I feel racism is a result of ones environment do you?

Question

so a mental disorder can be ruled out .

I too was raised in Detroit, during the mid to late 60s I witnessed the national guard experienced the ignorance

Answer 1

Yes I can agree but it's a combination of environment and peer pressure. On their own, people seldom develop racisms but with the help of others, they quickly give into the bull being fashioned around them.

Answer 2

It has to do with a lot of factors, firstly, I am of mixed race ,educated and raised in a world where everyone has there own opinion of what racism is and what they like and dislike about others who differ to them for whatever reason
. If you look at emotions, they are part of our making and teaching by others. If you naturally hate someone for the
colour of their skin , culture, way of being, then I think you are admitting yourself to racism and without real reason to be.

We cannot help being that way if we are not willing to resolve the reason why we are that way. There is an enormous amount of influence in the way we as humans think and I seriously believe that is the main reason why we hate so much. This idea of do unto others as you would wish them do to you has gone way out of context since mankind came about , with the many differences between us all, it is clear to see that some people can't see beyond racial prejudices and are so controlled by others as well as their own feelings that it is getting harder to convert people towards a rational way of thinking. So where you are brought up, the schooling you have had or the background that you are coming from are equally to be considered.

Answer 3

I believe that racism or any kind of "different-ism" is natural. Acceptance of others that look or sound different is learned behavior. This is true of pretty much all immoral behavior. In other words, killing, raping, stealing etc. are part of the more animalistic side of man while all those things we see as moral or ethical must be taught. In this respect, that children are either not taught to be accepting of different people or are actually taught not to, yes it is an environmental influence. However, I believe it is also a natural, instinctual influence as well. Something that must be risen above.

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Answer 4

people have a natural tendency to want to be around like people. I would say that most of the time its not about the color of skin but personalities and tendencies that people gravitate to or from. however alot of times those tendencies and personalities match skin color and people perceive it as a race issue when in fact it is not.

So you got a long with them. Good. nowhere did I say this is the be all end all of situations. I have black friends too some are similar to me some arent. thats not the point. just like people of the same color there are some you can get along with some you can tolerate and some you cant stand. Like I said its the ones you dont agree with or get along with that some people make it into a race issue when it is not. I think you missread my answer.

Answer 5

I believe you've hit on something. I was reared with people of all colors and denominations and as a result, don't see or feel racism through the eyes that many do.

So yes, I'd say that environment has a lot to do with it.

Answer 6

Absolutely. It is not an issue of genetics, so environment is all that remains.

Captain Obvious, I disagree. I actually pursued the opposite goal, of surrounding myself with people of color. I have lived in Virginia Beach, with black families in the town-houses on each side of ours. My child's earliest care-givers were black women who stayed home with their children while their husbands went to work at their jobs in the military. We had no racism there. Even in the expensive beach homes, there was a cultural mix. That's what you find in a military town...

In 1968, my parents were forced out of Los Angeles (in tears and heartbreak) after my grandfather was almost killed walking across the street...

Racism has been manufactured. By people of hatred on both sides of the fence.

Answer 7

No, racism is natural. As humans, our ability to recognize patterns is key to our intelligence. Through observation, we realize we are all unique, and that groups of people can be classified. This leads to more pattern recognition and eventually stereotyping and racism.

Acceptance of racism is a result of one's environment, but to be racist, biased and stereotype people is just a natural part of being human.

By the way, I am referring to generic racism. Racism isn't about putting a group down or calling them bad names, its about stereotyping and judging a person based on race, for good or for bad.

Answer 8

Yellowbelliedcon and Jennifer have it right. It's taught and you make your own choice.
My wife was raised in the deep south in the 60's and has never been a racist,even though many in her family were.

Answer 9

No the environment, but how our children are socialized. From all walks of life, rich and poor, children are taught racism, ethnic, and religious hate.

Answer 10

I would have to say yes and no. Surely, a person's environment can influence the issue, but everyone has a CHOICE.