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Is There Justification for Racism?
- Thread starter Deeje
- Start date
psychoslice
Veteran Member
Everyone is so called raciest, even animals that we are also are against each other, in all sorts of ways, one bird is against another because of its color or whatever difference's, myself I prefer one race over another, not because I hate the other but because I just like the other, no big deal.
buddhist
Well-Known Member
@Deeje, We all accumulate preconceptions as a natural part of the learning process, as a result of life experience. Preconceptions guide our instinctual brain for the preservation of the self by reacting far quicker than the "thinking" brain requires. No doubt you can see the advantage (and disadvantage) in this.
E.g. If I encountered multiple jellyfish in my lifetime, and most of them stung me, then my brain will develop a preconception against jellyfish, and I will instinctively and naturally avoid them in the future. Or, if I encounter multiple dogs in my lifetime, and they've always been very friendly towards me, then my brain will likewise develop an open-hearted preconception towards dogs, and will instinctively & naturally welcome them in the future.
"Racism" is merely a specific application of this learning process towards races of people.
IMO if it is based on legitimate personal experience, then there is justification for skillful racism (positive or negative preconceptions). Racism becomes unskillful when someone applies preconceptions about a race against personal experience. Racism is also unskillful if a specific individual from a race is treated and seen as part of their race even though he or she might demonstrate exceptions that goes against their own race.
E.g. If I encountered multiple jellyfish in my lifetime, and most of them stung me, then my brain will develop a preconception against jellyfish, and I will instinctively and naturally avoid them in the future. Or, if I encounter multiple dogs in my lifetime, and they've always been very friendly towards me, then my brain will likewise develop an open-hearted preconception towards dogs, and will instinctively & naturally welcome them in the future.
"Racism" is merely a specific application of this learning process towards races of people.
IMO if it is based on legitimate personal experience, then there is justification for skillful racism (positive or negative preconceptions). Racism becomes unskillful when someone applies preconceptions about a race against personal experience. Racism is also unskillful if a specific individual from a race is treated and seen as part of their race even though he or she might demonstrate exceptions that goes against their own race.
psychoslice
Veteran Member
Yes its no big deal is it, there are many things I don't like about one race over another, but it doesn't mean I hate that race, just as I prefer the color blue over red, that doesn't mean I hate red.......get it ?.
Deathbydefault
Apistevist Asexual Atheist
If you go back far enough down the line, we all come from the same area of the world.
buddhist
Well-Known Member
What about it?
Deathbydefault
Apistevist Asexual Atheist
It was my criticism of the video title.
Edit: I meant the video title, forgot the word so I'll put it there.
Yeah, it kinda is.
Sha'irullah
رسول الآلهة
Racism is a justifiable response to invasionary people, as primates we should expect this of ourselves by now. We operate best in communities with names and faces not arbitrary systems of mass urbanization. Racism will always be around and to say it is solely about race is just infantile
Animals are largely governed by instinct and see other animals as food, which is not racism, but simply what they have come to view as tasty dinner. Birds prey on other birds for the same reason. Humans on the other hand are intelligent beings who can grasp the concept of racial superiority and teach it to their children. Children are not born racist....hatred has to be taught, and shame on the parents who teach it.
Racial hatred has no basis except to exercise superiority over other races. Humans have been warring with their enemies since the world began, but having reached the 21st century, wouldn't you think we'd have come to some more intelligent conclusions by now? We are all ONE race...the HUMAN race. We could all live in peace, and share resources if we weren't so self centered and greedy.
We need to teach our children to love,
Teach them to be generous and help those less fortunate and to sacrifice something for them.....giving is a great feeling. ...so much better than the 'gimme' attitude we see in a lot of people, particularly in the West.
What we are inside our skin is identical. Skin color is superficial, so why is there racism on account of it....and why do people think that their race is superior? "Superior" in what way I have to ask? Different cultures make life vibrant and interesting.....the diversity in food is also wonderful!.....wouldn't it be boring if we were all the same?
Can't we celebrate the things we have in common....like life and family and shared interests?
Its a nice thought....but I can't see humans ever changing.
Can you?
Kuzcotopia
If you can read this, you are as lucky as I am.
I think we have made tremendous progress on race. . . If you compare perceptions on race now vs 100 years ago.
It's all about experience. The more you experience others, the less "scary" the become.
I've been teaching math in a title 1 school in the Houston are for eight years. My perceptions. . . Rather my misconceptions. . . about race have changed dramatically in that time.
I used to be pretty pessimistic about it. . . But I watch how my young people are able to get along with each other in impovershed conditions. . . They are the future.
Trust me, this might be the last generation. When ya'll old people die off, most of this junk will die off with it.
It's all about experience. The more you experience others, the less "scary" the become.
I've been teaching math in a title 1 school in the Houston are for eight years. My perceptions. . . Rather my misconceptions. . . about race have changed dramatically in that time.
I used to be pretty pessimistic about it. . . But I watch how my young people are able to get along with each other in impovershed conditions. . . They are the future.
Trust me, this might be the last generation. When ya'll old people die off, most of this junk will die off with it.
Racism is about race by definition. The only juvenility in that is the weakness of 'race' as an actual identifiable trait. I suspect you're confusing race and culture or something.
Father Heathen
Veteran Member
I think the problem with the concept of "race" is that society tends to erroneously conflate it with culture, religion, and nationality.
All too often accusations of racism are used as a lazy way to counter criticism of things that have nothing at all to do with genetics.
All too often accusations of racism are used as a lazy way to counter criticism of things that have nothing at all to do with genetics.
Interesting......but because I don't understand the desire to know one's genetic background.
Someone in my family did a lot of research on our family tree.
She put together a massive book about my ancestors.
I didn't even bother to read it.
Racial heritage....meh......
But there is one old story which I like....
We were known as the "Gentle Johnstons" in Scotland (because we were so violent).
I don't need to know that, but I like the joke.
McBell
Unbound
The whole human race, no.Its a nice thought....but I can't see humans ever changing.
There will always be those who will think their skin colour makes them superior.
I heard a comedian once:
"I do not like the term 'coloured people'.
All people have colour.
I do not care what 'colour' you are, if a family of transparent people move in next door, you gonna be all manner of suspicious."
All people have colour.
I do not care what 'colour' you are, if a family of transparent people move in next door, you gonna be all manner of suspicious."
Top of my head it does not seem to me like humans have multiple races yet. We have some regional differences but nothing spectacular, and I think DNA runs about a lot more than people suspect. Every region occasionally produces someone very, very good looking who travels a lot.
*I still have not seen it, because I do not run Flash on systems with email or Facebook. Its too Max Headroom for me.
Sha'irullah
رسول الآلهة
No I implied that racism is often about culture. The two are often thrown together in the eyes of many people. This is why we turn our heads when we see an African speaking French or a Chinese speaking Russian. Both are common in those countries while in the US we consider it out of culture norms.
That is why it is racism; the presumption of too much concerning race.