What is racism?

cormy3
Wed, 16 Mar 2011 01:11:46 +0000

I think against rules to post link.



Anyways, back on topic:

Just to clarify, the thought process is the following:

Most X race have these undesirable qualities. I realize that not all X race have those qualities. In fact, some X race are the exact opposite, and are in fact more desirable than the average members of my own race. Yet these exceptions are very few. I wish I could give these exceptions the chance that they deserve, but life is too short and opportunities too limited. If I’m going to operationalize my beliefs, my actions are going to be rigid and categorical even though I acknowledge the world isn’t really that way. It’s just convenient to act that way.

This, I believe, is the thought process of most people. Is it racist or not? If say not, think about the full extent of the actions that you would be defending.

“Nah, I don’t want to introduce myself to him because he’s X race, and my beliefs have been operationalized such that I don’t waste my time on X race, though I’m not saying that I know he’s bad, just that he’s probably bad.”

“Oh, he’s X? Why would you think I’m attracted to him? Have I ever been attracted to an X? Members of X are just not attractive. No thanks.”

“Hmm, well this resume looks good, but so do those 10 other resumes. Since resumes are often faulty representations of a person, the fact that this guy is of X race, and I can only grant interviews to 5 applicants, means I’m not going to call this guy back.”