Do you find this to be racist (not slander)?

Question

According to a University of Minnesota study, 77% of white Americans believe "their race has a distinct culture that should be preserved."

Do you think that is racist to say? I personally dont. I am white, and I have a culture. Why wouldn't I? Becasue I am a majority. Does that mean that Chinese people don't have a culture because that is the largest populatyion of people. I think that it should be pererved in ths fact that traditions should be passed down, but I am not by any means aginst interracial relations. I think that all cultures have pros and cons, just like the white culture does.

Do you think it is better for it to be viewed as an white ethinic culture. For exsample, people with Swedish backrounds wont havethe same traditions as an Irish BAckround or a Russian Backround. I personally think it is better this way. I think it is hard to identfy with these though, becuase many white poeple in American are of mixed ethnicities.

I know that I am not a racist, I just want to know what peopel thougjht on that study.

I am not going to walk down the street with a sign that says "white pride".

I understand "bkack pride" from Arican-Americans born from slave ansestors, becuase they might not know what country theya re from. I think it is a bit weird for someone who does know their African country of orgin (say someone whos parents are from Kenya) becuase then they are talking about a whole race, which is differnt.

Would it be ok to wear a shirt that says somthing like :"Swiis Oride" and "Ukranian Pride".

I am not really sure what my question is , I just want peoples thought on this.

Answer 1

Not racist, but not accurate either. There is no such thing as a distinct white American culture. There may be some small sub-cultures that are overwhelmingly white, but the vast majority of white Americans don't share that culture.

The vast majority of Americans - regardless of race - share a very powerful American culture. American culture (made up of our language, core values, music, food, humor and common understandings - good and bad) is the result of a mix of influences of all the different people that have contributed to America. And what is commonly referred to as black culture in America is really 90+% southern American/Christian/protestant culture and perhaps 10% new cultural innovations (such as rap music and new words and expressions) that originate in largely segregated black communities and move out to the larger culture. There once were strong regional and ethnic variations to American culture, but the pervasive influence of the media swiftly transmits anything new and interesting not just to the rest of the country, but to the rest of the world. As a result, American culture has become amazingly homogeneous throughout the country.

Also, white Americans are no more "a race" than black Americans are. They're a subgroup of a nationality and whites in America are far more culturally similar to black Americas than they are to members of "their race" in Europe..

Answer 2

First off, I would like to commend you in stating your question in a fashion that does not emit racism or an ignorant controversy. I am an African American male and of course I have been approached on many occasions by certain groups and organizations that feel as if I should do more to educate myself on my heritage and culture. As a matter of fact, everywhere you look you are able to see many Black advocates that promote Black culture and customs. I've always wondered why White people did not do the same. Besides the extremists such as KKK and White Supremacists, White people really do not publicly connect to their heritage as I think they should and I think it is because they are actually becoming shy and afraid to do so because they fear being labeled as racist. Regardless if Whites are the majority race in the U.S. or any other part of the world, they should still be able to celebrate their roots, and this goes for Irish, Swedish, or any other White race. If they do not, then believe it or not, the pride in their race will begin to diminish before long. I absolutely agree with you on not taking the University of Minnesota study results as racist.

Answer 3

Hooray for people who can think deeply!

I, for one, think that the word, racism should be viewed with an expanded definition. Even racial profiling is not all evil. An example would be when you choose a mate. I personally like very light skinned Mediterranean men with black hair; and basically find blonds and darker skinned men less attractive. That is a form of racial profiling. But it is harmless.

Racism, I would imagine, does not have to go hand-in-hand with ill will. An example is Black Pride. As long as it doesn't entail hating another racial group as is happening here in NYC. Did you hear that Black community leaders are calling for a boycott of White-owned stores? That is purely racial hatred and has no logical reason behind it. Does that mean that non-Blacks should boycott Black-owned stores? Or that we should demand that the Blacks go to the back of the bus?

Trying to preserve one's culture can only work up to a point. Culture, to a great extent, is the bi-product of environment and will change as the environment changes.
But do understand that the ideas you are wrestling with are immense and very convoluted.

Take note, also, that the US is the only nation in the history of the world that has developed into a very large civilization in spite of the fact that cultural diversity has been maintained among all the sub-cultures. Interesting, eh?

Answer 4

No, it's not racist. I think people should be not just allowed but encouraged to preserve their traditions and identity.

To be honest, however, I'm not sure I understand what people mean by a white ethnic culture. Mexican-American culture, I understand. Southern U.S. culture, I understand. Italian-American culture, I understand. I'm white, but I don't see that I have any particular culture in common with just the white people in this country and with all the white people in this country.

