opinion in a mature discussion about a mature topic.
In short, it's no different than my finding dark brown hair more attractive than light blonde hair. It's only a superficial thing.
Anyway, she didn't even give me a chance to explain what I meant by that, and wouldn't hear a word of it when I tried. Now I have to write a paper about racial tolerance. Is this right? Am I a racist, just for finding one skin color more physically appealing than the others?
EDIT/UPDATE: Okay, so the term 'colored people' comes off as racist. Just a poor choice of words on my part, sorry. I'd actually been told it was the politically correct term.
UPDATE 2.0: Wow, I had never expected this many replies! Thank you all Escapists for understanding. However, I think my teacher's response is a sign of a deeper problem, that is, our authorities so fear being accused of racism, that they themselves become racist, and attack anyone who even suggests that there is a difference (however superficial) between White, Black, Asian, Latino, etc. It's a liability avoidance and public image maintenance thing gone much too far. For the record, I did not write the paper (I loved all the suggestions about writing a paper about the biological basis of racism, and how our fear of being accused thereof causes us to become racists, etc. but I felt that doing so might come off as defensive or aggressive, which would simply enhance whatever point she was trying to make) and have told everyone in a position of authority at my school.
Simply put, the fact that some people so fear any hint of racism simply perpetuates it, just in a different form. Tragically, idiots like this are what is now keeping racism alive and well.
somewhat tall
healthy-looking, ie in good shape but not too skinny
dark hair
white skin
and some other things, but that last one was what got me in trouble. Now, at no point did I say I find other skin colors unattractive, and I did not say that I find colored people unattractive, just for their skin color. All I said was that it was one of many physical characteristics (saying nothing of personality and intellectual traits) that I find attractive. And also, it's not like I'd turn down a girl just because of her skin color, to me it's just one trait that I notice, and there are many more (saying nothing of intellectual and personality traits). To me, dating a black or asian girl would be no different than dating a blonde, yes I prefer dark to blonde hair but I can still find her attractive and nice (hopefully). I thought I was being honest about a personal opinion in a mature discussion about a mature topic.
In short, it's no different than my finding dark brown hair more attractive than light blonde hair. It's only a superficial thing.
Anyway, she didn't even give me a chance to explain what I meant by that, and wouldn't hear a word of it when I tried. Now I have to write a paper about racial tolerance. Is this right? Am I a racist, just for finding one skin color more physically appealing than the others?
EDIT/UPDATE: Okay, so the term 'colored people' comes off as racist. Just a poor choice of words on my part, sorry. I'd actually been told it was the politically correct term.
UPDATE 2.0: Wow, I had never expected this many replies! Thank you all Escapists for understanding. However, I think my teacher's response is a sign of a deeper problem, that is, our authorities so fear being accused of racism, that they themselves become racist, and attack anyone who even suggests that there is a difference (however superficial) between White, Black, Asian, Latino, etc. It's a liability avoidance and public image maintenance thing gone much too far. For the record, I did not write the paper (I loved all the suggestions about writing a paper about the biological basis of racism, and how our fear of being accused thereof causes us to become racists, etc. but I felt that doing so might come off as defensive or aggressive, which would simply enhance whatever point she was trying to make) and have told everyone in a position of authority at my school.
Simply put, the fact that some people so fear any hint of racism simply perpetuates it, just in a different form. Tragically, idiots like this are what is now keeping racism alive and well.
