What is racism?

[scaeagles]

Well, if positive stereotyping is OK, then negative stereotyping must by default be OK, would it not be? Not that anyone would prefer the negative to the positive, but isn't it all just about the same in terms of generalizations of a given race?

I believe a lot of stereotyping is cultural rather than race based. There are clear differences between races in physical features.....does it not follow that there are psychological or mental differences as well? This does not mean any differences along those lines are bad.....so I've never understood why pointing out differences is bad. Diversity is a good thing, right? If we are wanting diversity, than we have to be noticing that people are different. But is some differences are pointed out, you get in trouble.

I don't know - I'm just rambling myself into nowhere, I suppose.

[mousepod]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

There are clear differences between races in physical features.....does it not follow that there are psychological or mental differences as well?

No.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by mousepod

No.

I'm curious - why do you say that? If our DNA makes us look physically different, with various races sharing common physical characteristics, it would logically follow that there are differences in our brains as well. Does this mean one is bad and another is good? No. It means there are differences. Why is it acceptable to embrace physical differences, but the thought of mental differences is offensive?

[mousepod]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I'm curious - why do you say that? If our DNA makes us look physically different, with various races sharing common physical characteristics, it would logically follow that there are differences in our brains as well. Does this mean one is bad and another is good? No. It means there are differences. Why is it acceptable to embrace physical differences, but the thought of mental differences is offensive?

Not offensive, just bad logic.

A wider or longer nose or brow or different melanin levels in the skin doesn't imply differences in internal organs, including the brain.

The fact that your argument has been made by many racists throughout the years might lead you to believe that I would group your post in with those hateful people's ideas and be offended, but that's not the case.

Just didn't want a good argument to get derailed by faulty logic.

[wendybeth]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I'm curious - why do you say that? If our DNA makes us look physically different, with various races sharing common physical characteristics, it would logically follow that there are differences in our brains as well. Does this mean one is bad and another is good? No. It means there are differences. Why is it acceptable to embrace physical differences, but the thought of mental differences is offensive?

And yet, Bush insists that all children learn exactly the same way, must be tested exactly the same and must all pass the same test, without any sort of help in the way of accomodations. Hmmmm....