The right to be racist , sexist and/or Homophobic *Read in full*

[Sharkeyboi]

If you conciously dislike or even hate a person or group because of their race (for example) you are a racist. Racists are everywhere, some of them are hard to spot because they have the good sense to keep it inside.

But let's say for instance a reserved racist is hanging out with friends and then one of them introduces their new partner, who is a Chinese man. Does the racist "choose not to associate" with the man, even if he is really genuine and well mannered, getting along with everyone else?

If the man tries to engage the racist in conversation, does the racist blank him, or respond in meaningless, quick and easy, please-leave-me-alone-now-I-don't-like-you, non speak (eg: yep, uh huh, I see, I 'spose).

What if the Chinese man picks up on this? What if everyone picks up on this? It could have disastrous implications on the racists' social standing, which is what I'm getting at.

Racism has no place in civilized society. It is worthless and will cause problems even if the racist person tries their best to be nonchalant about it. Wouldn't it be better to try and not be racist? Accept all people of all backgrounds. This seems like a good principal to live by to me.

 

[MASTACHIEFPWN]

It's legal, but it's ignorant and stupid.
I'll choose to not be an ignorant stupid person, with my freedom.

 

[4173]

Actually, homophobia is a bit of a misnomer. Phobia - Fear of. Homophobia - Fear of same-sex relationships (Although amusingly this never seems to apply to two chicks when a guy is involved. Only met one homophobic dude who hated on lesbians) but everyone makes that mistake. Or perhaps it is just that the word has two meanings, one in latin, one more common.

It is possible to be afraid of a thing in ways other than eeek! A spider! Fear of being hit on, fear of catching teh gey, fear of your kids catching the gay, fear of god's wrath because of gays etc.

 

[DestinyDriven]

You can't help what you feel, however, if what you feel and think negatively effects and hurts others because of your own prejudices, keep it to yourself.

Negativity and hatred are never good things. Wanting to suppress others freedom and/or hurt others, weather physically or emotionally, or just repress them because of your own prejudices, moral standards and judgments is just bigoted. Sexism, racism, homophobia are irrational thoughts and feelings.

Letting someone get away with hurting a whole group of people based solely on their hatred and fears is not a good thing.

I hear about some people who go to soldiers funerals, celebrate the soldiers death, taunt and jeer. These soldiers died in action for their country.
Or how about burning a flag? By burning a flag, you are not just burning a piece of cloth. You are burning a symbol. This symbol represents the whole country itself, and every person in that country.

Should these people be allowed to hurt so many because of their negative, irrational hatred? Should they be allowed to voice such horrible opinions that targets many innocent people who do not deserve it?

What about the people who were friends and relatives of soldiers who have to deal with not only their grief, but the hatred and taunts of those with such negativity? Why do they have to tolerate such bigotry? There are borders that should not be crossed.

Protect the innocent. Live and Let Live.

 

[Gigano]

Yeah, that's called Freedom of Thought, and it is always absolute (if nothing else because there's no way to enforce a ban on it).

The real question is whether they should be able to publicly express these views. I believe so, for Freedom of Speech only gain meaning in regard to that which absolutely no one want to hear (...and which is rather easy to argue against and ridicule anyway).

One obviously owe no respect or empathy to those who express it though.

 

[Housebroken Lunatic]

No, it is not ok to be racist in your own home. It is not ok to be mildly racist around your friends and only hang around with Black/White/Indian/Chinese people. It is not ok to avoid homosexuals because you have a personal disliking of them. Because the hate or, as you put it, "Dislike" is caused by a lack of education, it is caused by ignorance and fear. It is damaging and a blight upon our society.

That is my view, at least.

So what you're saying is that you're actually AGAINST the freedom of opinions? That only SOME opinions should be allowed, but others should be repressed and censored as much as possible?

I guess you're not a big fan of democracy then?

 

[klasbo]

The problem is when several people of the same racist/sexist/homophobic opinions come together and create a culture around those opinions, because this creates a group of people who either consciously or subconsciously reinforce each others beliefs, often to the point of delusion. A lot of people who are racist/sexist/homophobic are so because they aren't aware of what they are saying is degrading to those on the receiving end, simply because they are in a culture that silently accepts (or sometimes promotes) such action.

But...if we outlaw large groups of people coming together, spouting ignorant nonsense, and reinforcing each others delusions, internet forums will cease to exist!

What are you hiding?
In seriousness, I take it you understand the problem. "People are shit", and not only on internet forums..