why do some white people have a hard time recognizing that they are racists?

Question

I noticed in some of the blogs that some white people have a hard time recognizing that they are indeed ignorant racists. Racism is all about ignorance and meanness - not knowing where we all come from - Africa. Not caring about the suffering of others - in many different countires that are not Caucasian. I know when you are on top, you won't come down, unless knocked down. I just want to know do you feel that racism is a real problem in the world? How do you contribute to it and what do some of us do to stop it? I have seen many racist comments and I just wonder if some of you are aware that you are being racist, if you are more readily willing to accept that you come from plaid or polka dot people or apes, than an African person. Africans are just people, like us.

Answer 1

It is so difficult to change the minds of ignorant people. The best thing to do is get involved in community organizations working to educate others. You seem to be a very passionate and entergetic person that can help shape the minds of ignorant people. It will be rough but with determination it can be done. I believe people fear what they do not know and with your encouragement you can change the lives of many. The key to happiness is for everyone to see that we are all equal and from the same creator. We are united by the fact we are all humans with the capacity to accept, learn, and most of all love. Keep your stance on this issue and work towards being a contribution to this cause. Good luck and God bless!

Answer 2

Every single human being that has ever lived on this earth is racist. Let me explain why. I am a white girl. I don't care about race. I judge a person by who they are as a whole. I have parents who wouldn't care if I brought a black, mexican, native american, middle eastern, white man home to meet them. I was brought up well. I would consider myself to be "not a racist." However, if we (or I) weren't racist, why the hell is this even brought up? When you look at someone that is a different color (or who has a disability or is old or is the opposite gender...etc) you can't block out the fact that they look different from you. The whole "I don't look at color" is a lie. We notice it because it is a physical characteristic. And whether or not people would admit it, its true. It is human nature. Not that it is right or wrong, it is just the way it is. I watched an iterview with (I believe) Morgan Freeman. He said the best thing I have ever heard to sum it all up. He said something along the lines of- until we stop saying the word "black," or "white" racism will ALWAYS be an issue. I hope you can understand that. I'm guessing you are (doesn't really matter becaue what I am about to say applies to everyone)...
Do you have any idea how uneducated you sound by calling all black people Africans? I know you were trying to sound "politically correct" but it just sounds ridiculous. My mom worked at the center for black studies at a university in illinois for many years so I was exposed to black people all the time and (I thank God I was raised the way I was because I know that there is no easy answer. Its all about knowing a person regardless of their race). Anyway, my mom had a hard time with one person all the time. One day he spouted off that he was "African American." My mother asked him where he was from...He said Africa. Is that a little ridiculous? Just as my family didn't immigrate here until the early 1900s, the people that don't realize that Africa is a CONTINENT, not a country, obvioulsy have no clue about their roots. I'm not in the least bit negating what anyone went through or where they are from, but come on. I am Italian. But I don't say I am from Italy. I know the difference. It seems like a broken record, but who cares? If someone is ignorant and biggoted and a racist, thats their thing. Just don't become like that yourself. Be happy with the people you choose to surround yourself with and I guarantee this won't matter so much to you. Be happy with your life. Once you are able to form intelligent questions and make someone think instead of correct you, make sure you really know what you are talking about. I am assuming you are very young but start your life by realizing people's differences and that you can't change them. I can't stand when people say things racist, but i tell them to please stop and thats that. Once again I say that this isn't an opinion to black people or white people, simply an answer to a question that (for how long the question is) is that long. Only be on here if you have the time. Its hard to make an educated, happy person when you think that everyone besides you is ignorant. How about researching a little, you'd be suprised how much you can learn when you put a litte effort

Answer 3

I don't really know why some people are racist and as far as them not recognizing it, I think they just don't want to admit it and should be ashamed of themselves. I think it is hateful and evil and just plain ugly. There are just as many bad people of other races as well. It doesn't and shouldn't matter what a person's skin color is or where they come from, we are all human and all have feelings and all bleed the same. What makes some people think that they are better than others any way. I don't contribute to it and the only way I know to deal with it in my own surroundings is when I hear someone near me say something that is a racist statement or comment, I just tell them that I don't like or appreciate that kind of talk and don't want to hear it around me, so, they can either stop while in my presence or leave. You can't change the way other people think or feel (sadly) but, you can change the way it is allowed into your life. If ignorance is bliss, then I guess there are some pretty happy people out there all over the world. How unfortunate in this situation!

