What defines racism?

Question

I don't class myself as racist as I don't hate people based on their colour or religion but on what they contribute to the country they live in and what they expect back in return and with this have an issue with anyone disrespecting Britain ie, junkies, dole-dossers, illegal immigrants etc.
I was attacked by a chinese guy (I'm female) for bumping into him in a bar, there were several witnesses who all gave statements in my defence and the guy he was with refused to back him as he said that he was in the wrong so why was it that the police refused to charge him as he had accused me of racially abusing him? I didn't speak a word to this guy I just accidentally pushed past him in a bar and came out of it with a mangled face and ligament damage to my knees.
We need to stop making so much of an issue out of the colour of people skin and focus on the bigger picture, people cannot continue to hide behind their race and must face the same expectations as everyone else in the country.

Answer 1

Racism is when all these people that think they are done wrong by (because they are from a different race), think that just because your not of their race that they have to lash out against you... it happens every day but we try not to see it, maybe that is the problem with society today...

Answer 2

My view is that of a black person of African descent...
Racism is thought of as calling somebody a nasty name or saying something about thier colour, but its not that simple.

On the surface it may seem to be just words and in a perfect world that's what it will be and it won't matter. However, people of colour, particularly black people, have been systematically discriminated against at all levels and in all areas of life. They have been pigeon holed and limits have been set on what can be expected from them, what they should look like, how they should behave and speak etc. Racism is not just about calling someone a nasty name, its about making a judgement about what (not who) a person is, expecting nothing more than a set limit (e.g. you're black so automatically you're a mugger, not great at books but good in sports, you must like hip-hop, you don't mind being called the n-word etc), AND going out of your way to make sure that this image is maintained, e.g. if you don't give someone a highly responsible job because s/he doesn't "look the part", or you express surprise that Africans now use broadband at home.

Another element of racism is that all members of a particular are all the same, every black person is considered to be no different from each other. there is no individual, because according to racist ideology: the members of this race don't have the capacity to think for themselves and all actions are predictable, just like cattle, besides they are less than human anyway. So with this in mind, any insult said against say a black person, when said by a racist is not aimed at just that individual, but at EVERY single member of his/her race.

Yes yes I know racism has been spoken against time and time again, but its legacy never goes away, indeed it still exists even though its much more subtle. Black people in this kind of environment, are aware of this all too well and understandably though not always justified, I believe, can get defensive and even angry. It will probably end when theres enough trust. I hope that this answers your question.

Answer 3

i personally hate racism i beleive everyone is different and we are each capable of great good given the chance therefore we must all live and let live, anyway what i cannot get my head round with british (i am one), is that you accidentaly knocked this guy so you were the racist because he was of a different race than yourself, but because he attacked you he got off butyou are still a different race than you why cant that be classed as racism i know you are in your home country but surely that should not matter it was still a racial attack was it not you were hurt for being the race you are?, anyway i feel as though im stirring things a bit here he was stioll a bloke he should not have hurt you and you do have grounds because even if he was defending himself the law states he is only allowed to use sufficient force anything more he can get done for,, whatever race he or you are

Answer 4

There are several definitions of racism.

The definition which I believe used to be most prevalent and which I believe is most sensible is, if there is discrimination against a person because of is/her race then that is considered racist.

Nowadays pretty much everything is considered racist by four distinct groups.

The first group are the politically correct morons who see racism around every corner. Many of these people are too stupid to think for themselves and they label things which are not racist as racist because that is the fashionable thing to do at our place and time in history. Many of these idiots are exactly the type of people who would have been extremely racist themselves in this country (UK) back in the forties and fifties because that was the fashionable thing to do then.

The second group of people who see racism around every corner are ethnic minorities who have a chip on their should because of the way they have been treated in the past. Their conduct is stupid, pointless and counter productive but very understandable.

The third group which sees racism around every corner are ethnic minorities who have learnt that they often get undeserved benefits from playing the race card.

The fourth group who see racism around every corner are official people such as politicians, policemen and employers who are always on the look out for racism because they wish to avoid it so that no complaint can be made against them. These type of people often practise reverse racism because they are too cowardly to do what it right, they prefer to cover their own backs.

The above four groups are guilty of doing immense social damage to our society. If the above four groups were to disappear overnight, then I believe that ninety five per cent of racism would disappear with them.

Answer 5

This is such an important question and so well put together but I don't know how to answer it. I have tried in the past and people have said I was a racialist and not politically correct. I repeat once more - how can the colour of my skin make any difference to you. If I wear a different coloured tee shirt will you admit me

Answer 6

no one I know classes themselves as a rascist, it just happens, from the colour of your skin to your religion, **** happens! the problem in England is the government have lost their priorities, Is it no wonder the British are emigrating, i find all of this hard to deal with. issues have gone to far the other way, and politically correct crap, baa baa black sheep !!! for goodness sake bring back ww2 at least there was a community in Britain and respect!! And I am only 38 x

Answer 7

Racism is judging another person solely on the basis of race or nationality. Perhaps the police in your situation was a friend of the guy who attacked you. At any rate you should have reported the policeman, he was unfair.

Answer 8

Your answer to my question regarding the Glaze advert makes sense now, after reading your question.
To answer your question in your reply, I don't have to be oriental to be offended. Like I stated I did not want to create controversy I simply had something on my mind that I wondered whether anyone else had thought of.

I'm very sorry to learn that you had suffered an assualt due to no fault of your own, and hope that you are ok.

Answer 9

Poor you, it is so horrible that you cannot even look at a person or like you bump into a person by accident and get beaten up. What a bastard.
I won't even go where what defines racism. My father was killed by a black person i hate him but i don't hate the rest of the black people .

Answer 10

Sorry to hear about being attacked, hope you recover. They should have arrested him for attacking you. I hate men who attack women, they're scum.