Something About Racism
At one point in my life I wanted to do a piece on racism. So I'm going to do it now.
The first thing I want to say on racism is this. The definition for what constitutes racism is far too broad now. Just entertaining the idea that humanity might be divided into races makes you racist. Just for entertaining the notion that humans are divided into various races puts you in the same class as the Klan, Nazis and any other organization or person(s) that professes racial superiority and ain't afraid to gang up on someone and beat them in the street or even kill them for it.
Secondly experiencing a moment of "culture shock" when encountering a person of a different "race" is not racism no matter how many rallies are held, laws are past or dictionaries are changed. It's called "fear of the unknown" a natural defense mechanism used to keep our species alive during moments of uncertainties. Where it becomes racism is when you do it out of hand because of a persons "race". When it first happens race doesn't even enter the picture. The brain hasn't gone that far yet in it's analysis.
Why I say this is because there are GENUINE cases of racism out there that need to be addressed and people are taking focus away from the genuine problems with trivial complaints like "Oh I lost the contest because of my race" instead of accepting they lost because the remaining competitors where better at what was required (especially when another member of the person's "race" ends up winning the contest). Then there are those groups and individuals using it to further their own political agendas without doing anything real to deal with racism. And don't get me started on the posers who like to point out their "black" friend.
I'm quoting myself from an earlier blog posting because I want people to get this idea in their heads on how to deal effectively with racism.
"The most important thing about being who you are and expecting to be accepted for who you are is to return the courtesy to others. I find that people will generally accept your differences if you allow them to be themselves in return:)"
The first thing I want to say on racism is this. The definition for what constitutes racism is far too broad now. Just entertaining the idea that humanity might be divided into races makes you racist. Just for entertaining the notion that humans are divided into various races puts you in the same class as the Klan, Nazis and any other organization or person(s) that professes racial superiority and ain't afraid to gang up on someone and beat them in the street or even kill them for it.
Secondly experiencing a moment of "culture shock" when encountering a person of a different "race" is not racism no matter how many rallies are held, laws are past or dictionaries are changed. It's called "fear of the unknown" a natural defense mechanism used to keep our species alive during moments of uncertainties. Where it becomes racism is when you do it out of hand because of a persons "race". When it first happens race doesn't even enter the picture. The brain hasn't gone that far yet in it's analysis.
Why I say this is because there are GENUINE cases of racism out there that need to be addressed and people are taking focus away from the genuine problems with trivial complaints like "Oh I lost the contest because of my race" instead of accepting they lost because the remaining competitors where better at what was required (especially when another member of the person's "race" ends up winning the contest). Then there are those groups and individuals using it to further their own political agendas without doing anything real to deal with racism. And don't get me started on the posers who like to point out their "black" friend.
I'm quoting myself from an earlier blog posting because I want people to get this idea in their heads on how to deal effectively with racism.
"The most important thing about being who you are and expecting to be accepted for who you are is to return the courtesy to others. I find that people will generally accept your differences if you allow them to be themselves in return:)"
posted by Urban Shaman at 9:01 PM
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