What are the basic traditions and beliefs of white culture in the U.S.? The celebration of Christmas? That's Christian culture. A tendency towards materialism? That's capitalist culture. A love for NASCAR and beer? That's redneck culture. A penchant for hamburgers and fries? That applies to people of color, as well. I just don't get it when people talk about "white culture" unless they mean "white skinhead culture." The only coherent definition we can apply to "white culture" is a negative one; that is, it is defined as anything and everything that is not black. And if you ask me, that's not a culture, it's a political stance, and a hateful one at that.

On the other hand, if white people want to embrace their European, Celtic, or Anglo-Saxon roots, that's another thing. Why not have a Celtic Club and learn about the traditions of ancient Celts and their influence upon both the ancient and modern world? Why not study the Normans, their connection to England and France, and their influence over the English language? Those are real cultures with real traditions. White culture is not.

As for Oobily Ghepp's statement that the US is the only large civilization still in existence with distinct sub-cultures, that's nonsense! Ask the Chinese whether they have distinct tribes or sub-cultures, and their answer will be a definite yes! Ask the heavily populated sub-continent of India, and they'll tell you that not only do they have dozens of distinct cultures, but distinct languages as well. American cultural diversity is not unique. Many countries manage to be diverse and yet united in this world.

Answer 5

It's not racist, but a non-white may likely think so. For as long as I can remember, I've heard junk about preserving cultures and how important it is to remember your past. There are Chinese only, Puerto Rican only, Black only German only, Russian only, Korean only, etc. groups in the U.S. Try getting a White only group off the ground and you'll be taken into court so fast your head will spin. It seems that while every other race and culture can have it's exclusivity, the white people are the only ones who always have to include someone other than the all white individuals trying to have their own exclusive group.

That's not racist, bigoted,or bias ... it's a fact!

Answer 6

If it were worded differently, yes it could sound racist...but this doesn't. I think all groups of people can relate and say they want to preserve their culture. Generally though, there is no uniform white culture because a lot of people are considered white so it can vary a lot (American, Italian, British, etc.---each totally different). But it really depends how they go about preserving...for example...getting angry over the illegal immigration. It is illegal...but to restrict one area from a better life is totally racist...America is made up of people from everywhere, and to all of a sudden take notice of it after so long is strange because we are only looking at one country (Mexico). This statement really reminds me of the border issue. Being half white and Iranian I could see why the thing about whites preserving their culture would piss people off because American whites...don't really have much culture. They are mostly disconnected from their roots.

Answer 7

Why shouldn't it be preserved? We white people have a beautiful culture that's definitely contributed positively to the world. Why want to lose it? Every single culture is interesting in some way. It gives the world character. Like been able to fly to another part of the world and see things there. This is also why I'm against this "Rainbow Family" idea. Stick to your own when it comes to breeding.

Answer 8

No this is not racist or slander. I beat if you took 77%of any race, or culture, they all would believe that: THEIR RACE HAS A DISTINCT CULTURE THAT SHOULD BE PRESERVED. NONE OF US ARE BETTER THAN ANOTHER. That is the problem. Everyone is better than the one next to them. Well if you're so much better, why is the world so messed up? We are a mess because no one truly learned how to play well with others.

Answer 9

Sitboy, you ARE making a racist comment. If you want to preserve your culture, thats fine but you can't say....................."For exsample, people with Swedish backrounds wont havethe same traditions as an Irish BAckround or a Russian Backround. I personally think it is better this way. I think it is hard to identfy with these though, becuase many white poeple in American are of mixed ethnicities"...................... That is a contradiction! Is it a Culture issue or is it a Skin color issue that you would like to preserve? You can't compare White Americans to the Chinese for the reasons that you stated........."I think it is hard to identfy with these though, becuase many white poeple in American are of mixed ethnicities.........." We are all One Blood One Race. Accept and Get Over it.


Also To MadDog. Having a White only group would be wrong. You can't name specific groups then name a broad group. If a campus wants to have a German group, Irish Group, Scottish group, Swedish Group, fine, I think thats great. But that goes along with Culture. Meaning that if there is a Black German, he could join the German group with out any issues. Who would be able to join your White group? Anyone?

Answer 10

What if the statement was: "77% of Hispanic Americans believe "their race has a distinct culture that should be preserved."

Or

77% of Italian Americans believe "their race has a distinct culture that should be preserved."

Or

77% of Asian Americans believe "their race has a distinct culture that should be preserved."



I'm white and I'm proud of it. Just like I would expect any other ethnic group to be proud of their heritage. Its not that I'm better than anybody else, but we need to have pride in who we are.