Is this one of the keys to reduce racism?

Question

Racism is something that disgusts me more than almost anything else on Yahoo Answers or anywhere else for that matter. I am fortunate to live in Canada, in a place where incidents of discrimination based on race are a very rare thing. Here is the question: If people of other ethniticities than caucasian stopped making an issue out of their race, would other people be less likely to perceive them as different? As an example: I've heard more than once (especially on tv) a black woman giving a pep talk to another including the phrase "you are strong *black* woman....". I'm fairly certain that if a white person would put emphasis on the fact that they are white or show any pride in it, they would be perceived as being white surpremacists! People should be proud of their God-given strengths independantly of their race. I'm not saying this would eliminate racism, but would it make a difference?

I know very well that it would take a lot more than this to eliminate racism, as I have stated in my original question. I also agree that people are indeed different, but I think that has more to do with culture and life experiences than with race. I just think that putting constant emphasis on one's race while attributing particular characteristics to it is inaccurate. Being white, black, asian, arab, etc does not make me either strong, intelligent, wise, nurturing, etc or the opposite. And as someone else said, being proud of being white seems to be the only kind that is "forbidden", that is politically incorrect. That says a lot.

It's irritating to be misunderstood by several people here. The phrase "strong black woman" does not offend me in the least. I'm more *concerned* that the fact that they emphasize that they are black (or whatever race) is something that could make it more likely for people who *do* have a tendancy to be racist to see them as not on the same level.

Answer 1

Racism will continue to be a problem as long as differences (good and bad) are played up between ethnic groups and cultures.

Until there is a generation that is color blind - they see a man or a woman, not a black, white, yellow, red, green man or woman - there will always be racism. Skin color should matter just as much as eye or hair color in my opinion, but society - and the mass media espescially - continue to make it a bigger deal than it should be.

Answer 2

It's not quite that easy. When a group of people has been tormented by racism, they're vulnerable. They need to compensate for the insults by recognizing the strengths of their people. In the U.S. there are black matriarchs who take care of people who are lost and get them on their feet. There are black single mothers who manage to raise their children well single-handedly. There are women who endure being prostitutes without having their spirits degraded or destroyed. The image of a strong black woman gives all black women strength. In that context, saying, "You're a strong black woman" isn't racist.

But racism does exist among the minorities as much as it does in the mainstream. Love of humanity is the only answer. Respect for other cultures is vital to love of humanity. If the people who understand and experience this do what they can, things will get better. But as far as I can see, there is no legal or political solution to bigotry. It's a problem that exists in the human heart and has to be solved in the human heart.

Answer 3

I think that could be part of it. But I think a lot has to do with upbringing - ignorance.

I *don't* like how everyone can be proud of their heritage except for caucasians unless we are considered racist.

Or how my husband and I were thought to be racist cause we moved from Texas. What is funny is I was brought up with friends of my parents that had interracial marriages - and I'd pose with a black friend as an interracial couple just to get the looks and comments when I lived in GA.

Answer 4

We have become too sensitive to race and religion. We are different. That is half of what makes us human. Trying not to recognize this is a huge problem.

Unfortunately, small people need to have excuses for why their world sucks and it's a lot easier to blame someone else for their problems than to accept responsibility themselves. That's where racism comes from.

There is nothing wrong with taking pride in who you are and where you came from. Our race is part of our history and it deserves to be glorified. This is love.

There is nothing right about looking down on someone because of what they are. This is just elevating ones self at the expence of others. It's making excuses for why your world sucks and passing the blame on to someone else. This is a lot easier than accepting responsibility for yourself. It's the choice of small people and is nothing but hate.

Hiding behind 'political correctness' is never going to be the answer. It in itself is racism.

Answer 5

Sometimes the only ones who are talking about racism are racist themselves - I am afraid everyone in the modern world is even just alittle bit racist - even myself - and I try hard not to be - but people are not treated correctly or honestly based on color or religion!@

Answer 6

I don't know how it is in Canada but if you brought up the issue of a black woman saying "strong black woman" you would be labelled a racist in USA.

Answer 7

Most minorities are ashamed that they are minoroties and have low self esteem, or you wouldn't need such nonsense as Black History month.

Answer 8

For sure!