What is racism?

[wayneL]

I'm not justifying anything dude. It's an exploration of the topic of "what is racism".

It's important to get the terminology correct so we don't mix up other things such as religious discrimination, ageism, sexism, whateverism, as racism.

It is obvious that discrimination based on age and sex is not racism. I think it equally obvious that discrimination based on religion, which can take the form of discrimination against Islam, Judaism, Catholics against protestants and visa versa, Hare Chrishna or whatever, is not racism.

Let's take your example earlier and twist it around a bit.

I meet this white Anglo Saxon Male (same as me) that I've known for years. But this time I notice he is wearing a robe and a long beard.

Hi John have you converted to Islam by any chance?

Why yes! I have!

Ok well f*ck off then because I HATE you.

To consider that racism is totally absurd... ludicrous.

It was a simple point I made to discern racism from other forms of discrimination, to keep the discussion on track. Unsuccessfully it seems.

 

[Sean K]

Jeesh Cuttlefish, you've gone off on a bit of a tangent here.

Wayne is correct imo, religious discrimination hasn't anything to do with being racist, which he's clarrified in the dictionary definition.

Racism is more about discrimination against someones ethnicity I feel. It's more often has negative connotations but can be positive too.

It is important to get the definition correct in such a debate.

 

[wayneL]

wayne you said there is no such thing as race.... so why are you concerned about racism. by that logic racism doesnt exist.

Mate it was just a spin off thread from the Prince Harry thing.

Though race doesn't exist biologically, it still exists as a social construct.

The emotional reactions to questions of race are ample evidence of that.

 

[slim pickins]

Though race doesn't exist biologically, it still exists as a social construct.

i dont really understand.. why does race not exist? its in our DNA and manifests itself in our physical appearance

 

[cuttlefish]

:bricks1:

Ok ... I get the point ... to some extent ...

I'll respond more if I think I've got something sensible to say ... - which at this hour I probably won't. : (its probably mid morning for Wayne ...).

 

[Sean K]

Though race doesn't exist biologically, it still exists as a social construct.

I thought it would be biological. Aren't Melanesians a 'race' of people. A Melanesian who grows up in Melbourne is still a Melanesian aren't they? A Melanesian Australian perhaps? If I saw that person on the street I would automatically assume that they would prefer to go fishing and sit under a coconut tree and drink Kava all day than want to be a lawyer and play Aussie Rules, for example. I would say it's in their blood. Is that racism?



I tell you what, racism is alive and well in Peru.

 

[wayneL]

i dont really understand.. why does race not exist? its in our DNA and manifests itself in our physical appearance

Well I'm not a biological scientist, but I suppose that the genetic differences that manifest in skin colour and other physical differences aren't great enough to classify humans into races.

For instance in the equine world, An Arab is physically different from a Thoroughbred. They are officially different breeds. However, Thoroughbred are genetically 100% Arab, as it is from this stock from which they are selectively bred for speed.

Furthermore, a Clydesdale is markedly different from a Trakhener, but both are just a bloody horse and not genetically different enough to separate as sub-species.

Anybody more au fait want to add?

 

[blehgg]

I would have though racism encompassed discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, or country of origin.

But I think there is a "religionism"....

Its still an 'ism ~ common courtesy and respect is all that is needed.... which u would think would be easy..... but obviously isn't to some people....

I like the comment before ~ Racism = Fear ~

 

[cuttlefish]

Furthermore, a Clydesdale is markedly different from a Trakhener, but both are just a bloody horse

I think I detected a bit of horseism coming through in those comments ...

 

[doctorj]

Unfortunately, racism seems to be anything a non-white person says it is, regardless of intent, context or audience.

 

[wayneL]

I think I detected a bit of horseism coming through in those comments ...

hahaha horseism is rife.

Arab = Bloody Arabs
Warmblood = Dumb-blood or bloody carthorses
Thorougbred = brainless idiots

etc.

STAMP OUT HORSEISM

 

[noirua]

Unfortunately, racism seems to be anything a non-white person says it is, regardless of intent, context or audience.

Racism seems to be, word, decision or action by a person of one race or creed, against another race or creed that is not their own. This being of a solely racial nature.
This can be complicated by one dominant race in a situation employing a person of the race or creed, for instance, of those others who are employed. He or she being made the manager or employer in their stead. Thus that person acting racially against his/her own by the design or otherwise of her/his employers.

 

[It's Snake Pliskin]

So whats it called when someone announces their religion and you decide that you hate them from that point on based on their religion ... I've never been taught the word for that one - inform me.

It is called intolerance and the adjective is intolerant.

Racism is another thing but some, particularly the ones who try to think for minority groups, confuse it with other unrelated things as has been done above in red.

 

[cuttlefish]

It is called intolerance and the adjective is intolerant.

Racism is another thing but some, particularly the ones who try to think for minority groups, confuse it with other unrelated things as has been done above in red.

Well 'intolerants' are a subset of racists then from everything I've seen.

 

[wayneL]

Is there such a thing as Learnerdriverism.

If not, I've just invented it.

 

[GumbyLearner]

Here's a joke I want to share :

Q. What do you call a black guy flying a plane?
A. A pilot you stupid racist.

 

[tigerboi]

You're missing one important point... Islam is not a race, it's a religion.

Look at the word RACE-ism.

I didn't say it wasn't discrimination, it is. But it is not racism.

i knew it wouldnt be long before the "your wasis" crowd fell into this,as pointed out islam is not a race which some still do not get...

best policy is to hate everyone !... wogs,spics,jews,arabs,blacks,skips(im so offended)krauts,wetbacks,gooks

then you cant be accussed of discrimination...

 

[Buddy]

i knew it wouldnt be long before the "your wasis" crowd fell into this,as pointed out islam is not a race which some still do not get...

best policy is to hate everyone !... wogs,spics,jews,arabs,blacks,skips(im so offended)krauts,wetbacks,gooks

then you cant be accussed of discrimination...

Yes, hate everyone, and especially truckies.

 

[cuttlefish]

Jesus cuttlefish,

You're normally fairly sensible. WTF?

I don't know what you call it. It is discrimination for sure.

But let's look at the dictionary definition

rac⋅ism
   /ˈreɪsɪzəm/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [rey-siz-uhm] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

It doesn't say anything about religion or culture, ergo, it is not racism.

Bigotry, religionism, creedism.... I don't know.

Fair enough - in the cold light of day I see that I was heading off on a tangent last night.

My 'fear' was that the thread would be hijacked to become a justification for being racist. i.e. if we water down the definition of racisim enough then nobody is racist.

But I acknowledge that they are different things (discrimination based on religion vs ethnicity).

 

[Calliope]

We are all victims of racism. I had to burn my Irish and Polish joke books.