What does it even mean to be a racist?

With all of the accusations of racism being flung around here over the past few months, I am curious to know what you all think qualifies as racism.

I feel society uses racism as an ad homen attack to shut people who have valid arguements up.

What do you think?

 
whatwhatwhat:
Robert_Fischer:
Racism is the Jews constant hate towards Islamic people and forcing the world to hate them, or else.
So yeah, here's a pretty good example of racism in case anyone was wondering.

I am not looking for examples.

I want to know what you all think it means to be racist. Anyone can point out examples of what others think is racism.

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 
ANT:
Asian people are generally good at math. Is that racist? Or is it generally true? Or do people not give a shit because it is positive racism?

It's not generally true unless you specifically mean Asian-Americans? The average Asian in Asia isn't necessary better at math than the average Caucasian in America.

 

Not saying you are but unless you truly believe that black people are born criminals, you can openly discuss it by saying there is a higher percentage of black people in prison because of ____________. I agree that you probably won't get a great response from most people even with a rational explanation like that but I don't think you'll have a great discussion with people like that anyway so......

 
whatwhatwhat:
Not saying you are but unless you truly believe that black people are born criminals, you can openly discuss it by saying there is a higher percentage of black people in prison because of ____________. I agree that you probably won't get a great response from most people even with a rational explanation like that but I don't think you'll have a great discussion with people like that anyway so......

Completely agree. I get that more black people are in prison then any other but if you're considering that as an argument and evidence to claim a particular group is something or another, black people also suffered the greatest number of foreclosures during the crisis and have more unemployed but that doesnt permit generalizations claiming they are economically incompetent or lack a work ethic. Its preposterous to justify that belief.

 

Have any of you guys seen To Catch a Predator? When was the last time blacks were accused of child molestation? The real monsters in society are the ones that prey on innocent children. Disgusting. Look at this graph and see for urself.

 
zakMorris:
Have any of you guys seen To Catch a Predator? When was the last time blacks were accused of child molestation? The real monsters in society are the ones that prey on innocent children. Disgusting. Look at this graph and see for urself.

What the fuck is going on with these Native Americans? Btw, is it racist to state that blacks have a lower IQ than white people? Because I have been called that, when I was just citing a few studies I read about on wikipedia - with no bad intention in mind. (check for yourself: Wikipedia: Race and IQ.) On the other hand we have state-sponsored racism in the United States, called affirmative action. Some people call it "reverse racism". That's an euphemism. It's just racism.

 
Il Cavaliere:
zakMorris:
Have any of you guys seen To Catch a Predator? When was the last time blacks were accused of child molestation? The real monsters in society are the ones that prey on innocent children. Disgusting. Look at this graph and see for urself.

What the fuck is going on with these Native Americans? Btw, is it racist to state that blacks have a lower IQ than white people? Because I have been called that, when I was just citing a few studies I read about on wikipedia - with no bad intention in mind. (check for yourself: Wikipedia: Race and IQ.) On the other hand we have state-sponsored racism in the United States, called affirmative action. Some people call it "reverse racism". That's an euphemism. It's just racism.

It would be ignorant to say it, considering there are many factors outside of genetics that affect IQ, and if you used such information to judge any individual person of that group, it would most definitely be racist.

 
Best Response

I don't think racism is black and white (pun not intended), but it exists in different degrees.

The higest degree of racism is treating someone differently solely because he or she is a certain race or ethniciy. For example, a business denying service to someone only because they are a certain race or color. This is the racism we all know from American History class, where we learned about blacks being refused service at certain restaurants, or being forced to sit towards the back of the bus. This is entirely unacceptable in our culture today, and is more likely than not condoned by most of the postes on WSO.

I think lower degrees of racism include affirmative action, which is racist toward a particular group, and hateful speech.

I don't think its racist to draw conclusions about a person based upon their race in conjunction with other features they are embellishing. I used to go to the ATM in The Bronx during college. I was never afraid if a Black man came into the vestibule with a shirt and tie. I was, however, apprehensive if a black man came in with baggy clothes, dropping the 'n' word. It is not racist to do this.

