Do you think racists see themselves as "bad people"?

Question

A quote from iconic Canadian director Norman Jewison.

"And I think all Nazis didn't see themselves as bad people. I've never met a racist yet who thought he was a racist. Or an anti-Semite who thought they were anti-Semitic."

I agree, what about you?

Answer 1

No, they see themselves as right. It's the rest of us they think are bad / wrong.

Answer 2

When you think that you are right then you dont think of yourself as a bad person...the Nazi's thought that they were in the right in getting rid of the jews...as well as the Romans thought that they were in the right to get rid of the Christians. Its just a matter of what that person is thinking at the time. That's why we have laws and people in authority to handle racists. I know its not enough but as long as we all remember what's right and what's wrong and its the majority we should keep racisim at bay

Answer 3

The term bigot or racist has a negative stigma. Most are unwilling to give themselves a negative stigma so have therefore deluded them selves into thinking that they are no a racist rather justified in their views or even "right".

In short, I agree. And Norman Jewison is the MAN.

Answer 4

I've heard things come out of children's mouths that shocked me, and they carried on speaking unaware that they had said anything wrong. Being raised in a household that doesn't value diversity gives people the idea that it's normal behavior. If your parents and other role models use racial slurs, you will likely do the same. So, from that standpoint, I don't think that they see themselves as bad people. They likely consider themselves normal or average sorts, and probably don't realize that they are bigots. Their ignorance extends to self-reflection, if you don't see anything wrong on the surface why dig deeper?

Answer 5

I think its open to interpretation as to what is racist and it depends on the gender and race of the person saying it. Ya thats 100% true but calling all blacks leaches or calling all white men the devil is racism and its a form of mental illness called Hate.
I know someone who is gay but believes in the nazi's. What a dumbass......the nazis wanted to kill all homosexuals! He may be a bad person but in this case its low intelligence and living in the mountains all his life. This guy is creepy and he uses the n word a lot to. Id say hes got good and bad traits but that doesn't mean I like him for his good traits so in my book hes bad in his hes good.

Answer 6

Most people don't think they are bad, but their are examples of cowardice, secrecy and hiding behind something else, rather it be another person, a unjust law, or a government.

It was pretty hard to find any one who would admit to being a Nazi after the war. Even the people who lived next door to concentration camps hadn't a clue as to what happened in them. Nor did they ever admit that there was something funny about women and children being shipped there.
The KKK who hid under sheets , and terrorize in the dark of night, spewing their filth. They don't think they are "Bad People".

Some people on this site who are openly racist and evidently think highly of themselves.

The government official and heads of state, who lie, are religious posers and who set in motion the deaths of ten's of thousands of human beings, yet who still think themselves righteous and good. Those officials who deceive us and seek to limit our freedoms don't think of themselves as BAD!

The examples would fill a book. Do I agree? Absolutely!

Answer 7

In order to feel you are bad or youve done something wrong you have to care about who you've offended,and what they will think of you. Since racists do not acknowledge others of difference as being "human" they could care less how they feel,therefor the racists feel no guilt so they dont feel bad. In fact I believe they actually feel better knowing they could upset someone they dislike .

Answer 8

Someone who is seriously depressed has to be told that they need professional help, someone who has a maniac depressive disorder is either already hospitalized or is being treated at home. These people come to realize that they are not bad, but it is a condition they have that is treatable. But a true racist, one that outs out hate towards is beyond reasoning or help.

Answer 9

No, i don't think they see themselves as bad people. Racism is taught so they are thinking and doing what they were taught. It is too bad though cause Racism is a form of hatred and ignorance. They can't see themselves as bad people cause that is all they know. Like Jesus said, "forgive them father for they know not what they do". In other words forgive these fools because they are ignorant.

Answer 10

i agree that people never see when they are bad. they only see and point out when all those around them are bad. It's kinda like when you go to a funeral you will never hear the preacher say "oh so and so was a rapist and murderer or a drug dealer on the corner" all you'll hear is how good the person was. LOL

Answer 11

No. They see themselves as pure or protectors of whatever twisted ideals they hold. This is one of the reasons I disagree with people who are so open-minded that they say "it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are sincere." On the contrary, a person can be absolutely sure in his or her own mind yet still be dead wrong.