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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRacism
Is it a two way street, even if one lane is wider than the other?
Brickbat
(19,339 posts)GummyBearz
(2,931 posts)a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others.
kwassa
(23,340 posts)Hence my question. I'm trying to get to the bottom of this topic as I was told I am one. I'd really prefer not to be
JustAnotherGen
(31,818 posts)The post where you talked about that race card that some sections of the white population in America are always whining about because their glorious founding fathers put it in the deck?
Don't hate the player - hate the game.
Was that what one of the jurors told you when they opted to hide that post?
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)that study and write about racism.
Donald Ian Rankin
(13,598 posts)AverageJoe90
(10,745 posts)Collective hate, fear, and/or distrust of an ethnic group and/or groups as well.
Nuclear Unicorn
(19,497 posts)AverageJoe90
(10,745 posts)Nuclear Unicorn
(19,497 posts)AverageJoe90
(10,745 posts)Yeah, I have a feeling that we'll probably agree that such an accusation is pretty over the top. People are going to have different musical tastes; preferring one individual artist or another doesn't necessarily make them bigoted, no matter if they're a record executive, or just the average Jack or Jenna on the street. I hope you enjoyed your Valentine's Day.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)GummyBearz
(2,931 posts)Which the human races are capable of being racist, and which are not?
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)is Race-based bigotry plus institutional/culture power.
http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/papers/caleb/racism.html
So, with that information, should you choose to absorb it ... I will let you answer your own question.
kwassa
(23,340 posts)throughout a country and across other nations. Which race might that be?
The others can be bigoted, but don't have the power to cause damage to others on a societal level.
treestar
(82,383 posts)as the US is not the only place in the world. Have white people dominated the planet?
What of communities of Indians in Tanzania, or of Asians in Latin America? They are minorities in places and could it be possible the black/Latin people in those countries might create the systems and dominate? Is it a human trait which could arise in any situation and it be other than white people in charge of the structure?
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)This is the crux of the matter.
uppityperson
(115,677 posts)ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)For some people, racism is a power conflict, so those with less power can never be racist. For other people, racism is bigotry based on skin color.
Glassunion
(10,201 posts)If I call someone a racist it should carry the weight of the word behind it. It should not be redefined beyond its true meaning.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)not redefine/refine the definition of terms all the time to more accurately describe their observations?
http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/papers/caleb/racism.html
Glassunion
(10,201 posts)They are refined. I.e... Pluto is not a planet, no wait... Yes it is... No wait, no it's not.
By definition a planet is still a planet, science has refined it, by excluding objects like Pluto, and given definition to a new words like Dwarf Planet or
Kuiper belt object. A planet is still a planet.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Last edited Thu Feb 12, 2015, 11:57 PM - Edit history (1)
Scientists refine definitions of terms to more accurately describe their observations, all the time.
Better?
Glassunion
(10,201 posts)But to me "terms" should fit a definition. Definitions should not be twisted to fit the term. They can be refined, but not twisted.
This is why I should not get involved in META threads.
I grew up a child of an interracial couple in Georgia. I've had my share of racism. To me, racism is: that race determines human traits and or capabilities, and in that a belief, an inherent superiority of one over another. And with that, justification for ill treatment or violence against others based solely on their race.
I have been the victim of racism. I have been beaten to the point of urinating blood for days because I dared to date a white woman. On the other hand I have also been guilty of it myself. I have since grown, and reflected upon my own evil.
Racism, by definition is evil. I have had that evil trust upon me, and in turn I have dispensed that same evil. I strongly regret that period in my life.
So to me, to brand someone a racist is a charge of significant weight. I do not toss it out lightly or with nonchalance. I wish for my words to carry the weight of their true definition, not some watered down feel-good, family friendly version.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)except for your definition, as it is does not reflect the weight of academic study.
Further, racial bigotry + institutional power, is not watered down, feel good or family friendly ... it is what the social scientists that study the phenomena have observed.
Glassunion
(10,201 posts)Racial bigotry fits perfectly into the definition of racism. And on its face evil.
Institutional racism also fits the definition of racism. And is evil as well.
To me racism is not one particular race or another. It is the supposition of one race being superior to another. From that you have institutional racism, bigotry, etc... They are evil no matter the race of the oppressed.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Last edited Fri Feb 13, 2015, 08:12 AM - Edit history (1)
treated unfairly, belittled, offended, insulted, embarrassed, treated badly, even, beaten is not being oppressed ... being oppressed lasts long beyond the inter-personal encounter.
Glassunion
(10,201 posts)Oppression is: the the unjust (or cruel) exercise of authority or power.
If that "authority" comes from a racist (feeling of racial superiority) point of view, it is oppression.
If you are treated unfairly (unjustly) because of your race, that is oppression.
If you are belittled because of your race, that is oppression. To belittle someone is to cause that person to feel little or less, hence the inherent feeling of superiority in racism.
Being offended, insulted, embarrassed, well... that depends on the situation. But if someone goes out of their way to do that to you because of your race, that can be oppression.
