Is everyone Racist and do they Stereotype?

Question

Read this and give your opinion:

http://psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-19980501-000029.html

P.S. for those that are lazy, basically it says how we all stereotype naturally.

Answer 1

of course. We are human, are we not?!


EDIT:

To Danielle, In response to your sending me a message saying you don't like me because of my opinion............

"okay, you don't have to like me. This is a public forum and you know what? You're going to get a wide variety of opinions here.

I'm not taking your response personally, because you don't know me and you don't know where I'm coming from.

Hugs,
Madame Blueberry"

Answer 2

Not everyone is racist & some people stereotype only if they've had a bad experience with someone of another race.

Now, I can say this: People, especially Americans do not like to talk about race relations, simply because it makes them feel very uncomfortable.

That is exactly why America is experiencing a slew of racial incidents across this country & I promise you this: We will see more & more!

When issues are not addressed, they manifest to mammoth proportions & when that happens, no one knows how & where to start addressing these issues.

It's like dirty laundry, when it piles up, all of the clothes are so dingy & dirty, you don't know which load to tackle first!

Also, when anyone who asks a question on this site, regarding race relations in America or racism, there's always backlash.

And notice some of the responses: Some of the comments are racist & vile, therefore this is the opportune site for these sadistic individuals to spew racism, ignorance, hatred & bigotry all while remaining anonymous!

As a matter of fact, there will be many small-minded, sheltered individuals who are going to be highly upset, at this response alone.

I repeat: Small-Minded, Sheltered Individuals!

Answer 3

Once again, Science discovers the obvious.

Anyone who occassionally glances at the political boards or daily newspapers has seen outright political bias based on stereotypes about republicans, conservatives, liberals, democrats, "the black vote", "the hispanic vote", the assertion that being anti-illegal immigration equals being racist (said assertion itself being evidence of bigotry and prejudice), and so on.

Maybe Science will also figure out why we do this. I think it's because the mind abhors a vacuum, and we feel a psychological need to "peg" people we meet, before there's been an opportunity to get their entire life story.

I guess I have a stereotype about people like this professor, expecting most college professors to be educated beyond their own ability to understand.

Answer 4

I think by the time we are teenagers there is definate racism or stereotypes we believe. As babys we are not racist or stereotypical we learn from others. I try to be nice and a lot of people do but I know I still have stereotypes maybe even some racism in me.

Answer 5

I consider myself a pretty close minded bigoted racist, but I do not stereotype people - that is just wrong!

Sure, it's OK for me to hate people simply because they are different than me, but for me to construct preconceived notions about them is absurd!

I don't assume that all Asians are good at math or that all black people are criminals - that is a stereotype. I simply hate everyone that is not like me and then think nothing of them.

Answer 6

I think we all do it. Some do it more subtly than others is all. If an ugly man comes in with his hair a mess and his shirt stained and next a handsome man in a nice suit, chances are they've just made an impression and you've just made a stereotype without even knowing them.

Answer 7

Yea everybody is at least a little stereotypical or else you would talk to everyone you saw. think about it, the first thing you do when you see a person is you try to catagorize them in some way to determine if you want to get to know them.

Answer 8

To some degree, everyone does. It is natural to be competitive with those who's genes are unlike your own. It's why the lion kills the cubs that are not his, to deny his rival's genes existence and to secure a future for his own. It is base and primal but exists also in humans. Though most of us have risen above it using our intellect it is still there and can not be denied.

Answer 9

I want to see a new law on lazisism introduced so I can prosucute people who call me lazy as I always wake up late!

Answer 10

Like that line from one old Kirs Kristoffer song:
"everybody's gotta have somebody to look down on"..
I think discrimination brings some sort of twisted stability to our meek subconscious mind that we are superior than someone else... quite evil, but I think we are all guilty of that.. subconsciously.

Answer 11

I don't think everyone is racist, but I do agree that everyone stereotypes, whether on purpose or not. It's more about how it's handled that's important.