What is Racism?

Soyeong

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It's become something of a catch-all term that is used to describe all kinds of behavior and ideology. And it's one of the most serious charges that can be leveled against an individual in today's climate.

But is it a meaningful term?

Please offer a definition for "racism".

A club.
 
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ViaCrucis

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So race is not real?

Depends on what we mean by "real". Is it real in biology/nature? No. But social constructs aren't necessarily less real simply because they are social constructs: national borders, nations themselves, etc are all social constructs and they are real insofar as there is a general consensus among human beings that they exist for some meaningful purpose.

The concept of race is a social construct, from the perspective of nature there's no such thing as race because human beings aren't divided into categories, that is, there's no such thing as a "white race" or a "black race" in nature. But as a societal construct it exists as an idea; in and of itself it's not necessarily bad. Where it does become problematic is precisely where the subject of racism comes in:

To regard someone who is different from oneself, on the basis of "race" (which includes, but is not limited to, things like skin color, generalized features, place of origin, nationality, and ethnicity). The 19th century WASP Nativists were racist not only against black people, but also Italians and the Irish.

Racism is a set of ideas, beliefs, etc which regards superficial differences categorized as "race" as a means of justifying views of superiority of ones own group over and against all others; and/or regarding other groups (or even just one group in particular) as inferior. Less overt forms of racism include having assumptions about a group on the basis of race, usually stereotypes, whether negative or benign, such as that Asians are good at math, or that black people are more prone to criminal behavior. Racism can exist as a personal ideology, such as someone who believes that being white is better than being anything else; or it can exist more deeply within societal systems--government, economics, education, etc. Systemic racism occurs when a system is so constructed, whether intentionally or not, as to be favorable toward a particular racial demographic over others. Some of the more obvious and egregious examples in recent history of this include Segregation in the United States, and Apartheid in South Africa. But it doesn't necessarily have to be that explicit to still result in oppression of a group--for example when it's been shown that companies prefer "traditional" "white" sounding names like Mike, Jeff, Bob over less "white" sounding names such as Juan or Jamal. Another example can be seen, in the US, in how disproportionate our justice system is, wherein African American and Hispanic Americans are more likely to face heavier sentencing than European Americans--even for the same crimes.

Disproportionate disadvantages on account of skin color, ethnicity, nationality, place of origin (etc) are examples of systemic racism.

Holding to generalizations and stereotypes based on skin color, ethnicity, nationality, place of origin (etc) are examples of less overt racism.

Adhering to racialist ideologies in which one's own "kind" is regarded as superior than others, or regarding other "kinds" of people inferior are examples of more overt racism.

Recognizing these problems, both as individuals and as a society, is necessary if we want to properly address the continued problems we see in regard to these matters.

While recognizing that "race" does not exist in nature, or as a scientific concept, is helpful; that isn't the entirety of the conversation because it remains a very powerful social construct. Yes, it is perhaps better if we could do away with it as a social construct--but doing away with it as a social construct does not mean ignoring the problems we face today, it means tackling them directly and honestly.

-CryptoLutheran
 
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Hieronymus

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So why do we have races of dogs and cats and what not, but not of humans?
Because it's called "ethnicity" for humans?
Or because it's not politically correct? (a "white guilt" thing?)

Maybe it's because humans tend to stick a value judgement to it (racism), so we pretend there are no ethnic groups? :)
 
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Instrument150

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So why do we have races of dogs and cats and what not, but not of humans?
Because it's called "ethnicity" for humans?
Or because it's not politically correct? (a "white guilt" thing?)

Maybe it's because humans tend to stick a value judgement to it (racism), so we pretend there are no ethnic groups? :)

Some people are from different areas of the world and look different in various ways. Organize if you wish, it's your natural human ability to recognize patterns that is doing that.

BUT NOT GOD
 
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Genersis

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So why do we have races of dogs and cats and what not, but not of humans?
Because it's called "ethnicity" for humans?
Or because it's not politically correct? (a "white guilt" thing?)

Maybe it's because humans tend to stick a value judgement to it (racism), so we pretend there are no ethnic groups? :)
There are no "races" for cats and dogs.
Breeds are not analogous to races.
Breeds are created through selective breeding, to promote certain physical features or behaviours.
Though the distinction between different breeds is similarly as meaningless as the distinction between races. Largely based on appearance rather than genetics.
 
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grasping the after wind

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Some people are from different areas of the world and look different in various ways. Organize if you wish, it's your natural human ability to recognize patterns that is doing that.

BUT NOT GOD

If one is a believer in a Creator God then one must assume that that Creator God puropsely set all this stuff ( the patterns and our natural tendency to notice them) up so yeah in the end it is God that is ultimately responsible for doing that. Atheists would have a completely different POV on the subject. Though some atheists tend to place blame for much evil on religion and might end up blaming belief in God for racism.

The concept of race however, is IMO exactly what you describe. People noticing patterns. Noticing patterns is in itself not a bad thing. Subjectively concluding that one pattern is superior to another is what leads to racism. If I notice a pattern in a group that is objectively present i.e. a specific hair color, eye color, skin color, shapes of eyes etc., and then assign a name to that group I do nothing objectively wrong. If I then decide that my own grouping is somehow intrinsically better I am being completely irrational and engaging in a form of racism. If I act upon that irrationality, I am being a full blown racist. IMO The correct response to recognizing different patterns among different people is to be thrilled by the variations among equally valuable humans. The worst reaction is to be racist but another bad way to react is to tell others they are not allowed to mention that there are differences.
 
