What causes us to hate another race?

Question

Has animosity toward another race has been hardwired into our primitive systems? Or are we free agents who can evaluate and appreciate each other without reference to color or race?

Answer 1

Wow. This is the best question that I think I've ever seen here. Kudos for that.

I don't think that hating another race is hardwired. Automatically. I think that we're sensitive to slurs that are culturally propagated, and this may look like hardwiring, at first glance.

I think that this is more in the line of the old self versus other question that gets raised in philosophy a lot. It's easy to revile those that are other, you see it in wars all the time.

But on a primitive level.....if two hunters of oppostie tribes were to meet, and sucessfully hunt together, then hatred wouldn't be present. Hunters need to be innovative, and they are naturally accepting of whatever gets the job done. They have been hardwired to be open, one must be, to bring down the scent, the track, and eventually they prey, while remaining alert for the predators.

Likewise is true for the foragers. If two foragers of opposite tribes come together (given that there is enough food, which there was way back) it would be to both's advantages to share what they knew, for the greater benefit of both tribes.

However, you have to add into all this the fact that fears often engender hate, and fear is the anti-intellect, and sometimes not to be rationalized with.

So it can get tricky and chaotic, simply due to the fact that sometimes animals (and primitive human was an animal, and modern human still is) get spooked for no damn good reason whatsoever.

To sum up, I don't think it's hardwired, that would have worked against the species, but we can get spooked, no matter what our rational brain says, and fear can lead to hate.

Sorry to not have a definitive "this is the way it is" answer, but this question is deep! Kudos to you!

Answer 2

Often the answer to this is; fear and indoctrination. If people are scared, they often will turn and accept anything that's bad because if they didn't it could threaten their existence. Also if people are indoctrinated or brought up to believe something is so, they are unlikely to question it. Evolution is a way to rationalize why people are different rather than blaming them for something you don't understand. You say that the Bible was used to justify the actions of some, such as the KKK which is true, but it is also important in establishing modern day, civilized society. Many of the laws today are based on the 10 commandments. If people didn't have religion then many morals would be put on the line and ignored, because there would be no spiritual consequence. These are just my thoughts, but I'm sure there will be some which are much more in depth.

Answer 3

There seem to be many causes that lead people to hate another race.

Here are the following factors that causes racism:
1)prejudice-a person believing another race is bad because they think that particular race has bad things about it.
2)sterotypes-a person believing in sterotypes think of the race as a bad race when in fact it is not.
3)ignorance-lacking knowledge about another race referring to that another ethnicity may be turn out to be as bad as it is.

I am not a racist. I wish that everyone on this planet can get along together and welcome each other. I think that racism is wrong and I would like it to end. People should start to have no problems getting together well because all humans on this planet live in one race, and that race is called the human race.

Answer 4

Its ignorance and a little bit to do with where you live and how the people around you influence you. Me i grew up around all kinds of different ppl of all kinds of different colors my husband came from a place where there was one black guy in the whole school and they were brought up raciest he now sees that what was said is totally untrue and has no problem with other races he learned that there was no difference I believe that if children are taught from a very young age that all people are the same no matter what color they are or how much money they have this would make a huge difference in the world unfortunately some people teach there kids those things it just goes to show you some ppl should not be allowed to breed

Answer 5

Unfortunately its something that's taught... by our parents, family and peers. It doesn't have to anything overt... a tone of voice or a look on the face is enough from the parents to tell us that other races aren't approved of. Its also extremely persuasive. If you think about another area where this is the case.. religion... the vast majority of kids have the same religion as their parents... even if they have a choice.

Its a behavior that can be unlearned, but it has to be recognized for what it is first... and that's a difficult thing.

Answer 6

Ignorance and fear of the unknown pop to mind, but I think you have a very good question on whether it may still be hard wired in our minds from our primitive origins as a kind safety mechanism. I do think most people are capable of overcoming most of their prejudices with a little work and understanding. I guess the problem is, that a lot of people just don't want to overcome these prejudices. And yes, I know I have some prejudices. I just have to keep on eroding them away.

Answer 7

I do not care what color someone is if they share my values.
Other cultures do not seem to me to value the things I do in life in therefore I have a bias against them.
I value:
English as our National Language
Non-hyphenated American anything
Being married before having children, having all my kids with the same father who I do not call a babydaddy - it is my husband.
Education past High School
Not shooting or pulling a knife on someone I disagreed with.
Not protecting criminals from the police.
Hard work - an honest JOB
Following society's rules
Not having a feeling of entitlement for any reason
Personal Responsibility

I am a happily married MOM who went to college, lives on a cul-de-sac in the suburbs, goes to church, and am responsible for my actions and pay the consequences when I do something wrong. I have never taken drugs or known a hard criminal. Most of my friends are like me and we all speak English (my kids can all speak Spanish -they learned in school). I have friends of every race and they are like me too. They have my values and my friendship.
It is the culture - not the race.
Why do black people dislike blacks like Condi Rice? I would vote for her for President and most blacks think she is too white...give me a break.

Answer 8

Actually it is a human nature. Every human has their own like & dislike. A whole socity divided by ethinic , race, language & religion. Each & every human think they r the best and other race people are not worth. They don't have acceptable or correct proof for that. But they denied others ... Now days in modern life a doctor think he is best ! Engineer said he is better than an accountant; Accountant think he is best.. Richest people think they are better than others by status. As like all humans think their race or religion or language is better than others. Because of this reason every one hate other race or religion or language...

Answer 9

When we see our govenment play racial favoritism, it is not so much about race as it is our sense of justice. Eventually, yes, humans hate those who are costing them tax money.

The crime rate, the racial set aside programs, being left out of the job market for race inititatives, free college for some races, it all adds up.

Most people could care a less who their neighbors are as long as they are quiet and respectable. However, statistics show that certain races are more prone to crime and violence than others. This isn't a stereotype, it is about survival and not being a fool.

Answer 10

This is a very good question. I think a good majority of it is from the environment we were raised in. It's really how we were brought up. If when you were little you didn't like a certain race, it's because of your parents and even people who likely turn 24 may still have that ingrained in them even though they're grown adults. I think the whole other factor on this is if you had a run in or bad experience or two with another race you either was skeptic about--provided from the media, movies, tv or past experiences in general.