Isn't racism natural?

Question

Just consider what I am saying before you get mad. Sure, growing up, children aren't racist. They do not recognize differences. But eventually, we start to grow and learn, and we begin to see differences in the world, taste, smell, feel, whatever. We begin to see that someone else's skin is a different color.

Aren't we naturally offended by anything different? If the grass all of a sudden turned blue, wouldn't you be uncomfortable? When you put your hand on a hot stove, you naturally pull away. If you are used to dr. pepper, and someone gives you coke, you wish you had dr. pepper? If you get used to the way your friend dresses or talks, you would feel uncomfortable if they changed their image and personality? If you look and see your skin a certain color in the mirror... isn't it only natural to feel uncomfortable around a different color? Most people do not like change, and feel uncomfortable around different or new circumstances.

This topic came up in one of my college classes.

Answer 1

Yes, racism is natural, in the sense that it is in our genes to distrust creatures that resemble us, but belong to a different group.
This is quite clear from the behavior of chimps who will hunt and kill and eat chimps belonging to another group.
However,we need not be the slaves of our genes. Sometimes people go against their genes and decide not to copulate at that time. We call that civilization. So racism is natural, but uncivilized.

Answer 2

Racism is not a natural thing, it's a matter of choice. People are born into the world and everyone notices that people have different skin colors- those who say they are color blind need the doctors- you do not become a racist until your behaviour changes towards people of other races. Everyone is born into a society, live and appreciate others too. It's wrong to discriminate people. Black people are the major victims of racism. No race is superior to another. What makes it worse is the fact that the non American blacks do not even have to travel outside their countries to be discriminated.they experience it in their country. The whites are in no way superior to the blacks. And this happens for no good reason

Answer 3

First of all, I am not a person that get easily upset.

Sure, when we are born we don't know any different. Then we start to grow and we learn the different colors of things and people.

I think your theory on the grass turning blue is a little harsh. I do not believe that a person or all people are born or raised to be racist.

I am not a racist. Never have been and my choice is to never be. BUT on the other hand....we were never raised to be racist. BUT my brother is one of the most racist person I have ever in my life met. Nothing that I say or could say will ever change his mind. It is just not one race of people, it is anyone that is not white. We weren't raised that way at all. But in his latter years he has become to hate. AND hatred goes along with racism.

I do believe that we are never to old to learn. I believe that we learn things until the day we are no longer on this earth.

I thank you for your question. I haven't seen my brother in about 3 years because of his racism. But I love him dearly and always will. Thank you again.

Answer 4

Is Racism Natural

Answer 5

But the existence of other races isn't change and it isn't new. Racism isn't natural, but I do think some people grow up a racists simply because their parents set a poor example.

Answer 6

Race is man made so there is no way its natural. Human kind was born on a chart telling people what race they were. If anyone thinks its natural they are probably a little bet racist. Animals dont have races so if someone tried to use that as an example to support why they think racism is natural then they are stupid

Answer 7

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RE:
Isn't racism natural?
Just consider what I am saying before you get mad. Sure, growing up, children aren't racist. They do not recognize differences. But eventually, we start to grow and learn, and we begin to see differences in the world, taste, smell, feel, whatever. We begin to see that someone else's skin is...

Answer 8

It might be somehow related to some "protective" instinct.

But civilization is the practice of overcoming the baser urges. We don't kill every stranger we meet out of fear, or court a mate by smelling each others' genitals.

ANYONE who is different may stir some kind of anxiety.

Interesting question. If we can't discuss the issues we can't solve the problems. Racism needs to be stamped out, no matter the source. I don't think you were saying anything in conflict with that.

Answer 9

See similar question below...

Natural not necessarily - e.g. you are naturally racist.
Instinctive at times, yes.

Nature and Nurture both play a hand in racism.
Nature-- fear of the unknown, observed behavior
Nurture - you're taught group "X" is bad

On the positive side-
Nature - natural interest in the different to learn about it
Nurture - A person is not defined entirely by their race.

Answer 10

Seeing something different doesn't evoke an immediate flight response. It merely prompts us to be cautious. Since all humans belong to one race regardless of skin color, that initial caution should eventually lead to acceptance.

Your analogies are a little off. The Diet Pepper/Coke analogy for example starts with a stated preference already (the bias is there at the beginning) unlike your own statement that children arent racist to begin with.

The stove analogy doesn't work either. An aversion to something that causes pain is natural. How is mingling with people with a different skin color going to cause pain?

Answer 11

You pose an interesting question. But your premise is off base.

The things you use to describe support of racism is not racism at all. Be uncomfortable with something that has changed is not the same as racism. Feeling pain when you touch something hot is not the same as racism.

this is how racism is defined:
rac‧ism –noun
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

none of what you are describing is racism which is based in hatred, and the belief that your own preference is superior and the other is inherently inferior.

Is blue grass inferior to green grass? or Is it hatred to prefer green grass over blue?

Is is hatred or or superiority to pull away from a hot stove...no it makes sence to not want to get burned. - This example makes not sence at all.

Is it hatred to prefer coke over diet pepper? Is one inferior to the other? Does coke have the right to rule over Dr. pepper?

Discomfort with change or something different does not mean that it is inherently inferior.

It is totally natural to have preferences. And humans typically prefer things or people they relate to or identify with....but that does not mean that the prefered thing or person is superior.

Comfort or discomfort with something does not equal racism. I'm black, and not prejudiced or racist but I would be more comfortable with a room full of people like me than I would with people not like me. But, that does not mean I think one or the other is more superior and has the right to rule over the other.

I'm more comfortable in my pj's but I can't wear them all the time. At some point I have to accept wearing other clothes...

At some point you have to accept working with, seeing, talking with, people that are not like you.

Good question, not good support for your question.