(racism)
What is it, really? I see people accusing other people of it a lot in the teevee and the essgee, but what are they talking about? It doesn't seem as though they could possibly be saying that the person they're referring to has a conscious belief that people of a particular race are innately bad or inferior, so... What are they saying?
How are we going to spread the meaning of "racist" around? Are people who even <i>notice</i> other people's race going to be racist now? Are people who have been affected subconsciously by the perpetual bombardment of cultural information regarding race and racial stereotypes going to be considered racist? What about people who are, because of personal experience, rather concerned about the effects of particular subcultures or movements that are, however contingently, overwhelmingly associated with people of certain races? <i>Are we racist now</i>?
I'm officially declaring (cuz I can do that) the word "racist" devoid of meaning and shall immediately phase it out of any remark I hear.
Hey. Read a book.
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POSTSCRIPT There are problems with race, and with people's attitude toward other people of certain races (including their own!), but I promise that none of them can be solved by saying "You're a racist!" By dropping the word, we can open up a discussion. Rather than rhetorical accusations, we can talk about causes and solutions.
What is it, really? I see people accusing other people of it a lot in the teevee and the essgee, but what are they talking about? It doesn't seem as though they could possibly be saying that the person they're referring to has a conscious belief that people of a particular race are innately bad or inferior, so... What are they saying?
How are we going to spread the meaning of "racist" around? Are people who even <i>notice</i> other people's race going to be racist now? Are people who have been affected subconsciously by the perpetual bombardment of cultural information regarding race and racial stereotypes going to be considered racist? What about people who are, because of personal experience, rather concerned about the effects of particular subcultures or movements that are, however contingently, overwhelmingly associated with people of certain races? <i>Are we racist now</i>?
I'm officially declaring (cuz I can do that) the word "racist" devoid of meaning and shall immediately phase it out of any remark I hear.
Hey. Read a book.
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POSTSCRIPT There are problems with race, and with people's attitude toward other people of certain races (including their own!), but I promise that none of them can be solved by saying "You're a racist!" By dropping the word, we can open up a discussion. Rather than rhetorical accusations, we can talk about causes and solutions.
Really, thanks for your comment!!
MUAH!!