For instance, I had a situation happen to me where someone (an acquaintance, said something horrible to me in a group situation)...everyone was mortified.
Someone stood up for me even before I could even come up with the best response.
ONe person in the group said "she's just a bigot, a racist. She's using that one thing to pick at you"
Everyone else disagreed.
How can you tell if someone is being racist or just being an idiot?
2006-08-23 06:51:08 · 8 answers · asked by FavoredbyU 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
what's the difference? racists ARE idiots!! some people have prejudices based on experience, but that doesn't apply to just people...you could have a prejudiced opinion about drinking wine, since none of the wines you've ever tasted appealed to you. it's the same way with people who make judgments about other people based on skin color or nationality or sexual preference. a true racist, in the most literal sense of the word, would not BE in a social situation where he/she would have to relate to people of a different color than they are, since they truly believe the color of their skin makes them superior to those who are not like them. i would have to guess that that person is really just an idiot with misguided loyalties and uninformed opinions, yet no interest in learning more about the people he/she is judging/condemning.
2006-08-23 06:53:14 · answer #1 · answered by vrandolph62 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The problem is that you consider the two items separately being racist is being an idiot.
I had a friend that would try to get a rise out of people by saying the most obnoxious things but prefacing the statements by saying "Well Tony says, Puerto Ricans are...", or "I've heard Black people like to...". As if repeating these things with another as the originator made it any better, when in fact it re-inforced the fact to me, that he might not be a racist, but he definitely was a moron.
I would rather not have to make the determination which is which...so i stay away from both.
2006-08-23 16:34:09 · answer #2 · answered by cookiemnster73 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Racism is a perception based on personal experiences and beliefs. If, as a white person, I go into a room full of blacks, hispanics, and one white person, and converse with the white person, I will be viewed in some people's eyes as a racist, only wanting to hang around others of my "kind". Others may see it simply for what it is--most likely having more in common with a particular stranger based on nothing more than race.
If someone tells a joke with another race involved, it's instantly racism.
Mentioning another race when dealing with an issue or occurrence that happened with that race can be deemed as racist.
Typically one race is not allowed to make a comment regarding a different race without being deemed a racist, but if two people were of the same race the comment would instantly be acceptable.
Many cry racism for the attention and sympathy he or she will receive, but racism is present among all of us regardless of how much society decries its mention. We will all feel more comfortable around members of our own race when presented in a situation, and based on others' perception, you may or may not be deemed a racist.
Racism exists at different levels as well. The person in your group may very well have been a true racist, pointing you out based on the color of your skin rather than just pointing you out. But understand racism in this day and age has become so sensitive that no one wants or cares to admit that it is not limited a small group of the lunatic fringe but rather on every street and every home in the world.
2006-08-23 14:19:52 · answer #3 · answered by Mark K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this is an isolated incident then I wouldn't worry. Racists aren't always easy to see if they sensor themselves well enough in group situations. If they were to repeat something similar in the future then I would begin to suspect.
Of coarse, you could always come right out and ask them but they will deny it whether they are or not.
Hope this helps and have a great day!!!
2006-08-23 13:56:33 · answer #4 · answered by Coo coo achoo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if they are using race in any ways that arent fact then they are racist.
2006-08-23 13:53:57 · answer #5 · answered by sean_mchugh6 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
confront them in a dark ally
2006-08-23 13:54:53 · answer #6 · answered by Paul L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's all in how they say it and how they make you feel. either way if you don't like it you shouldn't hang out with that person if they make you feel uncomfortable.
2006-08-23 13:55:26 · answer #7 · answered by chris j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is nothing wrong with being a racist...don't apologize...
2006-08-23 13:52:38 · answer #8 · answered by Billy! 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