Isn't ignarance of different races/cultures, just as bad as racism?

Question

What I mean is, isn't it dumb to say that we are all the same, when we so obviously are not??? Sure we should all have the same rights and freedoms, no doubt. BUT how come when you point out the differences in people of different colors/cultures that live in America you are considered or called a rascist???? I THOUGHT RACISM WAS HATE FOR ANOTHER RACE!!!!!

Answer 1

"Racism is a belief system or doctrine which states that inherent biological differences between human races determine cultural or individual achievement — with a corollary that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.

The term racism is sometimes used to refer to preference for one's own ethnic group or heritage (ethnocentrism), fear of foreigners (xenophobia), views or preferences against mixing of the races (miscegenation), and/or a generalization of a specific group of people (stereotype)."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism

Some people use the "race card" as a means of making themselves feel superior to others.

We could all be of the same culture and have the same color skin, and you would still find prejudice against fat people, unless that is the norm, then it would be thin people. Discrimination would exist against tall people, unless the norm was tall; then the prejudice would be against short people. Blue eyes vs brown eyes. I could go on and on.

There will always be discimination of one sort or another.

Answer 2

I don't know, but I've always felt that things are much more complicated than what many say. It's almost impossible to not have any biases against groups of people. You can't live in society and not get tainted by it to a certain degree. All one can do is be aware about their feelings and initial reactions to certain groups and hopefully be aware that they are just stereotypes and never written in stone since people are individuals no matter their race or religion. It's hard to say without meeting your friend but it sounds like she either has an interesting sense of humor or some underlying issues with race whether she's aware of it or not. I know people who make fun of every race and creed including their own and they're the least racist people I know.

Answer 3

In this country, we have American of all different colors. They didn't ask to be born white or black or oriental or whatever. It doesn't make any difference what color you are. You are still an American.

Also, we have a common culture. Obviously, our cultural values are not all identical. But there are things that we have in common. These are the things that bind us together. What we have in common.

When people accentuate their differences, they create resentment. The idea that our group is special, we're different, is understood as excluding others. It's just like the cliques in high school. The is the problem with promoting "diversity". It divides people. Rather than promoting what unites us, it is calling attention to our differences. Diversity is divisive.

The media has been promoting artificial sub-cultures for decades. The purpose of these sub-cultures is to divide people. It is the old divide and conquer. remember, in unity there is strength.

We are not all the same. But we should look to stress what we all have in common. If everybody did this, racism would not be a problem.

Answer 4

The best definition of racism that I have heard is this: believing that one person is more valuable than another based on difference of race. Simply pointing out cultural differences (e.g. in that country you bow instead of shaking hands) is not racist. However, sometimes people do exaggerate or flat-out lie about cultural differences as a way of disguising racist attitudes. A lot depends on the intent with which the differences are pointed out.

Answer 5

Yes. You are right. The thing our tiny brains have a problem comprehending is that _difference is not bad_. It is simply _difference_ and must be understood and tolerated.

See Audre Lorde on this. _Zami_, "The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House."

This still does not discount the fact that white Europeans (and Americans) are historically (and currently) privileged over other races. As another Y!A user noted, people in power can be considered the most racist because they are the ones able to exclude those of other races (or marginalized groups) from important money- or policy-making jobs and positions. Because whites (see Bush, Cheney, 85% of the U.S. Legislature, 85% of Fortune 500 companies, 85% of U.S. lawyers and doctors) are in political and often economic power, they have the upper hand in deciding who comes next, and many times, rather than blacks, it is their own sons.

Answer 6

It is not racism to recognize the differences in cultures, customs, and heritage.
Too many people play the "race card" at every opportunity.
They quickly label anyone else as racist for the mere mention of differences or opinion.
Unfortunately, my own race is very guilty of such behavior.
I am often ashamed because of it.

White Americans have been the victims in this matter.
IT IS NOT A CRIME TO BE WHITE and white folks should be proud of their race and heritage just like any other group.
The white people of today are not responsible for the mistreatment of my black ancestors that occurred 200 years ago.
Black Americans need to drop it and move on.

True ignorance is labeling everyone as racist simply because they do not agree with your opinion, or because they are successful, powerful, or rich.

Calling someone a "******" is socially, politically, and morally unacceptable.
Calling someone a "racist" should be too.
It is just as ugly as the "N" word.

.

Answer 7

Racism is not only hate for another race it also includes exclusion, discrimination, etc.

Why do you need to "point out the differences" anyway? Who made you something superior to others? Instead of pointing out differences, why aren't you looking for the common bond between human beings? That is a person that is not ignorant or racist. Try that, it's much better.

Answer 8

Ignorance is the soil from which the seeds of sin are grown.
this includes racism and other forms of false witness including formal religion.
peace out

Answer 9

Only oversensitive peolpe think that pointing out differences in races is racism, or ignorant people. There are differences, that's just a fact.

Answer 10

Racism is hate for another race. Ignorance of different cultures and races is just that--ignorance. It doesn't make you racist because you don't know about every other culture and race.