What is racism?

[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....

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

So if there IS a genetic component to personality, then there's a good chance that there will be racial similiarities in that respect.

I think the problem has been that while there are genetic componants for these things - they don't breakdown in the catagories we typically call race, as the common racial categories are rather arbitrary and have changed over time. "Africans" for example tend to show the greatest diversity of genetic make-up, yet clearly the are subject to some of the greatest stereotyping.
Our nation, as another example is becoming more and more multi-racial - such that the last census had to be altered to refect that change.

As for the legislation being racist - I think the claim is made that more "latin looking" people will be stopped to verify citizenship rather than "Irish or Scandanavian looking" people. In my anecdotal experience, I never recall any of the illeagle euro-aliens I have encountered to ever have trouble with the INS.

[Fab]

I just wanted to pop in and note that the last Asian guy I dated was hung like the fricken Mona Lisa. Stereotypes are everywhere. Hey, Wendy! Ya dumb blonde! (/me hides my hair bleach) EuroMeinke: cut your hair, ya bongo-playin' hippie! SCAEagles, you can't dance nor play basketball! I eat Wonder Bread and always put brown gravy on my rice, 'cause I'm Haole. Any more?

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Fab

I just wanted to pop in and note that the last Asian guy I dated was hung like the fricken Mona Lisa.

Having been to the Louve and having seen the Mona Lisa, I can't recall noticing how exactly the painting was hung - except for the fact that it was kept behind protective glass, as such I'm not sure if this is complimentary, insulting, or just the non-sequitor I take it as.

Oh, and I prefer being called a Nazi-Kraut-Devo-Fag.

[wendybeth]

****ing Hawaiians.

[Name]

[quote]Yeah, I don't get this either, please expand a bit(but don't need full details, just a better analogy, or an explanation of the analogy) Are you saying he was hung on the wall, used extreme protection, drew a large crowd?

[Gemini Cricket]

"Everyone's a little bit racist
Today.
So, everyone's a little bit racist
Okay!
Ethnic jokes might be uncouth,
But you laugh because
They're based on truth.
Don't take them as
Personal attacks.
Everyone enjoys them -
So relax!"

[SacTown Chronic]

Mona Lisa has a big schlong? I did not know that.

[Scrooge McSam]

I don't think noticing or even pointing out differences in races is necessarily bad.

The troubling thing is, more often than not, this examination does not lead to a celebration of differences and chance to learn from them, but rather a way to slice and dice the population in a bid to divide and conquer.

Next you start getting the argument "Why should my taxes be used to pay for XX, an obvious weakness in the XX race".

[scaeagles]

Human nature, I suppose. Happens to the fat kid on the playground, or the kid with acne, or the kid who can't afford decent clothes, or the homely kid......it isn't always based on race. Far too many people wish to belittle those who are different for any reason to make themselves feel superior.