What is racism?

mindlight

See in the dark
Supporter
Dec 20, 2003
13,596
2,659
London, UK
✟816,690.00
Country
Germany
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Would you care to elaborate on what you mean by racism?

Thank you.

The Wikipedia definition would be something like this:

Racism is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.

So comments on the lines of these immigrants all come from a defective gene pool, they are all inbred, they all have IQs between 60-80, they are worthless and could not possibly make any contribution to our society all fit.

Another example would be this:

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

–Real estate mogul Donald Trump, presidential announcement speech, June 16, 2015
 
Upvote 0

brinny

everlovin' shiner of light in dark places
Supporter
Mar 23, 2004
248,783
114,476
✟1,339,553.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Private
Politics
US-Constitution
The Wikipedia definition would be something like this:

Racism is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.

So comments on the lines of these immigrants all come from a defective gene pool, they are all inbred, they all have IQs between 60-80, they are worthless and could not possibly make any contribution to our society all fit.

Another example would be this:

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

–Real estate mogul Donald Trump, presidential announcement speech, June 16, 2015

Thank you for elaborating.

How is any of what you posted based on "racism"?

Regarding Donald Trump, did you see his entire statements regarding what you posted above?

Thank you kindly.
 
Upvote 0

Soyeong

Well-Known Member
Mar 10, 2015
12,416
4,599
Hudson
✟281,635.00
Country
United States
Faith
Messianic
Marital Status
Single
The Wikipedia definition would be something like this:

Racism is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.

So comments on the lines of these immigrants all come from a defective gene pool, they are all inbred, they all have IQs between 60-80, they are worthless and could not possibly make any contribution to our society all fit.

I think racism can involve favoring any race, not necessarily you own and that it can also involve giving a race special treatment. For instance, it would be racist to hire a less skilled worker instead someone with more skill for the sole purpose of racial diversity. So racism is treating one race better or worse than they are. If someone were in a neighborhood where a particular race accounted for a much higher percentage of violent crimes than their population ratio, then it would be appropriate to be much more concerned for your safety around them and racist to not be as concerned for your safety around them.

Another example would be this:

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

–Real estate mogul Donald Trump, presidential announcement speech, June 16, 2015

Did he say anything that was false? If all of those things are true, then isn't it a legitimate concern?
 
Upvote 0

mindlight

See in the dark
Supporter
Dec 20, 2003
13,596
2,659
London, UK
✟816,690.00
Country
Germany
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I think racism can involve favoring any race, not necessarily you own and that it can also involve giving a race special treatment. For instance, it would be racist to hire a less skilled worker instead someone with more skill for the sole purpose of racial diversity. So racism is treating one race better or worse than they are. If someone were in a neighborhood where a particular race accounted for a much higher percentage of violent crimes than their population ratio, then it would be appropriate to be much more concerned for your safety around them and racist to not be as concerned for your safety around them.

Yes but take each person and community on its own merits. I do not believe in racial quotas. In early America the Irish were associated with a lot of inner city criminality and of course Italians were associated with the mafia. But there is nothing intrinsically criminal about the Irish, the Italians, Mexicans, Blacks or Syrians for example.

Security is a legitimate concern but with a million refugees to Germany last year how many and what % turned out to be terrorists?!

Did he say anything that was false? If all of those things are true, then isn't it a legitimate concern?

Trump is not stupid and there is no lie in this statement. But you know a guy by his fruit. Fact is hispanics and blacks will not be voting for him and working class white will be. He is speaking the language of a racial group and has defined his campaign in effect in racial terms. He is gambling that he can get a high enough turn out by appealing to the racial identity and values of whites to out vote a more subdued and less passionate vote for political correctness and multiculturalism.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ScottishJohn
Upvote 0

ScottishJohn

Contributor
Feb 3, 2005
6,404
463
45
Glasgow
✟16,690.00
Faith
Presbyterian
Marital Status
Married
Boo :D Long time no see Mindlight - Good to see at least one familiar face on the board.

Think this is a great question.

I think what is interesting about the example of early America - is that you are absolutely right about there being nothing intrinsically criminal about the different race groups but there is something really human about tribalism and uniting against the other. Something human but also something to be overcome.

I think what I would most easily identify with racism would be the following characteristics. A fear of the other which leads to dislike and a narrative based on generalisations and ignorance - both which serve to obscure the human being from us.

I think it is the fear which makes racism so powerful - you can build that fear by adding to the narrative - and people will then be much more likely to act in accordance with your agenda because you have made them so terrified of the consequences of not doing so.
 
Upvote 0

mindlight

See in the dark
Supporter
Dec 20, 2003
13,596
2,659
London, UK
✟816,690.00
Country
Germany
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Boo :D Long time no see Mindlight - Good to see at least one familiar face on the board.

Think this is a great question.

Wow good to see you back. I have missed your depth and insight even if we did seem to disagree on many things.

I think what is interesting about the example of early America - is that you are absolutely right about there being nothing intrinsically criminal about the different race groups but there is something really human about tribalism and uniting against the other. Something human but also something to be overcome.

