Why doesn't respect for all races go both ways?

Question

I know that racism is wrong and I agree with that. however, it seems that when we talk about racism we mean a white person disapproving of a black person. Why doesn't it work the other way? I mean, if i came into an all black town and I was the only white one there, wouldn't I get disapproved of there?

Note: if this question ioffends you, please don't answer.

Answer 1

I know exactly what you mean, my hometown has a large muslim population, mainly from Pakistan and Saudi. I lived in areas of the city that were popluated by muslims and students and I was treated abominably by the local young muslim men. I was racially, sexually and physically abused, spat at, had sour milk poured over my head (not all at once!) for years until I eventually was forced to move. The police would not get involved as they would be considered racist if they did. If I were to have done and said the same things to a minority, I would have been imprisoned years ago. As a woman, I want to feel protected against threats, regardless of race and I was severly let down. In this case, they are above the law but still lead people to believe that they are the oppressed and racially harrased victims. I wish that they could learn racial equality the same as everyone else.

Answer 2

It does go both ways in my opinion...but unfortunately history has determined that as white European colonial descendants, the sins of our forefathers are forever etched on the minds of the descendants of those they oppressed. Most of us now in this day and age consider racist slurs and attitudes to be outdated and morally unacceptable, and we are ever mindful of our words and actions lest they offend somebody or open us up to condemnation from others. This ethos, however, has not translated to the other camp in the same way...I live in a country town in Western Australia and the Aborigines have little or no respect for white people whatsoever. I cannot speak on behalf of everyone here, but, even if it appears that things are amicable between our two cultures, they most certainly are not. They hate us because we are a constant reminder to them of their conquerors (who were cruel and ignorant, same as any conquer er).
Respect for all races should go both ways, but how do you erase the legacy of so many wrongs from a peoples' mind? Could you if you were black or Indian? I'm not supporting racism towards Europeans, but I do understand that colonialism has a lot to answer for and the repercussions have only just begun.

Answer 3

I think only a reactive moron would be offended by your question, but anyway...


Some people have a theory that there is no such thing as a black person being racist, because they define racism as being Prejudice + Power. Society is mostly racist against black people, so when a white person is racist to a black person, they are backed up with the help of society. When a black person is racist to a white person, they do not have society behind them. They are being prejudiced but not racist.

I don't know if I agree, but I do know that black people can definitely be racist (prejudiced?) against white people, or other races.

Answer 4

racism does go both ways. it goes all ways. muslims racist against jews, jews against muslims. bosnians/croatians.....blacks whites....every group likes to blame problems on others.


the reason that white against black racism is always brought up, is that white are and have been the majority for a long time. they have had the power, and the control. so racism from whites to blacks has alot more impact than racism the other way.

it definetely exists....but take the '50s...if the blacks didn't want white people to sit somewhere on the bus....well, wouldn't really matter would it? but the whites didn't want blacks to sit....

it happens....and i know alot of blacks who are just as or more racist than many whites.....but it's history, it's who is in power, it's numbers. and the media latches on to it. media exposure means alot today....too much if you ask me, but no one cares if a black man is racist to a white guy. but a white guy with a position, reacts poorly to a black guy below him.....hold the presses!!!

it's sad, but true.

Answer 5

If your great-grandfather was mutilated and hanged for looking at a white woman, if your grandparents had a cross burned in their front yard for registering blacks to vote, if your father struggled with self-esteem because he couldn't find a job that matched his ability or had to work for a boss who constantly berated him... what kind of legacy would you carry?

If your great-grandmother was raped by a white man, if your grandmother had to take care of white children while her own children went unattended, if your mother had a buit-in distrust of her own husband because she was molested by some stranger while her mother was caring for white children... what emotions would you struggle with?

If you didn't even know your great-grandparents, your grandparents or your father because the effects of poverty and racism were so strong that they succombed to addiction and dysfunction... what kind of life would you live?

I'm not using these illustrations to draw up sympathy or pity - no self respecting person wants pity for their plight in life. But some variation of any one of the above illustrations is much more common than you may think. And at this point in time, because of some advancements made in race relations, many white folks show an indifference to non-whites that can feel like salt against a wound that hasn't yet healed.

So to answer your question... yes, respect should be given in every direction to every person. But expecting someone to get over the past without acknowledging the pain they may still be carrying presently is not respect. If more whites were armed with compassion rather than self-defense and judgment, after time we would see wounds heal and relationships grow. You may not have created the wounds, but you still should be sensitive to them.

Answer 6

Oh, it's called politically correct. It's ok to be black and "dis" white people. But to be white and tell the truth about anyone, and let them be of any different race / wham! You're automatically a racist. Oh, and the biggest racists are the one that scream racism. Ever notice that.

Answer 7

Before we had "white" racism, now we have mostly "anti-white" racism. Are you looking for a "golden mean"? This is concept from philosophy, in the real life we more often meet the extremes.

Answer 8

You just have to ask yourself if you have run into any white racists lately. Chances are you have. All it takes is one of any race to give a bad impression of all of them. If there is even one racist in a black neighborhood, chances are you will run into them. It doesn't mean that even most of them are racist. Just means that there are still ignorant people of all races left in the world yet.

Answer 9

racism is wrong and goes all ways angel. there's no difference between one race feeling superiority over another be it caucasion, asian, hispanic, or african. to answer your q: yes there would be some people who would look down on you simply because of your skin color. i am multi culti and get looked down on by all my nationalities. it's never right. be the change you want to see it the world.

Answer 10

not necessarily, so youre saying that if blacks were in a group that they become racist? nope, i love all people, it doesn't depend on race at all, it's all about culture, maybe if u were around uncivilized blacks (the ghetto) or something like that there are all different cultural backgrounds of people, not just race. i hope they dont discriminate against you.