What, really, is racism? (Obama, vote, thoughts, illegal)

[Rathagos]

I just read the thread about why republicans are considered racist and it really had me scratching my head. You can definitely read each post and think "democrat" or "republican" just by the tone of response.

I had always been brought up to believe racism was a bias towards (against?) another race based solely upon the fact they are a race other than the initiatiator of the behavior.

Now... as I read the posts in this Forum, it sounds like, if you are not a minority, and you support any program that doesn't aim specifically at giving something to a minority, you are racist. So, essentially, racism is only aimed at minorities. People who support giving a minority with lower test scores, grades, and academic achievement a seat in a college over someone who is much more qualified (on paper) is not racist? Someone who doesn't support programs that benefit predominantly "non-white" people (even though whites are included in that program) is racist.

So... what really is it? If you're not a minority, you can not say or do anything against a minority? If so, you're racist?

[austinsmom]

rac·ism Audio Help/ˈreɪsɪzəm/Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[rey-siz-uhm]Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1.a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others. 2.a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination. 3.hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

Although on C-D, it's any person who won't vote for Obama or as you described, doesn't support programs that are predominantly aimed at helping minorities.

[Delta Planter]

The word, "racist", is an easy word to attach to those who don't see the situation the way you, or whoever the originator of the post or topic. It's rather silly, and very derogatory. I'll be called a racist, I'm sure, because I don't kowtow to the thoughts of others on this forum. Thank you for bringing it to the forefront.

[sanspeur]

My understanding of racism is the same as yours...To take your example re-test scores. If a member of a majority race scores are better than the person of the minority race, all else being equal, and the seat is given to the latter then, I would call that racism against the former.

[LLLL98]

It is difficult for many to understand that people are suspicious towards people's racial opinion because most do not advertise their racism, they don't wear t-shirts displaying their racist tendancies and a lot of them don't even realize their prejudices themselves. I wish that everyone held these beliefs would announce their true feelings, I wish that most people would even acknowledge that they held these opinions, unfortunately they usually don't. I don't usually throw labels or accusations at people without due cause, and I wouldn't accuse a lifelong republican who won't vote for Barack Obama a racist, because he probably wouldn't vote for a democrat regardless of race. I do think that there are many republicans who have been somewhat sheltered or segregated from other races and therefore that might have something to do with the general attitude that republicans are racist. I think it's unfair to generalize without any evidence to back it up, so I try to judge based on peoples statements and actions rather than their political idealogy.

[Delta Planter]

I do think that there are many republicans who have been somewhat sheltered or segregated from other races

Where in the hell did you come up with this? Talk about opinionated, you truly fit the bill!

[LLLL98]

Originally Posted by Delta Planter

Where in the hell did you come up with this? Talk about opinionated, you truly fit the bill!

Look at an electoral map. Many republicans either by choice or by circumstance of birth are living amongst other whites. This is not a insult to anyone, it's a fact. Look at the most diverse cities in America and you will find a lot more democrats than republicans. To say that this has absolutely nothing to do with the opinions that they share is to ignore a fairly obvious point.

[macmeal]

"Racism" is on its way to becoming a totally meaningless term. It could mean an angry mob of KKK members chasing a family out of a neighborhood.....a large employer which has a policy of not hiring minorities....OR a person who lets it be known that he looks down on another for reasons of ethnicity.

ON THE OTHER hand, "racism" could mean something like a school official ordering a gang-attired 'punk' to pull up his pants and hurry to class......a scuffle between a police officer and a gang member....or the attitude of a nasty, rude retail clerk.

The bottom line is, "racism" today is a term applied to just about any offense, great or small, in which a member of one race disagrees with a member of another. As a result, the term is rapidly becoming meaningless.

The 'victim who cried racism' is becoming a little bit like the 'boy who cried wolf'. When the wolf finally DID come along, nobody listened.

[jmarquise]

according to obama supporters, a racist is anyone who doesn't support obama.

[macmeal]

Originally Posted by jmarquise

according to obama supporters, a racist is anyone who doesn't support obama.

Right....and that's probably as good a definition as many others I've heard lately. Another one you might check out is 'anyone who expresses concern over illegal immigration'. That, too is pretty much defined as being a 'racist'.

There are a number of others as well....