around me because I speak mandarin and some of my best friends are chinese....But what I can not figure out (and this applies on many levels - black, white, gay, straight,...etc) is how can a person such as a gay person turn around and be prejudiced against anyone when they know what it's like?
I see it all the time. It's sort of like the same thing as when I worked in customer service...I would see fellow workers treating others in exactly the same rude way that people treated them. They of all people should know better.
2007-03-09 16:00:05 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
That is a great question. Some gay guys are even prejudice against lesbians and vice versa. I think it is sad to say the least, but I feel that it is human nature to be prejudice against some other group to try and feel better about the prejudice against them. Does that make sense? It takes the focus off of them and puts it on someone else. How their family and friends feel about different people and groups also has a big influence on peoples prejudices.
2007-03-09 16:11:04 · answer #1 · answered by Jay S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Ben,
I think this happens because these folks feel bad about being discriminated against that they take it out on other groups. This isn't true of all people of course, but I think it's definitely a possibility.
Here's my experience with this. When I was growing up, I was teased by black children in my school and neighborhood (yes, racial teasing.) I was never teased by the white kids (not that they were angels or anything). It really hurt, but when I got older, I felt that maybe they did it because these kids certainly didn't have it good in our town. Most of them grew up in poverty and were treated very badly by the whites in town. Now that's not an excuse to be ugly to others or to not make lemonade from lemons, but the parents of these kids did have a choice to teach their kids to rise above racism. Unfortunately, they did not, and they taught their kids to pick on someone else, perhaps as a way to deal with their own misfortunes.
I'm certainly not defending this behavior regardless what financial/social situation people are in. I'm still bothered sometimes by my school memories. I just wanted to share what I went through in case it helps you to understand.
Now here's the short answer :-) Some people who are discriminated against AND discriminate others simply do it because they are ignorant and don't know better. We all do things that are contradictory and make no sense. It could be just that.
2007-03-09 16:41:09 · answer #2 · answered by Opal 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
What do you mean by openly prejudiced?
Are you sure they're simply not attracted to Chinese men?
Are you sure they're only rude to the Chinese?
It does seem counter-intuitive that people who are discriminated against would discriminate against others, but I'm sure that certain gays are not the only ones who are guilty of such behavior.
2007-03-09 16:10:32 · answer #3 · answered by magistra_linguae 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone has the ability to be prejudice. Look at the very Chinese defending. I lived in China for two years, and I don't think they like anybody. They hate Africans, South Asians, Japanese, Americans, Muslims, homosexuals....
You could very well counter that not all Chinese are like that, but I'm sure not all your gay friends are like that either.
2007-03-09 16:16:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am very close with many in the chinese community and am well respected. I have always found that a smile goes a long way. If I don't one how could I get one?
2007-03-09 16:35:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all gay men are blessed with an inate sense of empathy.
Some choose to let the experience of being harassed, abused for being homosexual embitter them.
There is no law that says you HAVE to be understanding.
I am not bound by law to be anyone's *friend*.
2007-03-09 16:18:13 · answer #6 · answered by Just Ask Ashley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people view themselves through the lens that others view them through.
Although they realize that they are viewed by others unjust perceptions, it does not necessarily cause them to cease viewing others with unjust perceptions as well.
It is human nature to look down on another in order to give oneself more self esteem by saying "I may be ___ , but at least I am not ___". A defense mechanism will tell them that is not the same, and they will fail to realize that they are applying a standard to another person or group of persons that are being applied to themselves as well.
2007-03-09 16:28:27 · answer #7 · answered by χριστοφορος ▽ 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
There are blacks who are racist against latinos.
Like the guy above me said... there are gay republicans.
There are christian liberals.
Most people are hypocrites. That is the only answer I can come up with.
2007-03-09 16:12:36 · answer #8 · answered by Bow down to me 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
whats the question? Are some gay people jackasses too? Sure they are.
Hell, last i checked there were even gay republicans.. I still dont quite get that one.
2007-03-09 16:03:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
In general, people are stupid.
People like you and me, must be in a very small percentage... this world doesn't make sense, mostly...
2007-03-09 17:38:16 · answer #10 · answered by Love Gays! 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