Why do people think only white british people can be racist?

Question

I read some really bizzare answers in current events today about people not being 'racist' because they themselves were not white british.

how odd?

Answer 1

Unfortunately racism is present in every race. Wherever there is ignorance towards someone because of their colour, nationality, religion there is discrimination. It doesnt matter what colour you are you should never discriminate against someone else for their's.

Answer 2

The word "racism" is rarely used properly (or at least in it's traditional context). Traditionally, racism involves an element of control/power so your boss (whatever the race) could be racist against you or a government could be racist, if there is one white person a town populated entirely by ethnic Indians and the whole town bans together to give the white person a hard time, that would be racist, etc.

People, traditionally speaking, are prejudiced not racist, as most people you know have no control/power over you and, as such, their opinions really don't signify at the end of day. Traditionally, whites have had all of the power so it is a long held belief that whites are the only people who can be racist. I don't think that's true any longer but old habits die hard I guess.

Answer 3

In the mad f***ed up world that is british politics, with the need to be politically correct, politicians have decided that only white british people can be racist. People from other ethnic backgrounds who make similar comments or take similar actions against those of other ethnicities, are not marked as racists, but instead, they are accused of 'reverse racism', which apparently is more acceptable than racism.
This is the same thing as in many workplaces (mine, the London underground) where they have a 'positive discrimination' policy - eg pushing applications from men aside for the job of train driver, because women are 'ender-represented' in the role.
All this is complete and utter BS in my opinion - racism is racism no matter who says it, and there is no such thing as positive discrimination - it is all negative - perhaps there is a reason that there are so few women train drivers?!

Answer 4

You are right, depends on the character of the person not colour and maybe when the "not white British" are racists might be even in a worse way than the other way round, again depends on the persons character and personality.
Have a star, good point.

Answer 5

Racism occurs in any culture. It is not just about discriminating against coloured people. Plenty of white people know what racial discrimination feels like.
When people can figure out that it is not about skin colour, or age,religion,resources,wealth, sexuality,size,looks etc and get on with life and get along-the world may be a more peaceful place. People are people-not stereotypes or nationalitys. We all come from the same race-the human race. Underneath we all bleed, we all laugh,cry,feel pain why judge or discriminate!! But being human-we are too judgemental. But definately white people also suffer from racial tension and discrimination. No race is better and no colour is better. We all are people!!

Answer 6

well racism and prejudice are not the same. if i hate all, people that um, er, smell like limes for example and i sit at home watching my tv hating them with all my might, i'm prejudice.

if i walk into the home of one of these people who smell like limes and take their life away, i'm a racist, if i have a job that enables me to deny them service, or a job, or an opportunity that all others have then i'm a racist, SO i think the person you're referring to may have left out a few paragraphs or even pages that express the idea that white brits may be in more positions that allow them use power against those that don't look like them and choose to do so.

Answer 7

Everyone is capable of being racist - and it doesn't always have to be about colour.

The thing I find a lot today is people will use the 'racist card' in order to stifle debate or shift attention away. It also prevents freedom of speech because sometimes people are afraid of what they might say will be perceived as a racial comment even if it wasn't meant to be...

...you know, the thought police, ESP, and those kinds of things.

Answer 8

Yes very odd! Every culture on Earth is racist at some level.
Will be interested to se the answers...

Answer 9

Any race can be racist - not just white British.

Answer 10

There's always racists in every group; not only white british people.
How picky.