Acceptable Racism?

[Seifer]

A few months ago, my sister and I somehow got into a debate about racism and my sister said that she once got onto an elevator with a minority woman who gave her the stink-eye and basically acted like a bitch toward my sister. I commented that I thought it was uncalled for for the woman to treat my sister poorly because of her skin color, and my sister answers: "She's seen some true racism, so I don't blame her for hating me."

Bwah?

For one thing, just because this woman is a minority doesn't mean she's "seen some true racism." Saying you know someone's past based on their skin color is asinine. I'm white, so does that automatically mean I've never seen or experienced racism directed at me?

In my opinion, it's unacceptable for anyone to act or say hateful things toward someone based solely on their skin color. If you've done nothing but stand next to someone in an elevator, then that person has NO RIGHT to pass judgment on you and act like an asshole.

Also, why is it considered okay if a minority does it, but it's hateful and disgusting if someone in the majority does it? Racism is NEVER OKAY, and I hate this double-standard that seems to be gaining leeway in society.

[bara]

Also, why is it considered okay if a minority does it, but it's hateful and disgusting if someone in the majority does it? Racism is NEVER OKAY, and I hate this double-standard that seems to be gaining leeway in society.

Cant really say.
One of my theories is that it is easier to teach some one to hate than to love.

[Hyena Dandy]

It's understandable, but not GOOD.

That's a key difference, and I was talking about it with religion in one of the 'things I hate' threads... I think that it's understandable, but it's not right, and that's a difference. Even if, as a member on here before pointed out, the sociological definition of racism requires it to be from the majority...

Well, yes, but the fact that it doesn't meet the sociological definition of racism doesn't make it good or laudable. It's just bad in a different way.

[Jaden]

Perhaps you should point out that assuming that because somebody is a racial minority means they've experienced a lot of racism is, in fact, racism in and of itself?

Racism is racism, hate is hate, intolerance is intolerance. Doesn't matter who it's coming from or how much of a perceived "right" they have to be intolerant.

[HotelKatz]

I am reminded of what a black kid said in middle school.

They said they will always hate the whites, so the kid can avenge their enslaved ancestors.

When someone pointed out that might lead to a neverending circle of hate, the kid replied, "Not my problem."

[blas87]

You can't spend forever apologizing, especially for something neither you nor any of your family did.

Go further north, like where I live, most of our ancestors came from Europe. In the early 1900s. So, we weren't responsible for slavery.

[PepperElf]

I'm white, so does that automatically mean I've never seen or experienced racism directed at me?

Yes.

Well not according to me really, but that's what seems to be the mental attitude of many people. It's an excuse to justify being racist against you... cos if it's in "defense" then it's justifiable, right? Even if you yourself ain't ever done anything to them.


To me it's the same reason why media up-plays things like martin/zimmerman but ... when a mob of 100 black teens attacked a white couple in late april/early may... no outcry. Cos - it's not a hate crime doncha know? It's not even racism. And the media tries to find ways to blame the victims.


It's the elephant in the living room. It's there, but no one wants to admit that whites can be targets of hate-crimes and racism cos it's not politically correct.

To some out there, you will always be "the man" who is holding others down. No matter what you really do in your life.

[Nekojin]

Perhaps you should point out that assuming that because somebody is a racial minority means they've experienced a lot of racism is, in fact, racism in and of itself?

Racism is racism, hate is hate, intolerance is intolerance. Doesn't matter who it's coming from or how much of a perceived "right" they have to be intolerant.

Very astute and on point.

It's worth mentioning that there's no such thing as "reverse racism," which is supposedly what black people (or other minorities) do toward whites. There's nothing about it that makes it "reverse." It's just plain racism.

[Zod]

Very astute and on point.

It's worth mentioning that there's no such thing as "reverse racism,"

Wouldn't "reverse racism" be being nicer to people who are a different race?

[Nekojin]

Wouldn't "reverse racism" be being nicer to people who are a different race?

Sure, but that's not how the phrase is ever used.

[jackfaire]

Sure, but that's not how the phrase is ever used.

Actually that is the only way I have ever seen the phrase used. For example the movie The Animal a guy was constantly complaining that people were always overly nice to him and letting him get away with anything and it bugged him he referred to it as reverse racisim. First time I had ever heard the term.

[Nekojin]

Actually that is the only way I have ever seen the phrase used. For example the movie The Animal a guy was constantly complaining that people were always overly nice to him and letting him get away with anything and it bugged him he referred to it as reverse racisim. First time I had ever heard the term.

I haven't seen the movie, but every time I've heard or seen it used, it was a commonly-discriminated-against minority being unfairly hostile toward whites. Perhaps the movie's usage is a subtle attempt to shift the meaning of the phrase.

[macphile]

Fie, racism is racism in my book. There's still plenty of white-on-black racism going on, and I don't blame blacks for being bitter about it (those that are), but being mean to whites is just the same thing--"you are a [bad/inferior] person solely because of your skin color." It's not reverse. It's just racism. And bonus, it doesn't help matters one bit. There's a lot of white defensiveness because "the blacks are always blaming us for their problems." Then the blacks get mad that the whites are missing their point, and we keep going around in circles.