racism
The question then is what are the rest of us? I would say that pretty much all of us, no matter our race are prejudiced and discriminating.
I mean the reality is that:
Which still amazes me since people like me have had it much easier due to the past laws and the excellent efforts / decisions of my ancestors. I assume it is simply an ego issue that they are not willing to show gratitude to those who enabled their success. :-(
So I am not sure "Racism in America" should be the correct headline?
Maybe words like selfish, unaware, in denial, better than you, narcissism, I've got mine, etc are more appropriate. Which is kind of ironic, since Jesus had a totally different focus.
- 1: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
- 2a: a doctrine or political program based on the assumption of racism and designed to execute its principles
- 2b: a political or social system founded on racism
- 3: racial prejudice or discrimination
The question then is what are the rest of us? I would say that pretty much all of us, no matter our race are prejudiced and discriminating.
- prejudice: preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.
- discriminate: recognize a distinction; differentiate.
- stereotype: a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.
- why are young black men scared of police officers?
- why are police officers on alert when confronting young black men?
- why do people think welfare recipients are stupid and lazy?
- why do people think rich people are greedy and self centered?
- and the so many other stereotypes we all carry around?
- your parents, friends, the news, etc
- your personal experience with some folks in that other group
- genetics?
I mean the reality is that:
- unfortunately young black men commit more than their share of violent crime, which does empower a stereotype that harms all the other good peaceful young black men
- unfortunately police unions do protect "bad cops" who do "bad things", which does empower a stereotype that the police system is "bad".
- some welfare recipients are stupid and lazy
- many rich people are greedy and self centered, that is why they are rich. :-)
- sure we understand the likely false stereotypes we carry around
- an effort to resist prejudging a situation / person
- an effort to challenge our natural discrimination
- an effort to notice things without passing immediate judgment
Which still amazes me since people like me have had it much easier due to the past laws and the excellent efforts / decisions of my ancestors. I assume it is simply an ego issue that they are not willing to show gratitude to those who enabled their success. :-(
So I am not sure "Racism in America" should be the correct headline?
Maybe words like selfish, unaware, in denial, better than you, narcissism, I've got mine, etc are more appropriate. Which is kind of ironic, since Jesus had a totally different focus.
9 comments:
I may need to update this post soon?
I don't think the problem of race can be solved in the definition of one word.
--Hiram
And yet people want to obsess over that word.
When it is likely a small part of the challenges we face. :-(
Won't it be ironic if the conflict between Derek Chauvin and George Floyd had NOTHING to do with race?
Hundreds of buildings burned, people injured and dead over an issue of who was "toughest" or some silly thing?
People obsess over words too much. Barr is obsessed with the word "chemical" as if settling on what it means would have some relevance to what they do. It's a lawyer thing to do. The problem too, is that it is a very loaded, very pejorative term, which means it can be used not just as a word but also as a weapon.
--Hiram
Starting arguments about semantics is a key tactic folks use to avoid talking about the real problem.
Then what is the "real problem" from your perspective?
Now use the correct words. :-)
No labels, No assuming ill intent, etc.
Just a nice clean problem statement.
We can ask words to do too much. Barr seemed to think if you detach the word chemical from irritant, people subjected to the substance they describe will cry less.
Racism is often systemic, and that makes it hard to identify, hard to hold anyone accountable for, and hard to correct. Racism is about what happens, but also about what doesn't happen. It can be about discrimination in hiring, but it's also about the Target in a minority community that just doesn't get built. The store that once it gets closed, never opens again. It's about a system where somehow white defendants get bail and black defendants don't.
People seem to place so much importance on labels, but the corollary might be that if you can avoid labeling you can do a lot more things.
--Hiram
That is my point...
The "Target" store does not care about the "Race" of the potential customers...
It cares that it can be profitable:
- Are their customers who can and will shop there.
- Are there additional security costs in that area
- What are their insurance premiums in that community
- Is their a risk of rioting, looting, etc.
I have a wonderful Target near me on Rockford road.
They have customers and workers of every race in there.
Race / prejudice is NOT the issue in that case.
It is just expected costs, expected revenues, etc.
So then comes the big questions...
Why is crime higher in those communities?
More gangs and willing members?
Fewer people with extra disposable cash?
More people with lower academic capability?
Some is due to history and the "system".
Some is due to poor choices by people.
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