Why are some people so racist?

Question

Growing up i had many friends, middle school was the best because my friends were of very different backgrounds and races. Two were from Russia, one was japanese, one was chinese, one was african american, a caucasian and a bunch of mexicans. I don't feel i'm racist or prejudice, we all hanged out all the time, are people racist because of the way they grew up? You think i would be less race tolerable if i had not had these friends?

Update: I'm talking about Race, not illegal immigrants

DIRKDIGGLER I agree with you, Yo soy mexicano americano y my esposa es gringa, si no les gusta que me chupen la verga tambien

Answer 1

People are racist out of ignorance or fear. Period.

Answer 2

I feel that people are afraid of anything that is different from them. Fear leads to hate. The media also exploits the problem even more. Some people have became small minded and believe everything they See or hear on T.V. it has gotten better in the last few years but not enough. Then there are the people who want to live in denial and swear that those things don't happen in there community. We have come along way ,but still have a long way to go. It is so sad in my eyes because I believe that every last person in this world has something good to offer if they were given the chance to. People need to wake up and realize there is always going to be good and bad that's just how it is but need to stop thinking themselves better then another. I Tell my kids always that when we are cut we all bleed the same color. I can only change things one step at a time and by educating and patience.

Answer 3

Well, there ARE people who are racists ... there are for example people who hate African Americans for no other reason than the color of their skin, no matter who they are or what they are ... now that is racism, and cannot be defended in any way ... there are African Americans (is one allowed to say black these days??) who hate WHITE people, for no other reason than that they're white, good, bad or indifferent ... which is equally reprehensible ....

If you're talking about the immigration debate I don't see anybody here who's openly racist ... people in the main are anti illegal immigration from wherever, which has nothing to do with ethnic background, race or anything like that ... the fact that most illegal immigrants are Hispanics (that is a fact!!) makes the pro illegal lobby constantly coming out with the race card ... which is technically wrong in any case, Hispanic is not a race ...

Illegal immigration from wherever is wrong, unlawful and should be stopped!! And it has absolutely nothing to do with racism, prejudice, or anything else the pro illegal lobby wants to call it ....

Answer 4

well coming from a family that was not so much racist as much as it was i grew up in a area that was really not all that big and people new each other and yes it was mostly whites i would say it was because people are idiots.my mom had a cow when i married at 16 to a man hows sister was married to a black man and had mixed children.i love them more than life its self and once my mom go to know them so did she.but her family didn't like blacks.i don't understand this because we are not (pure bloods our selves)we are native American and Irish and German.that is a combo in its self that most people grew up hateing.so how could anyone in my family judge me.i don't know and will never understand.i say if you love someone you love some one it shouldn't matter race or what ever else.god made people we all bleed the same cry the same hurt the same and love the same.what is different is our color nothing more.white people kill just as blacks and Mexican and Asian and any other race does they all need to be punished the same...so what is the big deal about color..the world will never know..all you can do is raise your children to be loving to all of gods people

Answer 5

I was raised in strictly a black/hispanic neighborhood. Growing up my friends were either black or hispanic. I didn't have white or asian friends until college. Growing up this way didn't affect the way I was. My family raised us to be open minded. That people are different and one way wasn't better than another. So I'm a prime example that you don't necessarily have to be raised around different ethnicities to treat everyone like people.
One the other hand, I know alot of people who's parents are racists, their parents were racists and they would all raise racist children. I even have a family member (through marriage) that is a big racists. In their lives, they were raised to be close minded and think that their skin, race, thoughts and ways were the only right thing.
So I would say that it has everything to do with the morals and values that your parents bring you up with.

Answer 6

A lot of people are racist mainly because of lack of education, ignorance, stupidity etc. etc. When people don't understand something, whether if it's through fear or will, they tend to make up pre-conceived notions on how they think a certain thing is... like when some caucasians don't understand african americans, they become afraid because of lack of understanding, some stay in that shell and stereotype, others take a leap of faith and initiate a conversation with african americans...those are the one's who learn something and then they become friends for life!

Now...you have some african americans who are racist against white people, those african americans who are, are just plain ignorant...point blank! It's not that their scared, because the african americans who are racist are most likely the very arrogant ones...even against their own people! But then there's african americans who don't care and welcome all races with wide open arms...

I know that racism isn't just black and white, you have whites hating on asians and asians hating on blacks and it goes on and on...but racism comes from lack of knowledge and understanding, and bad experiences as well. But, for those who've had bad experiences with a race different than your own, don't punish everyone in that race for one or two bad apples...it's all just stupid!

Answer 7

I agree with you 100%, a problem on this site is uneducated people say stupid crap all the time from all different races and strike a nerve, causing a big snowball effect and then all of a sudden everyone is bashing every race without any repercussions, try saying some of these cowardly comments in public and see what would happen, people need to think with their brain not act on their emotions

Answer 8

I think racism stems from the observation of differences. Everyone is different but some people eqaute different with inferior. Inferiority then serves as a reason to exploit. as many European Americans did with African Americans. This thinking is ingrained within our society. Racism isn't necessarily overt either. It can be quite covert and even in the practices of society.

Answer 9

You are like me, I like people for being people, I don't care what they look like, what race they are, underneath are skin color and cultures we are all the same.
I have had my share of racist experiences, some from whites but the majority were from blacks. I think it all has to do with idealism's people drill into one anothers heads. They turn on the Stupid button deep within their brains.
I'm glad you have a rainbow of friends, because you have taken something from each of them and learned about them and who they are.
Some people are racist because they way they grow up and then people become racist because of a bad experience. But, as long as there is hate and as long as people live up to stereo types there is always going to be racism.

Answer 10

I think it has alot to do with how they grow up, and what events happen in their lives that they blame on a particular group of people. Regardless of why, it is stupid! My parents always taught me that we are all the same and that I am no better than anyone else due to their race or poverty level. We lived in a very concentrated area of almost only whites and it wasnt until I moved that I got to realize how diverse St Louis really is and how womderful it is to live in a diverse place!

Answer 11

the way they grew up is perfect because as kids we never cared what color our friends were. I had the same set up no russians or chinese though but my friends were and are black white and now I also know some russians and chinese. Im mexican-american with a white wife. LOS QUE NO LE GUSTE QUE ME CHUPAN LA VERGA Y QUE VAYAN A CHINGAR SUS PINCHE JODIDA PENDJA MADRE