Poll: Does being racist instantly make you a bad person?
- Thread starter Sparrow
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Don't think its a simple yes or no answer to be fair, questions like these always tend to have shades of grey.
In regards to your scenario though... I would need to know why they had these feelings or opinions; Like if its parental conditioning or previous negative experiences. Not necessarily to argue with them or call them on it but simply so I can justify my friend if I ever needed to and also to make sure they aren't just some ignorant prick.
In regards to your scenario though... I would need to know why they had these feelings or opinions; Like if its parental conditioning or previous negative experiences. Not necessarily to argue with them or call them on it but simply so I can justify my friend if I ever needed to and also to make sure they aren't just some ignorant prick.
I wonder if Asian people came up in your little test.EmileeElectro said:Well, he just seemed like he was purposely trying to piss me off. People accusing me of things I'm not sends me into a rage.
And btw.
We had to go round primary schools and teach children about it, especially how it works both ways.
To be honest, if a racist person wanted that certificate they could get it. They'd just have to lie.
Heh. I love your comments, simply because you always put so much thought into your answers. I don't think I've ever seen you post something with less than a few sentences of writing.Gingersalt said:
Also, I totally agree, but I couldn't make the OP anymore specific as I don't think people may have been able to relate to it.
Everyone is racist/sexist/nationalistic, etc.
rac·ism (rszm)
n.
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.
Everyone is racist. No exceptions.
What makes you a 'bad' person is really dependent on what you actually do.
Everyone treats guys/girls differently. Everyone treats ugly/beautiful people differently. You see another member of your race (common example: I know a lot of koreans and chinese who get free food if they visit a place without many asians) and you treat them better. Or treat another race worse. List goes on.
It is impossible to not have any type of prejudice or pre-formed opinion at ALL. The question is really whether you allow your opinion to change, be introduced to new information, etc.
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I have friends from pretty much every race on Earth. Iranian grad student, Chinese, German, Taiwan, Korean, Dutch, France, India, Brazil, Peru, and more I can't remember off the top of my head. I have been called racist before for various silly/amusing things like commenting on how virtually all the koreans I know drink "barley tea". It is an ASSUMPTION I made based on someone's race. So yes, it can be considered racist. Is there any harm in it? The koreans I said this to thought it was funny/true, a different friend thought I shouldn't have said that at all. Either way, what matters most to me in my own personal interpretation is MY intent.
If my intent is to make conversation, get to know you better, etc. then I couldn't careless about perceived racism. If my intent is to belittle, ignore or excuse myself from treating you like a human being, then yea, call me on it.
Corvuus
rac·ism (rszm)
n.
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.
Everyone is racist. No exceptions.
What makes you a 'bad' person is really dependent on what you actually do.
Everyone treats guys/girls differently. Everyone treats ugly/beautiful people differently. You see another member of your race (common example: I know a lot of koreans and chinese who get free food if they visit a place without many asians) and you treat them better. Or treat another race worse. List goes on.
It is impossible to not have any type of prejudice or pre-formed opinion at ALL. The question is really whether you allow your opinion to change, be introduced to new information, etc.
---
I have friends from pretty much every race on Earth. Iranian grad student, Chinese, German, Taiwan, Korean, Dutch, France, India, Brazil, Peru, and more I can't remember off the top of my head. I have been called racist before for various silly/amusing things like commenting on how virtually all the koreans I know drink "barley tea". It is an ASSUMPTION I made based on someone's race. So yes, it can be considered racist. Is there any harm in it? The koreans I said this to thought it was funny/true, a different friend thought I shouldn't have said that at all. Either way, what matters most to me in my own personal interpretation is MY intent.
If my intent is to make conversation, get to know you better, etc. then I couldn't careless about perceived racism. If my intent is to belittle, ignore or excuse myself from treating you like a human being, then yea, call me on it.
Corvuus
Every ethnic group did. I don't see why a racist person would bother with it, it was quite a lot of hard work.Sparrow said:I wonder if Asian people came up in your little test.EmileeElectro said:Well, he just seemed like he was purposely trying to piss me off. People accusing me of things I'm not sends me into a rage.
And btw.
We had to go round primary schools and teach children about it, especially how it works both ways.
To be honest, if a racist person wanted that certificate they could get it. They'd just have to lie.