Similarly, it is racist for the TSA to stop someone at the airport, solely because they are Muslim or Arab. It is not racist, however, to search them if they have bought a one-way plane ticket, or if they didn't check any luggage, or if they had recently made a trip to a country known to harbor terrorists.

Racism is judging a person solely based upon color or ethnicity, not based upon their outward behavior.

Of course, in theory, noticing a person is of a certain race is racist in its own right. A post-racial world is one in which race is not a concern. This starts with our government. If the government stopped keeping track of information on race, we would care less about race. This might be an issue of contention, but I'm ready to fight in this thread on this issue if you don't agree.

looking for that pick-me-up to power through an all-nighter?
 
<span class=keyword_link><a href=//www.wallstreetoasis.com/finance-dictionary/what-is-london-interbank-offer-rate-libor>LIBOR</a></span>:
I don't think racism is black and white (pun not intended), but it exists in different degrees.

The higest degree of racism is treating someone differently solely because he or she is a certain race or ethniciy. For example, a business denying service to someone only because they are a certain race or color. This is the racism we all know from American History class, where we learned about blacks being refused service at certain restaurants, or being forced to sit towards the back of the bus. This is entirely unacceptable in our culture today, and is more likely than not condoned by most of the postes on WSO.

I think lower degrees of racism include affirmative action, which is racist toward a particular group, and hateful speech.

I don't think its racist to draw conclusions about a person based upon their race in conjunction with other features they are embellishing. I used to go to the ATM in The Bronx during college. I was never afraid if a Black man came into the vestibule with a shirt and tie. I was, however, apprehensive if a black man came in with baggy clothes, dropping the 'n' word. It is not racist to do this.

Similarly, it is racist for the TSA to stop someone at the airport, solely because they are Muslim or Arab. It is not racist, however, to search them if they have bought a one-way plane ticket, or if they didn't check any luggage, or if they had recently made a trip to a country known to harbor terrorists.

Racism is judging a person solely based upon color or ethnicity, not based upon their outward behavior.

Of course, in theory, noticing a person is of a certain race is racist in its own right. A post-racial world is one in which race is not a concern. This starts with our government. If the government stopped keeping track of information on race, we would care less about race. This might be an issue of contention, but I'm ready to fight in this thread on this issue if you don't agree.

Thanks for the input, I agree that there are varying degrees of racism. However in the politically correct America that most of us live in this is not the case. You are either racist or you arent. I would be willing to bet the number who arent to any degree is an extremely small number.

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 
FinancialNoviceII:
I dont think I would, personally anyway, bracket degrees of racism. You're either racist or you're not.

I'm sorry, but we don't even have a universally accepted definition of race. The idea of "race" itself, is arbitrarilly determined by society. If we don't have a universally accepted definition of race is, then its not possible to have a universally accepted concept of racism. In which case, it isn't some binary choice like you presented, because we don't even know what race really is in the first place.

looking for that pick-me-up to power through an all-nighter?
 
<span class=keyword_link><a href=//www.wallstreetoasis.com/finance-dictionary/what-is-london-interbank-offer-rate-libor>LIBOR</a></span>:
FinancialNoviceII:
I dont think I would, personally anyway, bracket degrees of racism. You're either racist or you're not.

I'm sorry, but we don't even have a universally accepted definition of race. The idea of "race" itself, is arbitrarilly determined by society. If we don't have a universally accepted definition of race is, then its not possible to have a universally accepted concept of racism. In which case, it isn't some binary choice like you presented, because we don't even know what race really is in the first place.

I think its naive to demand a universal definition of race, especially considering that arbitrary determination will result in people contending their intention was contrary to the definition anyway. Racism is what it is. Everyone may get there differently but the conclusion will be the same.