Being beaten because of nothing more than your race. In my personal experience, the "they" that did it, was to put me in my place. I was doing something I should not have been doing. That was oppression. They were exercising their power (not authority) over me to dictate what I could or could not do based on my race.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)what "power" or "authority" do PoC possession over white people in the US?
phil89
(1,043 posts)like math and physics. They tend to be very subjective even in the best of circumstances.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)or to be questioned, using Webster's or wiki as an authority ... at least for the purposes of this discussion. Right?
gollygee
(22,336 posts)Most white people define it the way you and the OP do, but most people of color define it as structural imbalances, or discrimination plus systemic power. But it's seen as "redefinition" if you don't accept the general view of white people, which is an example of how racism is structural. And then people use the dictionary as proof, which is precisely structural. The opinions of people of color don't often get into the dictionary because people of color are not generally the ones writing dictionaries.
kwassa
(23,340 posts)Glassunion
(10,201 posts)1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Post #30
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)Glassunion
(10,201 posts)From my post #30: That race determines human traits and or capabilities, and in that a belief, an inherent superiority of one over another. And with that, justification for ill treatment or violence against others based solely on their race.
I would not define it as a power conflict where those who do not have the power or authority cannot exercise in racism. A power conflict would be more aptly defined as oppression. The oppressed, by virtue of the lack of power or authority cannot be the oppressor.
Race is simply a category of humankind that shares certain distinctive physical traits. Racism is the belief that there is an inherent superiority in those distinctive traits, and that justifies the ill treatment or violence of the perceived inferior race(s).
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)In my opinion, describing behavior and how it affects people is better than any label any day, since labeling something "racist" rarely seems to change anyone's mind or behavior.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)It affects others, apparently.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)the former is the more accurate description of the matter.
http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/papers/caleb/racism.html
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)I don't always feel comfortable using the word because I don't know how people will define it in their heads. When I remember, I like to use "systematic racism," "racial bigotry," and phrases like that because I feel there will be less confusion. I know how you use the word because I read a fuck ton of your posts since you're one of my favorite DUers, but even when I'm writing to you I know lots of other people will read the post.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)I rarely find myself using any of those terms ... other than to update a follow DUer's usage of the term.
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)You don't fear details.
NaturalHigh
(12,778 posts)kwassa
(23,340 posts)Glassunion
(10,201 posts)However, both ways are a META thread and should be locked as off topic.
Just saying.
JustAnotherGen
(31,818 posts)daleanime
(17,796 posts)during christmas shopping.
Too many damn idiots.
AverageJoe90
(10,745 posts)Without a doubt, yes. Anybody can be racist towards anybody, at least on an intrapersonal level, anyway, regardless of what country they live in(For example, Uighurs in China are an oppressed group in that country, but they can still be racist towards Chinese, and Palestinians can be racist against Israeli Jews, etc.).
kwassa
(23,340 posts)Can't get enough of it, can you?
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)The non-academic, lay definition from 30+ years ago. Right? You really should update your literary file.
We've had this dance before and the weight of academia remain in the 21sr century.
NaturalHigh
(12,778 posts)noiretextatique
(27,275 posts)American white supremacy...the system. What does "anbody can be racist" have to do with our peculiar problem in the USA? Is it an "everybody can be racist problem" or is it an institutional racism problem?
romanic
(2,841 posts)To me, the definition of racism lies in the eyes of the individual. For me, I've dealt with ignorance and straight up racial hate from whites, blacks and even my some of my lighter-skinned Puerto-Rican brothers and sisters. I grew up in a diverse but segregated (along racial lines) metro Detroit suburb and saw whites hostile to blacks, blacks hostile to whites, Hispanics hostile to both blacks and whites, and hostility towards Arabs from other racial groups. Some people believe in the dictionary, others believe there's a power structure tied to racism; for me I don't use either, just what I've gone through and seen with my own eyes.
AverageJoe90
(10,745 posts)And thanks for sharing your story. Hope you enjoy your time here.
romanic
(2,841 posts)Thanks for the welcome Joe.
Dyedinthewoolliberal
(15,571 posts)Though I haven't lived in the D for a long time.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)Do you/would you define it differently if shown that the weight of social scientists writing on the topic subscribe to the race-based bigotry plus institutional/power definition?
romanic
(2,841 posts)To answer your question, I wouldn't really let anyone regardless of their research or findings change what I feel and think and experience when it comes to racism. What i see for myself trumps what others say when it comes to that. Hope i made sense.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)I don't understand why you would resist accepting the academic research that refines our understanding of the phenomena.
Understanding the characteristics of the phenomena is the next step in ending the phenomena.
randys1
(16,286 posts)rethink their old biases.
Response to 1StrongBlackMan (Reply #59)
Name removed Message auto-removed
romanic
(2,841 posts)I just think experience trumps "academic research".
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)You don't see that as resistance?
romanic
(2,841 posts)What else do you want me to say?
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)I'm just trying to figure out how/why someone that, no doubt (if you're on a liberal message board), accepts academic observations and conclusions in so many other areas touching your life, won't accept them in this specific area?
kwassa
(23,340 posts)Huntington Woods, when I was little.
romanic
(2,841 posts)Not entirely familiar with Huntington Woods though I've heard of it. I grew up further north in Pontiac which had it's own ugly history with racism/segregation.
Dyedinthewoolliberal
(15,571 posts)Can you be more specific?
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)"Can, both, white AND Black people be racist" ... Again.
I've noticed variations of this question a lot on DU ... Usually, within minutes of the person inquiring having written something that a PoC points out might be trending racist. (See: the now hidden Post #5 in the " Little league cheating " thread.)
randys1
(16,286 posts)towards white people, the white people who call them names, lynch them, steal from them, refuse them loans, charge them more for loans.
Wont hire them, wont rent to them.
If I was a Black American, you would need a better word than bigot for what I would feel.