If a racist uses blanket statements to classify a race...?

Question

Then wouldn't their assumptions be tossed out by just one person of that race living differently. If a racist says that all immigrants are illegals, would that not be disproven by the ones that are citizens. If all Romani were considered to be thieves by racists. Wouldn't one Romani that lived a life of philantropy dispel that stereotype? Any type of blanket statement with any race really. So, if their theories are disproven daily, how can they continue to use blanket statements to justify thier hate of a race. If they persisted in making the blanket statement although it has been disproven; wouldn't that be living a lie? What are your opinions?

**I always and forever ignore racist responses**

Globalle, you make very interesting points. Here is where we disagree. Here is the difference. Asians have been shown to be statistically shorter than caucasions., All Asians are short. The difference is the second one is a blanket statement. The fact of the matter is just because over 50% of Asians(making it a majority) are shorter than over 50% of caucasians does not mean that all are that way. This is the problem with racists, they take a percentage of a race (sometimes a small percentage) and make it apply to the entire race. For example, one racist said that black women all have babies out of wedlock. I responded that I was married and pregnant and disproved his hypothesis. He cussed and asked a similiar question although his "ideas" of black women had been obviously disproven.

Answer 1

EXCELLENT QUESTION, 2fine4u! I understand exactly what you are saying. Indeed, common sense dictates that, if someone doesn't "fit the mold" of what is thought to be true of all people within a particular group, it should be concluded that, obviously, the stereotypes are just that- stereotypes.

But here's the problem:

Many racists (and other prejudiced people) are so convinced that what they believe is fact (and many are so determined to hate) that they rationalize their beliefs by any explanation necessary. I'll give an example to illustrate my point:

One of my aunts is extremely prejudiced. She is racist, homophobic, sexist.... You name it, she's it.
She was evicted a few years ago and went to live with my grandmother, who lives in a majority-black neighborhood, for a while until she found a new place. So she had the chance to get to know a few of my grandmother's black friends- very polite, respectful, educated black women who provide for their families and are a joy to be around for more reasons than I have time to say. And my aunt agrees that they are very nice and that they are, as she says, "being assets to society". But this has not changed her attitude. Here is one of the comments that she has made: "Yea, they're good black people. But they're still black. They're good because they chose to fight their blackness." I'm sure you understand what she meant by that statement, but I will clarify for those who may not understand....

My aunt thinks that "black" is similar to mental illnesses- something that has to be "overcome". (She thinks the same about all others whom she stereotypes.) She has convinced herself that black people are inherently rude, loud, lazy, liars, schemers, etc..., but that these "unfortunate predetermined characteristics" can be "beaten" by the select few who seek therapy and/or live by the "positive example of white people".
I'm sure you can imagine what I've had to experience with her. I will no longer have anything to do with her. She went as far as to say that my husband is not to be trusted alone with her teenage daughter, because, since he's black, his "nature might get the best of him". HOW SICK! I'm sure you can also imagine how confused my little cousin is.

Anyway, my point is that prejudice does not adhere to common sense or the obvious. Unfortunately, we are dealing with several people who are determined to cling to their ridiculous beliefs regardless of what facts are presented to them and even regardless of what they observe for themselves. I am convinced that there are some prejudiced people who are ignorant and need only to be educated and shown that they have been taught misinformation. But, regrettably, there are those who are lost to us- those who are going to hold steadfast onto the falsehoods that are fixated in their minds. And they will continue to embrace those falsehoods regardless of all logic, regardless of the obvious, regardless of what is staring them right in their faces.

Thank you for asking this question. I don't always agree with your posts, but you are such a jewel. You have chosen to speak out against one of the many cancers in this world. Everything you say matters and makes an impact. Thank you so much!

Answer 2

Well, if you've deemed someone to be racist, the question is apparently then irrelevant in your mind ("I always and forever ignore racist responses"). But I digress. The answer to your question is both yes and no. For true racists, their assumptions are indeed tossed out because rationale was never in their mind in the first place -- only the emotionalized characterization of an entire group for the purpose of injuring that group and raising themselves. But here's where things get sticky: what happens when certain qualities of a group CAN be factually and scientifically measured? For example, what if I was to tell you that Asian people are, in general, shorter than Caucasian or African people? Indeed, censuses have been taken and statistically have proven that Asians are, on average, shorter than either Caucasians or Africans. Is it racist to point this out? Not at all...but the media seems bound and determined to call anyone who would do such a thing "racist." Real racists would use this statistic to argue that "See, Asians are inferior!" but that is wrong because it is falsely equating shorter height with inferiority and also attempting to convince the reader that ALL Asians are short. The study says no such thing -- just that Asians are shorter ON AVERAGE, not all Asians are shorter than all Caucasians, or all Africans! The existence of Yao Ming for instance, neither proves that Asians are the tallest people in the world nor does it disprove that Asians are *on average* shorter than Caucasians and Africans...and it obviously says nothing pro or con about inferiority or superiority, it's just neutral fact.

Answer 3

though their statements are disproven every second of everyday, you must understand that a racist is a person who will believe in the stereotypes with which they are comfortable no matter what. the stronger their feelings the more racist they are. i'm ashamed to admit it, but when i read your query, i thought of all the stereotypes my parents have held. would i consider them to be racist? NOT REALLY, but yes, they do have prejudices/stereotypes to which, i have time and again, given countless counter-examples which they seem to struggle to accept. they have no hostility toward anybody, but they have made remarks which would be considered ignorant and somewhat disparaging. and it's not their fault that they had those beliefs in the first place; they grew up with them (unfortunately they didn't think twice about what beliefs they acquired) and some of their friends have those beliefs too. but, as much as it pains me to say this, in my mind, it IS their fault if they continue to have those beliefs because it means that they aren't even trying to correct their way of thinking.

someone who is truly a racist is a person who will hold onto their negative image of a group/culture/religion, etc. because they feel threatened by them for no good reason. even if you give them a hundred examples of proof countering their belief, they will revert back to their hostility toward them. they have a very negative or hostile attitude toward any member of their targetted group and educate their offspring to think like them and blatantly discourage any display of acceptance. it is a sad situation, but unless these people find themselves in a situation (usually and unfortunately adverse) where they experience first-hand the generosity or good-will of a person from their targetted group, they don't seem to learn to let go of their stereotype(s).

Answer 4

I have found that racist statements usually say much more about the racist than they do about the maligned group...who ever that group may be.

A racist person can seldom, if ever "justify" a reason for hatred. It would be an impossible position to defend, and they are seldom pushed into defending their position in any way other than including another person or group into their world of hate.

Answer 5

It would have been so simple when the legislature enacted the the anti-discrimination laws had they some sense, the job application would have one square to fill out if you are human check yes. there is one major race the human race and that could well be the answer to start ended the confusion and allow each individual human being to stand on their own merits as an individual with inalienable rights

Answer 6

Well, you're really talking about prejudices, and yes it's prejudice to do such things.. On a side note.. there is no such thing as "race". "Race" is just a imaginary and faulty further categorization of humans. Our race is humanity, in that we have different cultures. Cultures do only define how we act but it is learned and adaptive not definitive.

Answer 7

Well unfortunately people holding to such beliefs don't care about such proof. The statements are not even given as facts simply emotions.

Answer 8

Lol, you make a perfect obversation