Why does racism exist??

Question

I am a white girl livin in a small town where the amount of black or asian familys is very small. I have just started a new job and i am the only white girl workin with at least 7 black men at a time. On my first day i had a few comments from friends telling me to be careful or just general shock that i wasn't worried. The thing is, these guys have turned out to be some of the nicest people! Such gentlemen and they are all very respectful... Why is it that in this day and age society still exculdes and judges people who they may view as different? Surely its these differences that make like interesting??

Answer 1

It's a remnant of a history with many grim things in it, but we're getting over it. Racism is now shoved into a minority corner, ashamed and secret for the most part, and aware of the fact that they are in a vanishing minority.

Most of us realize there is simply no justification for considering the color of ones skin as more significant than the color of ones hair or eyes. It's all getting blended over time, anyway; it's Mother Nature's way.

Make love, not war.

Answer 2

Sadly, racism is a dark part of human nature. The fear of the unknown. When we are ignorant of the cultures, traditions, and history of other races, and grow up in an environment where racism is not confronted. . .It becomes easy to form your own racist judgements and stereotypes of other races.

Props for you! You are obviously a good person in this world. Even though it seems so small, just your acknowledgement that "Why is it that in this day and age society still exculdes and judges people who they may view as different? Surely its these differences that make like interesting??" helps make the world truly a better place.

Peace!

Answer 3

Racism is one of those human frailities that has plagued mankind since the dawn of human existence. It makes little sense because usually it is based upon the supposition that a (said race) is inferior ( to ones own race ) because of false or misleading observations or for that matter, just plain ol' fashioned bullheadedness (false pride). Of course it should be noted that all people have a bit of racism in them...even the best of us. However, the nicest people know how to deal with their own weaknesses and do so on a regular basis. As long as a person knows that no race of people is bad or evil simply because of the color of their skin, then that is the first step in learning the truth about all humans...namely, that regardless of race, anyone can be evil or good. It is good to hear that you like the people you work with (regardless of their race ) but as you get older you will learn to be a little wary of anyone you don't know that well....regardless of their race. This is called being discriminatory and is a learned skill meant to protect you from the scumbags that walk our earth. As long as you don't stereo-type people and give people the benefet of the doubt you will be a good natured and fair person. Martin Luther King said it the best when he noted that people should be judged not on the color of their skin but on the content of their character. Just keep in mind, we all mess up once in a while and make wrong judgements.

Answer 4

There seems to be an age component- the young are more open-minded, seeing difference as an opportunity to grow. Whereas older people who have everything they need from within their own racial group see others as a risk. That's my experience anyway. It isn't confined to black and white either, those just happen to be the extremes of skin colour.

They probably have a bet going to see who can date you first- just like 7 white guys would!

Answer 5

I totally agree with you! I think that different cultures, beliefs and races make us interesting and open minded, or at least that's how it should be!

Alot of racism is carried on through parental knowledge and can sometimes be forced upon someone without them learning and understanding for themselves. However it is not just about colour and culture. Alot of people discriminate against homosexuality, an individuals sense of style, a hair cut, where they are from. I dont think we will ever irradicate this, its up to us who do have an open mind to just keep plodding on in the hope that things will change... we live in hope! xxx

Answer 6

There are different types of racism - theres the nasty going to harm people who have a different skin colour, accent, religion from them and then theres the one you are on about and thats the one thats fear of something they dont know. Both are bad awful things but at least it sounds like your friends could be educated into thinking differently. They will look back in a couple of years and feel embarrassed that they actually felt like that and said things so stupid.

Good luck with your new job, it sounds like you really enjoy it.

Answer 7

Racism is usually associated with ego.

"I don't like him because he's white/black" you could also read between the lines as

"I don't like him because he has a better car/girlfriend/house than me, and because he is of a different colour, it is easier to attack that than to be honest" or

"I don't like him because people expect me to dislike him and I'm uncomfortable with them expecting me what to say/do but I can't tell them that so it's easier to be racist" or

"I don't like him because he is in my country exploiting resources/my taxes - this isn't about colour this is about money but I'd feel embarrassed admitting that" or

"I'm saying this for shock value because I can't think of anything funny to say"

It's a bit like when you're small and having an argument with another kid and you want to mean. You pick on what is different between the two of you. If they have spots, you pick on that. If they have glasses, you call them four-eyes. If they're overweight, you call them fat and so on. The point is, deep down, their appearance is just easy pickings rather than saying how you feel.

I've said racist things in the past, and I've regretted that. In all truth, when I've said racist things, all I've cared about was getting a laugh. I never looked at someone and felt any hatred towards them because they were another colour. But because I felt guilty about saying racist things, I was also a coward who didn't have the guts to say it in front of the race I was having a laugh at. I love tasteless jokes, but then, maybe the joke I was making might have made someone of colour laugh with me. If I weren't such a jerk about it, they would have felt included in the joke rather than feeling as if they were being 'the joke' themselves- because of me excluding them- then maybe now I would have less regret. No wonder there is such a divide between colours and cultures when we can't even speak to eachother.

Answer 8

Racism exists because people will not let it go and refuse to move on. People will call something racist when it isn't. Just because others were concerned for you at your job, does not make them racist. Look at the facts: You, 1 white GIRL. Them: 7 black GUYS. Guys in general can be hard to work with. I've worked with some sleazy acting guys....some black....some white....some mexican. You sound super naive to me.

Answer 9

It's human nature. People like to think they are superior. In families, it exists; "His father is a low life", "Her mother was a b***h". It exists on all levels. People can't help feeling superior to others, even tho it isn't true. "white people are better than...", "black people are ..yadayadayada". Humans are negative creatures, racism along with all bigotry are negative traits. HUMAN NATURE. In life you'll look back on that job and remember the nice people you met, and hopefully teach your children not to think like a racist , because you experienced the opposite.

Answer 10

I wish i could give you 10 points because you sum up what i think so well .Your statement is so good it should be an answer rather than part of a question.A big thumbs up to you