Here's question to ponder........?

Question

Minorities can say, or do whatever they want about another race, but when Whites say it, they are racists. Tell me who the racists are here.

Answer 1

Probably you.

Answer 2

Racism is the disenfranchisement of a person based on cultural differences.

For the first 170 years or so, America was controlled by white men. It wasn't until the 1950's that Black Americans began to exert what little power they had to attempt equal rights. While the South had Jim Crow laws and legal segregation, the North kept black people in a state of economic slavery, denning education, employment, housing, and other opportunities.

As Americans began embracing equality in the 1970's and 80's a sensitivity to race was developed. This sensitivity makes whites uncomfortable making statements about race. Minorities are still searching for ways to empower themselves and protect their rights. When white people make racist statements, minorities feel the fear and anger with the long repression their people have experienced and get angry.

Minorities can not do or say whatever they like. Every American is bound by the same laws. We are all held accountable to social norms.

Another way to look at it is this:
You and your friends can joke around and rip on each other. No one's feelings get hurt because you all stay within the spirit of friendship. If an outsider came up and started ripping on you, your friends would defend you. It is the same with race. What is acceptable within a group does not necessarily transfer to other groups.

Answer 3

It may help to begin with some real definitions:

racism –noun
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
Origin: 1865–70; < F racisme.

Then there is the on going debate of whether racism is a social construct or genetic reality? In this dialog many scholars maintain race to be a social construct with potent social and political effects but no basis in biological science. Scholars such as anthropologist Audrey Smedley (2007) point out that the very idea of 'race' implies inequality and hierarchy. It has also been claimed that biologically there are no scientific classifications that delineate human groups into 'races' (Graves 2004). Historians such as Theodore Allen (1994; 1997) have analyzed colonial records from Virginia and concluded that the idea of a "white race" was originally invented in the early 18th century to splice together various European ethnic groups who never before thought they had anything in common. Noel Ignatiev (1995) has written an historical analysis of how the Irish became members of the "white race" in the 19th century. Smedley and Smedley (2005: 16) state"The consensus among most scholars in fields such as evolutionary biology, anthropology, and other disciplines is that racial distinctions fail on three counts--that is, they are not genetically discrete, are not reliably measured, and are not scientifically meaningful."

That said, it is my experience that racist exist in all groups of people. It seems to matter little whether a particular group has been the focus of long term disrespect or the receiver of extraordinary benefits. That such is clearly a non-biological based assessment should be obvious to any one. That such personal opinions are detrimental to the whole of the species should also be clear to any one. At the same time, any attempt to rationally discuss (or even bring up) the subject is met in today’s culture with immediate derogatory assertions directed toward the individual who wishes to discuss it.

All we have to do is look at both the question here as well as many of the answers. This is a hesitance (at best) to address this question as if it were any other subject. Until we (as a species) address ‘any’ subject solely on its merits without regard to any preconceived concepts this issue will continue to act as a dam to free expression.

Answer 4

It is a double standard. All races are racist but only whites are accused and punished for it.

Answer 5

The word racist mostly only applies to white people. I have never heard of a non white being charged with racism. If you think about it actually the white people now are the minority with all the immigration and all.

Answer 6

Great answer Deep Thought.

Answer 7

I'm not a racist....I hate everybody equally!! That especially means YOU!

Answer 8

The person who complains that they can't say racist things without getting into trouble

Answer 9

Not touching this one with a ten foot pole brother.
But just to show you how I feel about the subject.
You get starred.

Answer 10

In reality most black and hispanics tend to be racist or atleast lean that way where white people are concerned

Answer 11

Can't people just be stupid without being racists? Stupidity is a color-blind quality, I've observed.