Do you have any prejudices toward different groups of people?

Question

Why or why not? Do you think all stereotypes have an element of truth to them? Were you at one time racist and made a conscious effort to overcame that? Or were you never racist but as you got older you started to get agitated at certain groups of people and find yourself resenting their lifestyle/ways/culture?

Answer 1

Yes. To be brutally honest, I do have some prejudices. If we are really sincere about the reality of things when we look in the mirror, we all have prejudices. I don't know if it's human nature, but it may come from an atavistic impulse. Way back in the days of the Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon man, it is easy to imagine that members of a certain tribe would mistrust and oppose 'outsiders', because they were part of that strange, abstract concept of the unknown.

And yes, good question about stereotypes- yes, there is a small component of truth to them. I cannot imagine why else they would exist to begin with. However, there is great peril in making snap judgments or assumptions about groups of people- unless it so happens that the judgment is actually to their favor. Let me provide an example.

I used to work at a video chain store years ago. I met this young Vietnamese couple- the young lady worked with me, and her spouse worked at a nail and beauty salon. They were really kind towards me, and used to buy me sodas, and things of that nature. From that experience, I feel positive towards Vietnamese people. To me, they are a kind, thoughtful, caring people. Of course, not to sound pessimistic- but when you examine the heart of man, then you know that the truth can be quite ugly. No matter what nationality one is, there are always going to be bad apples. Nationality, in the end, is irrelevant. In a definitive sense, everyone, in a perfect world, that is, should be looked upon as individuals.

I like what the first respondent said above. I like people of every race, religion, color, etc. But if someone is a cruel, rude, or mean person, I don't care what they believe nor where they come from- that person is not to be favored in my book.

I am sad to admit it, but I used to be racist. Again, to be brutally honest, there are moments when I feel that old, ugly impulse to judge people based upon race.

Okay, as an another example- It was raining yesterday evening. I was trying to rush to bring in some groceries from my car. I was tired, sweaty, and agitated. I was parked in this place whereby cars had to sort of swerve over in order to get around my car. I was walking down the breezeway towards my car to get the last of the groceries, when a car appeared to my left. I was trying to be polite, and I stood there with the rain falling over me, waiting for the person to pass by, so that I could get to my car door. The passenger in the vehicle happened to be a young man of a different race than I, and as they passed, he gave me this sort of "F you, white boy" look. Of course, I was pissed off immediately, and thought wicked thoughts. Here I was, trying to be polite, and this Dillhole was giving me the evil eye. He has some nerve! So, I am not above those primal instincts. But even though I believe that it is...natural (?) for us to be racist, I believe that we can rise above it. The truth of the matter is that it is and was irrelevant and immaterial that the young man who gave me the spiteful look just happened to be of a different skin pigment than yours truly- and why I could not venture to overlook that one aspect, I do not know. But I know it is possible to eliminate that sort of black- and- white thinking. Instead of seeing someone's race, sex, etc., there is a way to see people, again, as individuals, and all else matters not.

I do honestly love people- most of the time. I also love animals. I have found lots of interesting people here on 'answers' for example. This little microcosm has a vast array of different kinds of people from different tribes. I think that's great. Even people who may not share my religious beliefs, or who express disdain for people of my faith (Christianity) seem to sometimes have a sophistication and a dignity about the way that they elect to conduct themselves. I admire this.

I vehemently oppose Political Correctness. I hate it. But that doesn't mean that I want to offend my fellow man or woman unnecessarily. I do like to learn about different cultures and things- very much so. But sometimes, it is taken too far, for the sake of being politically correct. The powers that be refuse to do deliberate searches in airports, as to not offend people who may pose a threat. Which is the greater of the evils- to offend someone, or to allow a catastrophe like 9/11 to happen again? It doesn't make sense. But common sense is not so common anymore- as Voltaire once said.

I know that personally speaking, my faith has helped me to eradicate some of my prejudicial tendencies. I know that God loves everyone, and I believe that I should, too. But there are some prejudices that may not apply to race. Some people hate bankers. Some people hate Tom Cruise. Me? I hate insurance companies with a staggering passion. And, to a lesser extent, I hate obnoxious car salesmen. But you see- I am willing to acknowledge my own prejudices. Moreover, I am willing to see the absurdity of them. Car salesmen? They're not all liars. Just like with lawyers- many people loathe lawyers, and assume that lawyers are deceitful dirtbags. Well, I don't believe that is true.

The truth is that there is good and bad in everything. This immutable law also applies to people. We all have a good dog and an evil dog inside of us. It's a matter of choice in regards to which dog we feed- and the manner in which we feed it.

Answer 2

I think most people DO have prejudices towards different groups of people, including myself. In general, I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, and I feel that it is a shame that I and many other people have these close-minded beliefs. If I meet someone, I don't go into any conversation believing a certain thing about them. I let them present themselves to me (doesn't matter what the person looks like) and then I make a decision as to the kind of person they are.

