At what point does 'ignorance' end and 'racism' begin?

Question

This question relates to talking about The Reality Show That Must Not Be Named Because If It Is Named Yet Again People Will Start Moaning.

I've noticed a lot of people making a distinction between 'ignorant' comments and overtly 'racist' comments that have been made on that show. I have made the same distinction myself: I don't feel that Piggy Goody is racist, just a bullying imbecile. Now, though, Ihave started wondering - where does the line between the two fall?

Actually, tarzanmacmoo, I am NOT white - not that it makes any bloody difference whatsoever.

Answer 1

When Jade first begin arguing with Shilpa at first I assumed it was ignorance and jealous issues. However when Jade and her “mean girls” crew started attacking Shilpa’s culture, calling her a dog/wolf, saying she really wanted to be white because she bleaches her skin, they all crossed the street to racist land.

Bullying is one thing, but when you begin attacking your so-called enemy culture it crosses over to racism. It’s easy to say Jade was just ignorant which maybe true, but she is a racist too. Just because someone is bi-racial, black, asian etc, doesn’t mean they cant be a racist.

You have to ask yourself, if Shilpa was white would they have said the same things (I previously quoted )? No!

Answer 2

For me the difference is that I feel sorry for someone who is ignorant and says ignorant things. When things are genuinely said because someone doesn't know that is pitiful but understandable. Racism is ignorance with venom. In 'The Show that must not be named' the 'person who cannot be named' said things which were offensive and unnecessary in a spiteful and hateful way. That is not to say it was consciously done. Which is why it has sparked so much debate. Was the hateful stuff borne of racism or personality/cultural differences which resulted in ignorant comments?

Ultimately the victim of said abuse is the final judge of whether they perceive they have been treated differently because of their cultural background or the colour of their skin.

Answer 3

The only racist people are all those who made a massive fuss out that bull show.

The only thing we should be asking is:

1. Why is yet more, lame, pointless horsesh*t being blown out of proportion again?

2. Why is it if an Indian says "John bread", "Go back to your castle", or puts on a posh english accent, its not "racism"?

3. Why is it if a WHITE person says "Prishnit Poppadom", "Go back to your shack", or puts on an Indian accent it is CALLED racism?

4. Why have all white people now been branded racists for something which happened in a drop-in-ocean sh*tty show, despite it being clear bullying as a pose to racism?

5. If what Jade did was "racist", then I cant work out the difference between stereotyping and racism.

6. If i were to stereotype a homosexual, call them "Georgios rimjaw", say "Go back to your love nest" and put on a queer voice, am i being racist?

7. Why is this pointless, ultra-menial balls even being discussed. Why dont people make a big issue out of very real issues, like global warming, or the new space age arms-race, for example?

8. Most people = blind morons. Is this a sterotype, bullying or is it racist?

Answer 4

I agree i think that she isnt a racist but i do think she is a moron. i liked her when she was out of the house with all her PR and managment to help her, but going back in the house on her own she just acts like an idiot.
She is a bully, she made others in the house feel personally victimised which is what bullying means even if it wasnt because of his/her race it is still bullying and she deserves all the hate she is getting from the public... im not saying we should beat her up (like grace) or anything just get her off my telly would be a good start!!

Answer 5

I think at the core of racism is fear, based on ignorance or the unknown in the past it was perfectly normal to fear someone who was from outside the group or tribe, as they might have posed a threat to the tribe. Hence the development of the word xenophobia ( a fear of strangers).

That fear still exists today and I believe the vast majority of racist are scared of which ever group they attack. They fear that the presence of people of different creeds and colour to them will cause the tribe to be undermined. (BNP slogan keep Britain British)

Pure ignorance, is when someone uses a derogatory word without realising that this might cause offence. They do not fear or hate foreigners but just do not realise that what they are saying can be taken as racist.

To understand if Goody was racist one should look at her intent. Did she intend to cause Shipla harm by referring to her as Miss Poppadom, or was it akin to her calling another girl from Essex Miss White stilettos?

I don't know, but seeing as she doesn't even know that East Anglia is a county in England, it probably falls in the later category.

P.S. added "y" after your spelling correction, thanks.

Answer 6

Ignorance is a lack of knowledge.

Racism is a prejudgment of someone else based on their race.

So, if someone just doesn't realize that it's insulting to call a black man "boy," it's ignorance. If they know and say it anyway, it's racism.

I have to wonder, when did we lose the idea that sticks and stones can break my bones, but names can never hurt me? The person hurling the insults is showing their immaturity. It does nothing to discredit the person on the receiving end.

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Answer 7

Ignorance ends once the individual has been properly informed that the offense has been deemed as racist. If the action continues after that then it is considered to be racist.

Answer 8

Racism is Ignorant

Answer 9

I think people overuse the term racism. Racism is you think one race is inherently superior to another. Having a dislike for another race is more akin to prejudice.

But there is no line. racism IS ignorance.

Answer 10

Intelligent persons can be racist. The two things are not connected but run parallel.