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The media is always telling us about the evils of racism and how only the ill informed, naive, stupid and obscene of us are admitted racist. The media likes to show racists in the worst possible light and usually they are people that look like they are one inch away from complete insanity.
Maybe there is a different way at looking at it. There has been some very intelligent and educated people through the years that have believed some real out of the mainstream ideas. They have thought about it long and hard and researched the topic indepth and came up with a conclusion that is far removed from the mainstream.
In the topic of racism is it possible for someone to be an admitted racist but is highly intelligent, accomplished and sincere? That just how they see the world.
So, can there be a sincere highly educated and intelligent racist? And will you accept them for their analysis of the topic?
A British museum has canceled a lecture by Dr. James Watson, co-discoverer of the DNA double helix, after he claimed black people are less intelligent than whites in a recent newspaper interview.
In the topic of racism is it possible for someone to be an admitted racist but is highly intelligent, accomplished and sincere? That just how they see the world.
So, can there be a sincere highly educated and intelligent racist? And will you accept them for their analysis of the topic?
People are free to hold any opinion they want of another human.
What is right and wrong is just subjective based on societal norms
Quote:
Originally Posted by LuckyGem
People are free to hold any opinion they want of another human.
It doesn't make them correct.
How do we know in today's complex world with so much certainty that something is right or wrong? No matter what the topic we have to make an informed decision. The greatest minds in America supported discrimination and outright slavery until just recently.
Last edited by Weekend Traveler; 05-22-2009 at 02:41 PM..
In the topic of racism is it possible for someone to be an admitted racist but is highly intelligent, accomplished and sincere? That just how they see the world.
So, can there be a sincere highly educated and intelligent racist? And will you accept them for their analysis of the topic?
Sure. As one of our members has pointed out a few times on this forum, studies show that blacks in general have lower IQs than the white population. If a "racist" thought is backed up with some evidence like that, then yes, I will listen, but if they're just espousing outright hatred and unsubstantiated stereotypes, then no, I won't have respect for their opinions.
So, can there be a sincere highly educated and intelligent racist? And will you accept them for their analysis of the topic?
I believe there can be. I wouldn't necessary accept their analysis but I wouldn't discount it without hearing why they came to the conclusion they did.
If, for example, someone found a definitive difference between something in the brains of Caucasians and the brains of Asians it could lead to all sorts of new discoveries. However, it could also be used by some to presume that Asians are naturally smarter than Caucasians because of this difference. But the only way to know WHAT the difference actually means is to investigate and analyze, and some people straight up wouldn't want that because they see it as 'racist'. But it's not.
Can someone educated and accomplished be a douche? Of course. I find it frightening that on these boards people actually believe that if one has a degree or is somehow accomplished in their field they are automatically free from sin as it were.
Racists, bigots, and sexists come in all forms -- I have found that the educated 'hide' it better when in public. Perhaps thats the only difference.
I have a friend who is very smart, very sound, and he makes racist comments. I suspect though he has learned that way of thinking from others, doesn't really sound like something he'd believe when he says it.
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What is right and wrong is just subjective based on societal norms