This thread was a very bad idea, I noticed some other people arguing with each other. Race and Racism is a very touchy subject nowadays.
true, but, thoughts can be changed. WE know these days that there is no differnce in ability or intelligence between peoples of different races. Most humans have come to accept, and even embrace, other cultures. The thoughts of someone who is racist can change, whereas the thing that they judge others on is something no one can change, and no one should ever want to change.emily123 said:
However, i do agree with your whole "kernel of evil" thing. The trick is to surpress it, and that is the true measure of what makes a person human, the ability to surpass our more ugly natures.
If you were mugged by three men of your own race would you dislike every male in your race?EmileeElectro said:
Retard
Well thank you very muchSparrow said:
I find that if I want to say something I want it to come across right the very first time. Theres so many issues raised with stating your opinions out loud, never mind the internet, that you can afford to wing it. Out of sheer interest, what made you think of this one? Is it summit that's been happening around you recently or just musings? Obv youdon't have to answer, quite a personal question after all.
Theres always going to be steretypes about people, but theres a big difference between saying all chinese people are good at math - and something opposite and derogatory (dont think I need to provide an example). Racism stems from ignorance, so maybe if you know someone racist you should provide a little education to them about modern society, or simply find some new friends.
Yeah he's wrong, at leat some part of his believes. I might not stop being friends with a person like that but i wouldn't have the same respect.
OP: Yeah actually I have a friend a bit like this, whenever he brings up his views I challenge him in discussion but we respect each other and even though we don't agree we can talk about it in a civilised manner and move on to something else.
I've known this person for years, since school and I'm 28 so that's a fairly long time, I always try to appreciate his perspective even though I believe him to be wrong. If it was someone I'd just met I'd probably get a bit more heated and would be disinclined to get to know them much better. I should say that he's not very racist, but he is rather nationalistic and that always has an undercurrent of racism.
As for the poll, is the person in the example a bad person? we'll its not always that simple they could be a bad person but then they could be a perfectly good person who is just misguided or has some incorrect notions - that alone wouldn't necessarily make them bad. We are all wrong sometimes and we all do bad things sometimes, we all have the greatest moral defect: Pride, which can lead to all sorts of injustices.
I've known this person for years, since school and I'm 28 so that's a fairly long time, I always try to appreciate his perspective even though I believe him to be wrong. If it was someone I'd just met I'd probably get a bit more heated and would be disinclined to get to know them much better. I should say that he's not very racist, but he is rather nationalistic and that always has an undercurrent of racism.
As for the poll, is the person in the example a bad person? we'll its not always that simple they could be a bad person but then they could be a perfectly good person who is just misguided or has some incorrect notions - that alone wouldn't necessarily make them bad. We are all wrong sometimes and we all do bad things sometimes, we all have the greatest moral defect: Pride, which can lead to all sorts of injustices.
Just something that came to mind. It probally stems from something I was talking about with a mate earlier though. We were discussing how alot of people join in with racist jokes so they're not left out, even though they're not racist themselves. The massive divide in responses hasn't given me much of a clear answer though.Gingersalt said:
This is the best answer I've got so far. Alot of people seem to be ducking out of a real answer by playing the free speech card, or instantly drawing the conclusion that racism is bad, hence they also must be bad.Continuity said:
Yes, as I stated earlier. I don't like the majority men much anyway, and I have a boyfriend.Tipsy Giant said:
Going have to report you for calling me a retard though. That was bang out of order and childishly rude, I doubt you'll last long here.
I'll admit, it is interesting to see what people think. But usually, there's someone who will completely blow it out the water and pick fights.Sparrow said:
I think racist white people get away with being racist more than racists in non-white entities do, especially on the internet and in schools among ppl aged 15 to 28. Being racist does make you a bad person, even if you don't 'get into trouble.' It means that you are negative toward someone of another race, for little to no reason, regardless of if that person has done you any wrong. Sure, its caused and purpetuated by ignorance, but its still bad. I say 'bad', because 'wrong' is a whole other issue, IMO. I also believe that some 'racists' are being racist just to be pricks, and don't really care one way or the other, whereas a certain race of people actually are racists, pretend to joke about it, but really do feel that way. Just an opinion.Sir John The Net Knight said: