Sorry if I'm generalizing here, but why are White people so intolerant of difference?

Question

It seems throughout history, that the Caucasian race as a whole is not very accepting of people that are different from them as far as skin color and cultural background. Why? Why do White people feel superior just because of their phenotypes (what the genes LOOK like).

Answer 1

Actually you are historically incorrect. Caucasian, northern european types have typically been open of difference and accepted the variations in to their societies. If you look at many tribal African segments in the sub-Saharan regions, you will find much deference to change or mixture of cultures. The Asian, pacific rim regions are even worse, with cultures such as the Chinese and Japanese even going so far as to outlaw foreigners from becomiing citizens. And even in the middle eastern world, there are still some cutlures that will behead you for marring outside of your ethnic locale.

Do your homework next time.

Answer 2

As a Christian I have been asking the same question for a long time now. We are told not to judge others, but it seems like that's all a lot of Christians, especially on this site, are overly judgmental. I am not racist, I hate everybody equally. I have african americans in my family, and hispanics, but I'm whiter than most people (being of Irish decent). In my bible it says that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God. If that's what it says, then that's the way it is. It's not for me to judge them in advance. I have many homosexual friends, and I don't treat them any differently than my straight friends. I just personally choose not to enter into a homosexual relationship. I like how diverse our world is when it comes to religion. Can you imagine everyone in the world believing the same thing?! How boring! A lot of the world's religions are very similar, and who's to say that one is right while the others are wrong? Who really knows? No one does, its all a matter of personal choice and faith. I love that the world is capable of housing so many different ideals and thoughts and peoples. I agree with you that too many people of religious belief are intolerant of difference or change. Think about this you judgmental Christians, our Jesus was a Jew. Why aren't you?! Do you hold Him at a lower place in the world because he was Jewish? Do you think of Him differently because He was a Jew? What if He had been Muslim or Catholic or Buddhist?

Answer 3

I am a white person, and I have no problem with people who have different colored skin, but there is a large amount of people in a certain race that feel that they don't have to be accountable for their actions, and are always looking for handouts instead of working hard to better themselves. By the way, If I had asked the same question as you about black people, I would get a violation notice from Yahoo.

Answer 4

why are you so intolerant of white people. it is hard to be victim. that is why you generalize white people. many white nations make up some of the most diverse populations consisting of all races. whites feel they have contributed alot to the world such as the car, airplane, harnessed electricity, computer and much much more. it is hard for people who are not white because they are so ingrained in white culture. i hope you don't believe people of darker skin tones are morally superior those of a much lighter complexion. people are all the same. white people have the majority of control over the most basic of institutions. people must refer to history for wisdom. race is the first thing that will be looked at. that is both sides. white just have the power. you are not sorry because you are generalizing. you must stop the hate. if you have a problem with racism then get your end perfect and come back and we can type some more. you are a racist you think all white people are hateful and ignorant. can somebody please say hypocrite. thank you. please don't complain about something you contribute to. please take this with you i love you you are all my brothers and sisters be healthy live and love.

Answer 5

That is a very good question. I'm white, so I think I'm qualified to take a shot at this one.
You are generalizing, but you are also partly correct. And it's not just people of different races. Remember, it hasn't even been 100 years since women had rights of their own.
I think it is this. I don't mean offense, but the white man did indeed pioneer civilization as we know it, and maybe it is a deep-seated fear that their version of civilization will crumble if they don't work to keep up their ideal of it. Personally, I think white man's idea of "civilization" is short-sighted and will be our demise.

On that note, you must also admit that people of different races are quick to play the 'race card'. I know many whites who give to ethnic charities such as the ***** College Fund, or Native American Charities, etc, but I do not know of one person who is NOT white that supports any charities or agendas that do not pertain to his/her race.

There will always be people who are intolerant. However, I have noticed that whatever the race, be it black, hispanic, or other, prefer, for some reason, to stand apart, and for that reason, whites cannot be solely to blame for their exclusion, because as a race (whatever that may be) you have chosen to exclude yourselves by only supporting your own agenda. A good example would be a hispanic politician running for office in Los Angeles. He caters to the "hispanic vote" he promises to protect illegal immigrants, and almost his entire platform is designed to get the hispanic vote. So you tell me, why would we not feel threatened by this? Why would we elect someone who's interests do not reflect society as a whole?

Honey, it's not just white people. It's not the color of the skin, but how much money in the pocket. Even though I'm white, I've been judged and discriminated against because of my gender, how I dress, my socioeconomic status, whatever it is that doesn't fit their ideal. I've been discriminated against by blacks and hispanics. I've suffered rudeness and intolerance by other ethnic groups because I am white. Simply because somewhere a distant 3rd cousin twice removed owned a slave hundreds of years ago. And I am treated badly because of it, even though I have never been predjudice in my life.

Intolerance is universal. Being an American is to be tolerant of the intolerance and to make changes by starting with ourselves.

Good question, hope you got some insightful answers!

Answer 6

I use to be a mormon and they are very racist, so coming from that background I considered myself quite open to the black race. To my surprise, I go into the Army and for a time have very good relationships with black people and black superiors until my whole unit is basically black. I am a minority and so are some hispanics in my unit. I am told that they discriminate against white women and would never dream of dating a white women. My 1SGT who is Asia/white also has a taste for black women. I learned what it was like to be discriminated against. I do not think it is just a black issue, if you get a bunch of black people together and a white person is the minority, then the roles will be reversed. Prejudism goes both ways. HOWEVER, I do think that it is differant for black people now and understand were they are coming from, I do not know what to do about it and only know that I myself can just treat them as if they were white.

Answer 7

Perhaps because many of them have never come into contact with people of other races and once they do, they don't quite know what to think of them besides what they were told and what they see on television.

Whites moving from neighborhoods when too many blacks move in is a prime example of whites being intolerant of differences. The same with schools.

Answer 8

hmmm, did you know that like is attracted to like? perhaps that holds the clue. it has been shown that certain cultures gravitate towards there own. I'm pretty sure everyone experienced this in high school cliches. also maybe it isn't a superiority thing it could be pride in their heritage, i notice that where as other races get to be free with their heritage like Black pride, Latino pride, Mexican pride to name a few when you hear white pride people shudder or find it inappropriate. Caucasian is also a very broad term encompassing but not limited to British, Nordic, Swedish, and too many others to name so you have to single out whom you are referring to. are we talking solely Americans cause if you live here and were born here you are one. are referencing the British a vast majority of them are white? and last question for you do you feel inferior because of your color? hmmm good question at least you made me think.

Answer 9

I've been waiting for this question to be asked. People assume I'm white because I have light skin, but I am a Native American. I have two children by a Spaniard, so genetically my children are Mestizo, the same race as Latin Americans without actually having a history in Latin America.

Wanna talk racism? We were called savages because we were different from the Europeans. We were forced out of our homes. And one Fourth of July, I sat through a patriotic display at a church I no longer attend, where they had the nerve to say that it was a miracle from God that the "savages" were so welcoming. And we get repaid for our hospitality the way we were? Later on in the pageant, that church depicted the raising of the flag over Iwo Jima. Nobody mentioned that one of the Marines raising it high was Ira Hayes, a Native American who later drank himself to death because he came home and discovered that he hadn't done his own people a lick of good.

Some history books still talk about the US being founded on a "previously unoccupied" continent. Yeah. "Previously unoccupied?" What were my ancestors? Invisible?

Answer 10

I agree with you. Why Europeans act this way is quite simple. I have learned that when I meet someone that is very very arrogant or intolerant they are hiding something from their past. When Europeans came down out of the mountains they began to learn from other people that were more advanced than them. After years of learning the European found that they lacked the ability to compete with others from different cultures on a balanced playing field. Learning subjects like science taught the European that they were/are genetically recessive. They saw with their own eyes that other cultures were physically bigger than them, and more intelligent than them. The only way for the European to gain any type of reputation was to .....well.....just read European history and you will see for yourself what they did to gain power. Can you imagine finding out that you will never be as powerful and as great as anyone else that came before you? Can you imagine how you would feel? And to this day Europeans seek to make everyone else look bad, and they, for the most part, raise themselves up high like they have done no wrong. Like calling other cultures TERROIST. What did Europeans do to assimilate people? In order for Europeans to make a name for themselves they had to use FEAR as a tactic to gain control of the masses. No one would have ever followed the European because of pure respect.
Now I know not all Europeans are intolerant, and evil, but most all the ones I have met are not good people. And I just hate it when you come across some stupid racist that will say dumb stuff like: well black people kill each other with guns, and black women just have babies and their lazy. Black men beat their women and blacks are just lazy all together. What dumb mind would say something like this if they themselves weren't wanting to be like that which they talk bad about? First of all, those statements are not true. Hell, does it take a rocket scientist to see that if blacks were lazy then America wouldn't have gotten built. If blacks were so lazy there wouldn't be any football, basketball, and all the other sports blacks dominate. The sports that we are allowed to play. If blacks were so UN-civilized how did black people have some of the most greatest empires on earth. And don't get it twisted, like most people have been led astray...the true Egyptians are and will always be black. Just as Babel, and Sumeria. Whites(Europeans) feel superior because they have a secret to tell. As the saying goes......everything comes out in the wash. And the time is growing near.

Answer 11

It all has to do with the way we are brought up. Predjudice is a learned thing that usually starts from the time you are a kid. I think we as a race are getting better though. In time all will be equal. You can see that just by the amount of mixed marriages now, interracial children, and black folk succeeding in the arts and other areas that they never would before.