Answer 4

everybody is racist in some way or another. they will always have some type of generalization in the back of their heads that they dont spill out because they dont want someone to call them a "racist". and it sounds like you are generalizing right now? why is it just white people? why not mexicans, or chinese, indian, portugese?huh? its only a theory that all people orginated in Africa. Racism is a real problem, look what its caused? civil war (although ive seen some debates that civil war was caused over some kind of cotton problem), WW2, and hell, thats all i can think of at the top of my head but i know there is way more. I dont contribute to try and stop it. Something that has been here from the beginning of time will most likely stay until the end of time. People are entitled to their opinion, people should be allowed to think what they want. Even though their opinions are wrong, what are you going to do, beat them until they say they love that race? Here is just one question though, is it possible to be racist towards the race of people who are racists? so then, people who say they are not racists, really are? because they display their negative judgement towards all those who have negative judgement to others?

Answer 5

Kindhearted, I think you hve seen enough of my questions and answers to know I am not racist, however I can see where you may have upset some people with your question, for racism is not just confined to caucasians. There are racists in every culture. Eradicating it is the aim.

I agree with you that there are people who ARE racist and don't believe they are. Again, though, this is across all ethnicities.

Is racism a real problem? Too darn right it is! For there is no logical or rational basis for it, yet is exists and leads to oppression, wars, all sorts of nasty things.

Racism is more overt in the USA than most other places in the world and you need to look to your country's history books to find the causes, together with the anthropological analysis of that history.

To Cayleen, it is important to the extent that NOT understanding a common ancestry is the basis for much of the racism that exists in the world - acknowledging a common ancestoral background removes the arguments for racism as those arguments become invalid.

Answer 6

I always thought I came from Wales... By the way I always think black people are more racist than white people, in some cases at least. I feel there are a lot of double standards for people of different ethnicity, and this helps fuel racism. Not that I care about dumb porch monkeys though. Thumbs down?

EDIT: Also, I find the fact you singled out Caucasians as being racist, racist.

Answer 7

Yes racism is a problem. Ignorence is a problem period. In a way don't we all contribue to it? Bad and good. Even though your not racist can you promise you've never done or said anything racist? After all your last statment could be considered racist in some way. "Africans are just people, like us". Us who? Doesn't that make them part of the us?
To me people are people. I don't judge someone by the color of their skin. But I can't promise that I've never made a racist comment in my life. I probably have. Some people are racist and it's obvious. Even though it's obvious they will try to cover it up to be PC. Then there are people who are racist and don't mean to be. Maybe not even realizing that the things they say are racist. After all it is about ignorence. We all have ignorence in some form. However it's if we choose to address it that's important. I choose to address it. I can be ignorent and I don't want to be so I will do my best to not do or say anything that could be considered so. So I will stop it in myself and I will address it in others.

Answer 8

Maybe you could drop your prejudice for just long enough to realize not everybody is racist especially when you stereotype
Caucasians is the same thing you complain about . The hatred
generated by this kind of innocent plea is unbelievable .Stop trying to be articulate when you are not and maybe you can do something other than running it into the dirt without knowing better. Caucasian countries have their fair share of suffering too and then when billions of dollars go to the poor their own people steal it and hold us up as evil and terrorize our people and our young men die for these ungracious prejudiced ignorant backward excuses of humanity tell me about racial they are the worse and still asking for our blood , wise up !
hope you learn

Answer 9

You are equating tribal affinity with racism. Tribal affinity is the associating and relating to people most like yourself. That is how communities and groups are built. It can be said that Black communities are more inherently racist since whites are nearly nowhere in sight. If you apply the same faulty logic then you would expect for blacks to have 5 white friends for every black friend they have just to not appear to be racist.

Answer 10

The question seemed more like your own personal opinions to be honest. However, ignorance of racism is not exclusive to "white" people, as you may feel. Everybody, regardless of the color of thier skin, is capable of such levels of ignorance.