Unity itself not being the problem nor even the sense of belonging and identity that goes with a cultural / tribal identity but rather the ways in which rivals are demonised. There are better ways to negotiate with rivals much of the time that simply declaring war on those "sub human animals" in the other tribe.

I think what I would most easily identify with racism would be the following characteristics. A fear of the other which leads to dislike and a narrative based on generalisations and ignorance - both which serve to obscure the human being from us.

I think it is the fear which makes racism so powerful - you can build that fear by adding to the narrative - and people will then be much more likely to act in accordance with your agenda because you have made them so terrified of the consequences of not doing so.

I am interested that you have not therefore defined racism in purely biological terms which seem to be the preoccupation of many of the American posters on these boards. So do you think many Scots are racist towards the English and vice versa? Narratives like Brave Heart or the Patriot can seem delusional to English people but the debunking of tribal / national myths does not have to be aggressive racism.
 
Upvote 0

JusticeIsBlind

Active Member
Mar 31, 2016
197
29
48
Miami
✟15,492.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Most people who use the term racist, have never actually met a real racist. Racism has become anything that doesn't line up with the liberal narrative. If you call an illegal an illegal, you're racist. If you say #AllLivesMatter, you're a racist. It's all nonsense and now is just a leftist shaming tactic that I ignore.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

OldWiseGuy

Wake me when it's soup.
Supporter
Feb 4, 2006
46,773
10,981
Wisconsin
Visit site
✟960,122.00
Country
United States
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
If one simply prefers his own 'race', regardless of whether they are in the majority or the minority, is that person a racist? I'm not comfortable around people that don't speak English, regardless of their ethnicity. (And is even being "uncomfortable" also racism?)
 
Upvote 0

ScottishJohn

Contributor
Feb 3, 2005
6,404
463
45
Glasgow
✟16,690.00
Faith
Presbyterian
Marital Status
Married
Wow good to see you back. I have missed your depth and insight even if we did seem to disagree on many things.

Ah well where is the fun in chatting with someone who thinks all the same stuff as you do - what do you learn?

Unity itself not being the problem nor even the sense of belonging and identity that goes with a cultural / tribal identity but rather the ways in which rivals are demonised. There are better ways to negotiate with rivals much of the time that simply declaring war on those "sub human animals" in the other tribe.

No, I agree that unity and cultural identity can be rich and utterly positive, it is as you say when the people who stand outside that unity or identity for whatever reason are treated differently that the trouble starts.


I am interested that you have not therefore defined racism in purely biological terms which seem to be the preoccupation of many of the American posters on these boards. So do you think many Scots are racist towards the English and vice versa? Narratives like Brave Heart or the Patriot can seem delusional to English people but the debunking of tribal / national myths does not have to be aggressive racism.

I don't really think it's biological. Sometimes biology works as an easy marker - but I think it is just human nature at work - pack animals display similar behaviour. If you've ever been between two groups of rival football fans or kids from neighbouring schools you will have seen the same kind of behaviour at play. I think its all the same thing. It's a survival technique left from a more primitive existence. I think for me the problem is when people place large parts of their identity and security in themselves in things which are fragile constructs. Like what does it really mean to belong to nation x. And if they start to allow anyone to belong to nation x what does that mean for my identity? I am no longer unique or special. But the reality is that we are all unique and special and made and designed by God for a special purpose, and while our place of birth may lay a pretty texture over our life - it doesn't really define us. Unless we choose that.

In terms of England Scotland - I think for some people there is still real racism at work there. I think for others it is just banter. I find nationalism in politics to be pretty unsettling - i can think of very few examples where it has remained a positive force.

I think tradition and culture are pretty powerful - and i think the place of our birth can imprint certain predispositions on us - but we can overcome those or step away from them. But the way I think about it is that God made me - he created me, and he chose where I could be born and who I would be born to. He chose Scotland. But it could just as easily have been Saudi Arabia, or China or anywhere. And I would have grown up in a different culture and that would have had all sorts of different impacts on me, but it wouldn't increase or decrease my humanity, it wouldn't have changed his love for me - and it shouldn't change or impact the way I see people from other places.

I am really interested in the minute in Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael. Christians Jews And Muslims would all acknowledge the same story - and I am drawn to God's blessing on Ishmael but also the whole wild donkey thing. How does all of that inform our position in today's world?
 
  • Like
Reactions: mindlight
Upvote 0

GoldenBoy89

We're Still Here
Sep 25, 2012
23,803
25,694
LA
✟551,663.00
Country
United States
Faith
Humanist
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Democrat
Most people who use the term racist, have never actually met a real racist.
People who say they are not racist, are probably lying. Racism doesn't always come in the overt form we are all familiar with like a burning cross on a black family's lawn or wearing a swastika and dressing like Hitler. Racism can be very subtle prejudice that is hardly even noticed. Being outwardly violent to other races is not the only way racism manifests itself. It is a much more complex psychological phenomenon that is deeply rooted in almost all human cultures and societies.

Racism has become anything that doesn't line up with the liberal narrative.
I agree that the term often gets thrown out when it is not necessary but to believe that nothing you ever do could ever be racist in any way because you don't think you are a racist (because you think racists only come in one or two varieties) is an ignorant and shortsighted view of racism.