 

the concept of racism and calling someone "racist" is constantly abused in arguments and debates. I have nothing against jews but the whole "oh he said that he's anti-semitic" as a means to completely close a debate has been way overdone and is a prime example of OP's statement.. especially since its usually used against arabs who fyi are also semites lol @ OP: i know you didnt ask for examples but how else can we give a view on your post?

 

Racism is people basically TRULY believing any prejudice they have against another group of people.

Black people who believe that white people hate them are racist.

White people who believe that all black people are the scum of the earth are racist.

Asian people that thing all black people are thieves and are gonna rob there 7/11 racist. (Menace to Society)

Jewish people that feel that only that doesn't LOVE them hates them are racist.

Any people who believe that another group is vastly superior and gives them some kind of stepping stool to help create that superiority is racist.

All these examples have in common is a deep rooted believe in the prejudice or discrimination(as the last one is) that another group has something or owes them something that is racist.

Saying that those black people beating up an old man or robbing a a liquor store isn't racist that is FACT.

Or The white kkk members who beat up black people just because they were black are scums of the earth isn't racist its FACT.

/endrant.

The answer to your question is 1) network 2) get involved 3) beef up your resume 4) repeat -happypantsmcgee WSO is not your personal search function.
 

Ok, let me further clarify and qualify that statement. The average Asian in America. I mean it really isn't fair to compare dirt poor Chinese people with Americans that have access to K-12 education for free. If the playing field was equal my statement would still hold true though.

 

Personally, and I'm yet to find anyone that agrees with me on this, I believe that for something to be truly racist, you have to demonstrate that the view you take towards a particular race is based on colour alone, and no other factors, AND that you have to demonstrate you do not take that view towards other races.

Example: I hate green people.

Not racist (necessarily)

I only hate green people, I like all other colours. - Racist

The second example removes all ways of misinterpreting the statement.

Sadly, the bandwagon love to scream racist at eery opportunity, as would many people here if I changed the green to a real world example.

 
trazer985:
Personally, and I'm yet to find anyone that agrees with me on this, I believe that for something to be truly racist, you have to demonstrate that the view you take towards a particular race is based on colour alone, and no other factors, AND that you have to demonstrate you do not take that view towards other races.

Example: I hate green people.

Not racist (necessarily)

I only hate green people, I like all other colours. - Racist

The second example removes all ways of misinterpreting the statement.

Sadly, the bandwagon love to scream racist at eery opportunity, as would many people here if I changed the green to a real world example.

Your example is actually a bad one. When you say I hate green people, its simply based upon their colour as you wouldnt have distinguished them in that sense. So both your examples are racism. And I'm not a bandwagoner.

I agree with your definition in regards to the first part, but generally I would imagine racists dont differentiate between colours and creeds and have unanimous hate for those who are different.

 
FinancialNoviceII:
trazer985:
Personally, and I'm yet to find anyone that agrees with me on this, I believe that for something to be truly racist, you have to demonstrate that the view you take towards a particular race is based on colour alone, and no other factors, AND that you have to demonstrate you do not take that view towards other races.

Example: I hate green people.

Not racist (necessarily)

I only hate green people, I like all other colours. - Racist

The second example removes all ways of misinterpreting the statement.

Sadly, the bandwagon love to scream racist at eery opportunity, as would many people here if I changed the green to a real world example.

Your example is actually a bad one. When you say I hate green people, its simply based upon their colour as you wouldnt have distinguished them in that sense. So both your examples are racism. And I'm not a bandwagoner.

I agree with your definition in regards to the first part, but generally I would imagine racists dont differentiate between colours and creeds and have unanimous hate for those who are different.

WC Fields once said, I dont discriminate, I hate everyone equally. Because I have not clarified my position on any other races for a reference point, you cannot claim I have discriminated, there is insufficient information to draw a conclusion. I stand by my examples, and yes, the record of noone agreeing with it, stands.

 
trazer985:
Personally, and I'm yet to find anyone that agrees with me on this, I believe that for something to be truly racist, you have to demonstrate that the view you take towards a particular race is based on colour alone, and no other factors, AND that you have to demonstrate you do not take that view towards other races.

Example: I hate green people.

Not racist (necessarily)

I only hate green people, I like all other colours. - Racist

The second example removes all ways of misinterpreting the statement.

Sadly, the bandwagon love to scream racist at eery opportunity, as would many people here if I changed the green to a real world example.

Completely agree. I's like to hear whether comments like: - "Check out hat insert minority race here walking down the aisle - he's fucking fat" - "Check out that insert minority race here walking down the aisle - come to think of it, all insert minority race here people are fucking fat" - "Minority people are all dumb, fat, and ugly"

Are those comments truly racist?

 
rpcas:
trazer985:
Personally, and I'm yet to find anyone that agrees with me on this, I believe that for something to be truly racist, you have to demonstrate that the view you take towards a particular race is based on colour alone, and no other factors, AND that you have to demonstrate you do not take that view towards other races.

Example: I hate green people.

Not racist (necessarily)

I only hate green people, I like all other colours. - Racist

The second example removes all ways of misinterpreting the statement.

Sadly, the bandwagon love to scream racist at eery opportunity, as would many people here if I changed the green to a real world example.

Completely agree. I's like to hear whether comments like: - "Check out hat insert minority race here walking down the aisle - he's fucking fat" - "Check out that insert minority race here walking down the aisle - come to think of it, all insert minority race here people are fucking fat" - "Minority people are all dumb, fat, and ugly"

Are those comments truly racist?

Well, the first two are identifying marks so I wouldnt deem that racist, (personally this is) but the last remark is racist as you're generalizing against a race.

 

the way I see it - EVERYONE is racist.

I spent some time growing up in Israel, and always felt some discrimination for being Russian.

Came back here, felt it for being Jewish (not in the city - in suburbia.)

and I don't "look" jewish. It's funny how someone will say something, and only afterwards realize the possibility that I might be Jewish, and ask me if I actually am.

Sometimes I say yes, sometimes I say no. the latter gives you a lot more insight into how and why people think the things they do.

And I've found that it's usually because they are missing something in their lives, whether it be money or whatever. so they need a reason not to blame themselves. and it's a lot more subconscious than it is a conscious decision.

anyway, that's my take - everyone is racist at some point or another, because everyone gets angry or jealous at some point or another. but when you let those feelings define your life - well, you're just a whiny little bitch. and that goes for both sides - the ones being "discriminated" against, and the ones doing the "discriminating."

(i hate arabs.)

 
wallstoccupier96:
lock my doors when it is late at night and I see a black man in a hoodie walk by.

That isn't racist that is discriminatory....acting on a prejudice is discrimination not racism...

The answer to your question is 1) network 2) get involved 3) beef up your resume 4) repeat -happypantsmcgee WSO is not your personal search function.
 
blackfinancier:
wallstoccupier96:
lock my doors when it is late at night and I see a black man in a hoodie walk by.

That isn't racist that is discriminatory....acting on a prejudice is discrimination not racism...

I agree with your logic, but discrimination and prejudice all fall under the ambit of what is considered racism generally.

 
wallstoccupier96:
Quoting from Avenue Q, "Everyone's a little bit racist, it's true." It really is just a matter of how racist you are, are we talking KKK member or are we talking, I lock my doors when it is late at night and I see a black man in a hoodie walk by.
 

[quote=FinancialNoviceII]Ok, there's prejudice here, but ask any of the black businessmen involved and they will deem it racist.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/banks-face-probe-into-rac…]

This statement is stereotyping as shit. "ask ANY of the black businessmen involved" Not all black businessmen think the same and to think for one second that they do is racist... The prejudice you have is against black people to think they do everything the same is racist.

Hope this makes sense, I'm pretty hung over.

The answer to your question is 1) network 2) get involved 3) beef up your resume 4) repeat -happypantsmcgee WSO is not your personal search function.
 

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