I think that there are many misunderstandings as to what the real truth is regarding stereotypes. Mexicans, for instance, can and often are called Beaners, I don't know any others (I'm sure a lot of people know more); and, yes it is true that we like beans, but so do African Americans (even though they are not pinto beans. Does not matter.

I have never been racist toward anyone, but I have had racist actions brought against me.

As a child, you don't really know much about racism unless you are raised in a KKK environment (etc.). However, I find that now that I am older, I have a tendency to look at people a little closer for stereotypes and the like. I am not outright mean or ugly to any certain group of people. If people are civilized with me, I return the courtesy.

Answer 3

It depends on what you mean by racist. I grew up in a small town with few minorities. So, we were somewhat ignorant and provincial about things, but not actually resentful of those who are different. I guess it was tolerance, but not necessarily acceptance.

Getting older and visiting the city and college exposed me to other races. I have to admit that sterotypes often are based in reality. Or at least it seems that way. Yet, it's not so much about race as it is culture and socio-economic status.

Americans are independent-minded, or think they are, so they resent a group of people who think differently than they do. They either consider them non-independent and intellectually lazy (otherwise they would have come to the same conlcusions), or subversives working against the dominant culture of America. I try not to be racist, but I feel myself thinking this way from time to time.

There are only two groups that tend to produce that reaction in me. One groups is illegal immigrants from south of the border who violate the laws of this country. The other group are Poles in Chicago who think they own the place because it's the largest collection of Poles outside of Warsaw. In both cases, it's because they disdain the melting pot culture we have, or try to have. Some of the Poles come here, work for good money with their american "connections" and then go home, without even trying to integrate into this culture and being haughty about it. It's not all of them, not by a long shot, but that small group made living in Chicago feel like I was a foreigner in my own country. But I don't hate them, I'm just irritated by their behavior.

Answer 4

I find that I am quite prejudice towards alot of groups, and I try really hard to control that but can't. Luckily, whenever I met an individual, I judge them as an individual. I think the reason I am prejudice is that I judge other cultures with the set of morals I have been brought up with in my culture, for example in our culture women have simular rights, but in Saudi Arabia they can't drive or vote, and I immediatly judge that culture quite negatively. If I am completely honest, I find stereotypes, from my own experience quite helpful, for example, I have found that Oriental people seem to have a very good sence of honour and are therefore very trustworthy, so I am less weary of them, than certain other groups who I alway treat with great caution. I don't regard this as racism, I think I would be a fool not to learn from past experience, even if this does mean thinking of one culture in a more negative way.

Answer 5

I'll be honest, there are certain things about white people I just don't like and my rule is to keep a stick between them until I see something in them which might convince me that I'm wrong. This has happened, but it's not as if I make an effort to prove myself wrong :p

It's more of a cultural thing actually - in my country (South Africa) race generally equates to culture. That said I don't see the logic in being prejudiced based on the concept of 'race', many black people have been quite efficient at oppressing their fellow black citizens after emulating the culture and mindset of the ex-ruling elite.

I never let on that I'm a common rascist since I maintain this polished veneer of being a liberal which everyone falls for, but deep down inside ooh yes I resent white people. Alot.

Specifically I can't stand Afrikaners or people who subscribe to that culture.

I can also not stand people who bear the attitude of "the world owes me because I suffered/sacrificed/am black/white/Palestinian/Israeli/etc."

And quite obviously, lazy stupid people.

Answer 6

I think we all have preconceived notions. I saw a family at the dentists yesterday that was dressed down and I would have guessed that they were lower-middle class. But, they were driving a Navigator. I expected them to have an older model car because they looked"poor". While, I'm dressed up and have a 10 year old minivan. I don't have any prejudices toward race at all, but maybe towards class - against the upper-class, and upper-middle class. I am just jealous.

Answer 7

Yes, just one group, but they aren't divided by race, creed, color, religion or any of your normal divisions. They are the people who walk this earth thinking that everyone owes them and hating everyone who doesn't pay up. They are the ones who think it is Okay to trample the rights of others. Some of them can be found passing laws to take away freedom from the rest of us under the disguise of protecting us from each other. They can be found in the work place gossiping and backstabbing their co-workers. They can found driving down the highway cutting other people off or throwing temper tantrums because they were cut off.

Answer 8

Sure. As stated, everyone makes assumptions/stereotypes towards others at first. Whether we continue to carry those out further indicate prejudice. Anyone who says they're not obviously loves everyone and everything in the world.

Answer 9

I am or was I never prejudices I like all types of people we are one, the human race, but I don't like people who are rude and assholes.

Answer 10

I like the guy above me who hates assholes