Official Shrub.com has been doing a series of discussions on racism, and the latest article about racism is titled "If you have to say "i'm not racist" chances are you are".
Here's a quote from the article:
"A trend that you can’t help but notice if you follow any sort of racial issues is that when white people do something racist, they almost always include in their apology, “I’m not a racist”. Most of you should know the Michael Richards “but I’m not a racist!” protest in his apology after he was caught on tape being racist. But it’s not just the celebrities who pitch this line, it’s average people as well." http://blog.shrub.com/
It made me wonder the same thing about sexism. If you have to say "i'm not sexist", does that mean you are being sexist? Why or why not?
2007-10-06 11:56:51 · 13 answers · asked by edith clarke 7 in Social Science ➔ Gender Studies
The girl mentioned in that article, Kristy Smith, goes to my university. I genuinely believe she is not a racist. I do not know her personally, but I know people that do know her and they all seem to think she's not racist either. The reason she and her friends were making fun of the Jena 6 is because we have to hear about it on TV (because we live nearby) ALL THE TIME and we're all just pretty sick of it. So when she says "I'm not a racist" she means it.
When people say "I'm not a racist, but" or "I'm not sexist, but" that doesn't necessarily mean that they are racist or sexist. It's just that, when it comes to minorities, white people have to carefully temper anything they say because people will twist it way out of proportion and assume they're racist, but if a minority made a similar comment, they wouldn't necessarily be thought of as racist.
For example:
"I'm proud to be black"
"I'm proud to be white"
In the first example, a black person could easily say that they are proud of being black without anyone thinking anything of it. But if a white person says they are proud of being white, then everyone immediately assumes that the person MUST be racist...when in reality there's nothing wrong with being proud of your ethnic background. So, this is an instance in which the "I'm not a racist but" clause would need to be added (for a white person).
Another example:
"Black people on average make lower test scores than white people".
While this is an unfortunate statement...at the present time, it is TRUE. But if a white person says it, once again, they will automatically be called racist.
So ultimately, white people are pretty much NEVER allowed to freely say anything negative about other races (even thought it may be TRUE) and even though the other races are free to say bad things about whites. The same goes for men. Women can say bad things about men, but God forbid a man does the same.
So, they must either hold their tongue or point out that they are NOT racist or sexist, before they go on to say whatever they are going to say, because if a white person (or a male) says ANYTHING negative about minorities or women respectively, they MUST be racist. It's so hypocritical.
Honestly, I think it would be better if society would abandon all this PC-ness. It's hurting us all, and preventing us from saying things that NEED to be said. Just because you have something negative to point out about another race or the other gender, doesn't mean you hate them. I really wish people would let go of these paranoid, ludicrous notions.
2007-10-06 13:35:14 · answer #1 · answered by G 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The "but" here is an acknowledgment that what one says may be PERCEIVED as racist. If a person says, "I'm not racist, but I don't think black people are as smart as whites", they're racist. But if they say, "I'm not racist, but I find a lot of rap music disturbing", they may not be racist AT ALL. But they may anticipate being accused of racism, because some people do react that way to such remarks.
It's the same with sexism.
EDIT
And "but" in the English language does not CANCEL the clause which proceeds. Rather it indicates that the two clauses may in some sense CONTRAST and that contrast may have to do only with prior expectations.
2007-10-06 12:14:11 · answer #2 · answered by Gnu Diddy! 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Yes, yes it is. Both are giving preference to those of a biological characteristic that has no bearing on the task at hand (gender and race). Notice that women (especially from the previous answers) call it "courtesy" because they BENEFITED from discrimination. Whites said the same, for the same reason. Those who say that "ladies first" is about honor and respect? That's PRECISELY what "whites only" was about.
2016-05-17 21:31:51 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok, let me just say as a while person i get accused of racism waaaay faster than any other minority. people are very, very sensitive about racism and some like to make everything a race issue. i am not racist. does saying that automatically mean i am? so is it ok for a black person to say "i am not racist, but..." i wouldn't consider them to be racist unless they followed by some horrible insult. same with whites.
as a server, i have been mistreated by people of every color, every sex, every race. i don't play the race card or sex card about it unless that person makes it apparent to me. (by the way, i have been called "hun" and slapped on the *** by guys and called a "stupid white girl" by black women that weren't satisfied with their food.)
i am not racist, but i do get upset when others assume that only whites can be racist. anybody can be, in my opinion and direct experience.
2007-10-06 12:11:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. I do not feel that if you say this, you are condemning yourself. It all depends on the situation. I do feel that people have become to sensitive about words. If your around great people you can just be yourself and say whatever that's on your mind without being judged. But if he or she is truly a racist or sexist the signs will eventually show. Hope this helps.
Thanks./dg
2007-10-06 12:12:08 · answer #5 · answered by demetricegrn 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Some of it depends on people's standards of racism and sexism. Michael Richard's actions can't be taken as anything BUT racist. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvHVHOlUZXg)
No one is completely without prejudice. Some people are just better at keeping it under wraps than others.
2007-10-06 12:04:01 · answer #6 · answered by Rio Madeira 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
from a strictly english perspective (analyzing our language), anytime you say the word "but" you are essentially canceling out anything you said before it. i'm not dumb, but... OR i'm not a whore, but... whatever.
my friends and i have also noticed that the other thing people say to prove they aren't racist is, "i have a black friend." uh...that doesn't mean you're not racist. it means you found one black person that you think is OK and safe.
so to answer your question, if someone said, "i'm not sexist, but..." i would ignore the first part of the sentence and listen to the completely sexist thing they were about to say after "but". i think anytime that you have to qualify or explain what you're about to say, you probably shouldn't say it.
2007-10-06 12:03:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
those two expressions are alike, but they are about two seperate things and all people are sexist and raisist you cant prevent it
2007-10-08 10:42:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is there any way to prove that your not racist? No. So don't ask me to prove it, just so you can get your rocks off.
2007-10-06 12:07:34 · answer #9 · answered by hottotrot1_usa 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
That is similar to saying im a feminist but not sexist. If you have to say you are a femininst, then you are sexist.
2007-10-06 12:15:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