When do you believe something is Racist?

[Journia]

This is a very serious question. Racism is depicted in so many ways, it may fall into an ambiguous category, and people can do things that can racially offend others without them meaning to or even being conscious of doing. So please, tell me when do you believe something is racist?

 

[Senshi1]

When it's intended to be, for the most part, I think. As somebody in the other thread said - it's all about context.

When my nan (bless her) refers to a sofa as being "n***** brown", she's not expressing any hatred, dislike, or distaste of any sort towards black people - to her it's just the colour of the sofa. That's not racist in my opinion.

But if somebody looking for a fight shouts a racial slur at somebody else, then it's definately racist.

 

[P[a]pi]

I believe a person is racist when he/she genuinely hates the race they are talking about.

In my opinion a racist comment by a person does not always make the person who said it racist.

 

[Journia]

The person genuinely hates the race they are talking about.

But how would you know the person genuinely hates the race? Like if you just met them on the street.

 

[P[a]pi]

I edited and added to my post above just so ya know.

Um... you aren't gonna know 100% unless the comment just proves it, like "I hate all black people."

Usually, a person is angry and says something racist. To me that is different than a kkk member or somebody who is mean to a race all the time.

 

[poppameth1]

It's all a big gray blur now a days.

For example, to me affirmative action is racist. The time for affirmative action is passed. People should be hired for their abilities not because they are black, female, etc. and don't want to put the effort into gaining the skills needed for the job. I consider affirmative action mandatory racism.

We live in a world where there is genuine racism but there is also a lot of racism that only exists when it suits the person calling it racist.

 

[Wade1]

IPeople should be hired for their abilities not because they are black, female, etc. and don't want to put the effort into gaining the skills needed for the job.

Well, let's be fair: affirmative action has never been about hiring (or, in higher ed, admitting) unqualified or unskilled people because of their race or sex. It's designed to make sure that women and people of color who ARE qualified and skilled get opportunities that might otherwise be closed to them due to overt discrimination, subconscious discrimination, or closed networks.

Are there incompetent women and people of color with good jobs? Of course. Did some of them get those jobs under the umbrella of affirmative action? Most likely. But we all also know lots of incompetent white dudes with good jobs too, so how obsessed can we really afford to get about the various mechanisms by which these assorted incompetent people secured their jobs?

And has affirmative action outlived its usefulness? Maybe. It's worth discussing. But there's plenty of anecdotal evidence suggesting that it hasn't.

 

[poppameth1]

I know what it was designed to do, but having working for various companies that have to deal with the legal aspects of it, I can say with some certainty that there are many times when I've seen these companies forced to hire someone who does NOT have the proper skill over someone who does, just because there is a rule that says you have to have so many employees of so many races. Now I'm not saying that's the golden rule, but it does happen, and far more often than it should. But yes to be fair there are plenty of unskilled white dudes that have gotten their position via similar means.

So I agree affirmative action was not designed to allow unskilled people into these positions but somehow that's what it's ended up as in many cases. I don't see affirmative action ever ending, just like I don't see the family business screwing the non-family employees ending. Right now I work for a company where everyone but me is related. Guess who does all the work and who sets on their asses on the internet sports pages all day?

 

[QueenBeeBeeMari]

Are you serious,do we really have to go through this again?


racism
4 dictionary results for: Racist
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
rac·ism /ˈreɪsɪzəm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[rey-siz-uhm] Pronunciation Key - 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.


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[Origin: 1865–70; < F racisme. See race2, -ism]

 

[Cbarton]

Observe their day to day actions. If they behave and constantly communicate and act in a racist manner, then they're a racist. If the action or statement is done or said with the intent of harming or insulting the other, it's racist. I've seen many accused of being racist when all they were doing was using the 'accepted' terminology of their generation, not knowing it was now considered to be negative/racist.

The proof comes out in the pudding every time. Character, positive and negative, is revealed by what one does, not totally by what one says.

 

[FeatherDaemon1]

There needs to be the intention to insult or injure with a pejorative term. It also must be more than just calling someone a name. You can insult someone using a term deemed racist without the thought of racism in the thought process. People have a short list of terms on the ready when the heat of passion rises. Many of those terms are determined along racial lines, yet it doesn't mean that the person is racist if one is used. There really must be an inherent condescending tone in the attack.

I don't subscribe to passive racism you either are or are not being racist.

 

[sadi]

I see it as someone calling the other a derogatory remark as pretty much for sure racist. I don't think I should give any examples really though...
Or if someone's not sure and they end up calling someone an offensive term with noticeable physical reactions (moving away, face changes to disgust, etc.) and doesn't sincerely apologize for it, at least appearing to be sincere, and not patronizing.