If you call an illegal an illegal, you're racist.
Illegal is an adjective. How can any person be an illegal? That's not racist, that's just poor English comprehension.

If you say #AllLivesMatter, you're a racist.
Do you know why the term AllLivesMatter exists? Hint: It's because black people started saying BlackLivesMatter to bring attention to their own struggle, and only because of that, because the term didn't exist before BLM became a thing. Maybe it's genuine but it reeks of purposely trying to counter the BLM movement and replace their clearly inciting phrase with what is a much more PC, all-inclusive phrase that doesn't implicate anyone.

It basically misses the entire point of BLM.

It's all nonsense and now is just a leftist shaming tactic that I ignore.
Leftist, huh... What exactly is a leftist?
 
  • Like
Reactions: SummerMadness
Upvote 0

OldWiseGuy

Wake me when it's soup.
Supporter
Feb 4, 2006
46,773
10,981
Wisconsin
Visit site
✟960,122.00
Country
United States
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
Racism........... is a much more complex psychological phenomenon that is deeply rooted in almost all human cultures and societies.

So it's a product of evolution?

Illegal is an adjective. How can any person be an illegal? That's not racist, that's just poor English comprehension.

Everyone knows what the term means. No English lesson needed.

Do you know why the term AllLivesMatter exists? Hint: It's because black people started saying BlackLivesMatter to bring attention to their own struggle

We know what their 'struggle' is, but apparently they don't.

Maybe it's genuine but it reeks of purposely trying to counter the BLM movement and replace their clearly inciting phrase....

Exactly. We're not taking the bait.

with what is a much more PC, all-inclusive phrase that doesn't implicate anyone.

Again, many aren't taking the bait.

It basically misses the entire point of BLM.

We got the message, but they're aiming their signs in the wrong direction. What they need is a giant mirror to write their slogan on. Even many black people are stymied by the total misdirection of this 'movement'.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

OldWiseGuy

Wake me when it's soup.
Supporter
Feb 4, 2006
46,773
10,981
Wisconsin
Visit site
✟960,122.00
Country
United States
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
I am really interested in the minute in Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael. Christians Jews And Muslims would all acknowledge the same story - and I am drawn to God's blessing on Ishmael but also the whole wild donkey thing. How does all of that inform our position in today's world?

By "our" do you mean Scotland?
 
Upvote 0

Hieronymus

Well-Known Member
Jan 12, 2016
8,427
2,998
52
the Hague NL
✟69,862.00
Country
Netherlands
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Simple question provoked by watching Trumps comments on Mexicans and Muslims and a growing anger against immigrants in Europe. What is racism and what can be done about it?
The immigrants in Europe is not a race problem, itś a cultural and / or religious problem.
 
Upvote 0

ScottishJohn

Contributor
Feb 3, 2005
6,404
463
45
Glasgow
✟16,690.00
Faith
Presbyterian
Marital Status
Married
By "our" do you mean Scotland?
No I was thinking 'our' in terms of what position Christians should be moving towards and striving towards. I guess what I'm thinking is that there is a ongoing culture of fear in our international relations. For the latter half of the 20 th century we were afraid of the communists and much was made of their threat. Then after the collapse of the soviet bloc we had a brief period of China dominating the news, and then the terrorists took over in the wake of 911 and apart from a few years when we were more afraid of global economic meltdown and the terrorists conveniently went away and left us to worry about the finance markets before coming back on the scene.

God says do not be afraid but so much of our modern political engagement is driven by fear.

I am wondering what our response as Christians is to militant Islam when it says in Genesis that God is looking out for these people and promised to build them into a nation.

I wonder if sometimes our fear comes from a lack of trust and a lack of belief in Gods lordship. Our actions to address the objects of our fear rarely go according to plan and often showcase our greed and self interest and make the problems worse.
 
Upvote 0

OldWiseGuy

Wake me when it's soup.
Supporter
Feb 4, 2006
46,773
10,981
Wisconsin
Visit site
✟960,122.00
Country
United States
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
No I was thinking 'our' in terms of what position Christians should be moving towards and striving towards. I guess what I'm thinking is that there is a ongoing culture of fear in our international relations. For the latter half of the 20 th century we were afraid of the communists and much was made of their threat. Then after the collapse of the soviet bloc we had a brief period of China dominating the news, and then the terrorists took over in the wake of 911 and apart from a few years when we were more afraid of global economic meltdown and the terrorists conveniently went away and left us to worry about the finance markets before coming back on the scene.

God says do not be afraid but so much of our modern political engagement is driven by fear.

I am wondering what our response as Christians is to militant Islam when it says in Genesis that God is looking out for these people and promised to build them into a nation.

I wonder if sometimes our fear comes from a lack of trust and a lack of belief in Gods lordship. Our actions to address the objects of our fear rarely go according to plan and often showcase our greed and self interest and make the problems worse.

I think the position of the church in all this, to the extent that we understand it, is that it is the fulfillment of prophecy.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums