Was he being prejudice or racist to me?

Question

Okay, I don't know if this boy in 5th grade was being racist because I am Russian or whatever, which I do not understand, or just Prejudice.
In art class in the 5th grade, me and this boy who wanted to be a NFL player, and I wanted to be a singer, where talking. He says, "Well, I'm going to make a million dollars."
Then I say, "Well I'm going to make a billion dollars."
Then this other boy says, "Yeah right. Like you could ever make a billion dollars. You live in that tiny apartments."
Okay, first of all, he doesn't even know why I was living in an apartment. My parents were serperated, and my mom and I were having a house built. My parents are doctors, and had 3 BMWs. (I am not trying to brag. I did not say this to the boy.) This boy lived in a house. Why would he have said that? Was he just being prejudice and sterotypical to me because I lived in an apartment? Or was re racist because I was a Russian immigrant?

The kid who made the rude remark to me, was not the kid who said he was going to make a million dollars. Me and the NFL kid were just joking around about the money thing.

Answer 1

Many people are prejudiced against people they perceive to be poor. At least you got to see how it feels to be on the receiving end of that, and hopefully you will help and be friends with those who are deserving instead of blaming them for their circumstances. No disrespect meant by my comment--we all learn something new (hopefully) every day.

Answer 2

Maybe she means you can be prejudiced without being racist. I took sociology last year and that was something that they taught. Some people are prejudiced because they hold strong stereotypes about groups but are not racist because they don't hate people based on their race. They also taught that there are varying degrees of racism some actively discriminate while others are passive and secretive in their hate. Also societal influences can determine how open people are about their feelings. If they are in a group or around people that are also racist they will be openly racist but if they are around people that don't approve of it they will hide their true feelings. Pretty commonsense but it was more enlightening the way they explained it. Multiculturalism and sociology courses really give insight as to why people behave the way they do, give it a chance. Edit: I'm sorry, I didn't read all of your question at first, just the first half. Now I think your teacher sounds like an idiot if what you're saying is true. Sometimes teachers don't always know exactly everything they are teaching and sometimes they insert their own opinions into the lesson instead of teaching whats in the book. I had a US history professor that did this a lot, he basically tried to teach us that the Native Americans were barbaric people and that the sympathetic image that is taught is politically correct pacifying...Anyway I suggest that maybe you can go to your local library and check out some age appropriate sociology books so that you can have a leg to stand on when you (respectfully) challenge your teacher. Its okay to question what you are taught in school as long as you are well informed on arguing your side and are respectful of the teacher.

Answer 3

No. Just being a jerk. He'll probably grow out of it. Kids don't really know about racism or how to discriminate based on national origin.

So ignore him when he plays his superiority game. Only rotten eggs play it, anyhow.

Answer 4

in america, status is largely based on the posessions you have, sadly. i don't think it had much to do with the fact that you are russian. 5th graders are not always the nicest or most intelligent people either. i wouldn't worry about it too much.

Answer 5

I think it was a little bit of both because most americans think immigrants are a little poor, but maybe its just prejudice.

Answer 6

Not racist but insecure and threatened. Your ambitions go beyond him and he felt threatened by it. What the size of your home has to do with what you can achieve is beyond me.

The first thing about finantial success : Believe you can do it.

Then do it.

Answer 7

if you think about it, the word prejudice means to judge before time. racism is the belief that ones race is superior . he's a meanie

Answer 8

Neither. He is only in the 5th grade.

Answer 9

thIS BOY WAS JUST BEING STEROETYPE!!WHICH IS KINDA THE SAME THING AS RACIST!! BUT DONT LET PEOPLE BRING YOU DOWN!! THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO WILL END UP HAVING A CRAZY LIFE!!

Answer 10

Just plain mean. You were one upping him, mad him mad so he got mean.