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grasping the after wind

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There are no "races" for cats and dogs.
Breeds are not analogous to races.
Breeds are created through selective breeding, to promote certain physical features or behaviours.
Though the distinction between different breeds is similarly as meaningless as the distinction between races. Largely based on appearance rather than genetics.

Being inconsequential is not the same as being meaningless. Lets not go to one extreme to just to avoid being at the other.
 
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Instrument150

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If one is a believer in a Creator God then one must assume that that Creator God puropsely set all this stuff ( the patterns and our natural tendency to notice them) up so yeah in the end it is God that is ultimately responsible for doing that. Atheists would have a completely different POV on the subject. Though some atheists tend to place blame for much evil on religion and might end up blaming belief in God for racism.

The concept of race however, is IMO exactly what you describe. People noticing patterns. Noticing patterns is in itself not a bad thing. Subjectively concluding that one pattern is superior to another is what leads to racism. If I notice a pattern in a group that is objectively present i.e. a specific hair color, eye color, skin color, shapes of eyes etc., and then assign a name to that group I do nothing objectively wrong. If I then decide that my own grouping is somehow intrinsically better I am being completely irrational and engaging in a form of racism. If I act upon that irrationality, I am being a full blown racist. IMO The correct response to recognizing different patterns among different people is to be thrilled by the variations among equally valuable humans. The worst reaction is to be racist but another bad way to react is to tell others they are not allowed to mention that there are differences.

Take a hike....;) through 1Corinthians ... KJV key word differences
 
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Hieronymus

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There are no "races" for cats and dogs.
Breeds are not analogous to races.
Okay, i see.
In Dutch (my language) we speak of races (ras, rassen plural) for cats and dogs (and other animals).
 
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Race is a larger version of family. People resemble their relatives both in appearance and behavior and sometimes get stereotyped because of it. People are quick to notice patterns and tend to take them too far. That is racism, and so is assuming traits of a group are due to nature rather than nurture.
 
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dysert

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The world will tell you that racism is either A. Thinking that your specific race is the supreme race above all others. B. Singling out a specific race and hating them.
I think this is the practical definition.
 
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grasping the after wind

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Are we making light of a very big issue? I hope not. This is not Dr. Seuss's 'Stars on Thars". Racism tears at the very core of values. It destroys countries as well as families.

Something that takes itself too seriously ought to be made light of. One thing Alinsky , who I have nothing but disrespect for, realized was that the best way to defeat something is to mock it because if something is made to look foolish people will generally avoid being associated with it even more so than if something is considered radical or dangerous or even evil. The fear of being embarrassed is even greater for most people than the fear of being considered bad. Racism needs to be made light of so no one takes the stupid notions of racists seriously and no one wants to be a racist because other people will laugh at you for it. That being the case , one must reserve the term racism for actual racism and not dilute it in any way.
 
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ubicaritas

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So race is not real?

It's a socially-constructed reality.

Most racists seem to believe that race is a real thing that exists apart from social construction. Modern racism is pseudoscientific and often based on archaic and outdated scientific ideas about anthropology.
 
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Alicia Schout

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It's become something of a catch-all term that is used to describe all kinds of behavior and ideology. And it's one of the most serious charges that can be leveled against an individual in today's climate.

But is it a meaningful term?

Please offer a definition for "racism".
Well, racism is evil. It's the work of the devil.
God who has created differs races, loves His
creatures. Those who loves the Lord, hates racism. So this determines whether someone is walking in the Light or in darkness. For whoever walks in the Light love his fellowmen despite of race, creed or cultural background.
 
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Alicia Schout

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It's a socially-constructed reality. It is real inasmuch as people give it meaning.

Most racists seem to believe that race is a real thing that exists apart from social construction. Modern racism is pseudoscientific and often based on archaic and outdated scientific ideas about anthropology.
Well, racism is real and this problem should be taken seriously and as God's word says: we must exposed the works of the devil and destroy it. We must not tolerate racism but combat it. Justice is for one and all. Jesus died to save sinners like me. So these crazy men must be transformed by the Spirit. Only by the working Power of the Lord, minds can be changed. Remember it begins with an evil thought, that turn to action. That's why Paul says in one of his letters, christian must guard their hearts and mind in Jesus. So as a man thinks so is he. So if we think Godly we will act Godly.
Be blessed and be a blessing for someone.
 
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speaktome

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Something that takes itself too seriously ought to be made light of. One thing Alinsky , who I have nothing but disrespect for, realized was that the best way to defeat something is to mock it because if something is made to look foolish people will generally avoid being associated with it even more so than if something is considered radical or dangerous or even evil. The fear of being embarrassed is even greater for most people than the fear of being considered bad. Racism needs to be made light of so no one takes the stupid notions of racists seriously and no one wants to be a racist because other people will laugh at you for it. That being the case , one must reserve the term racism for actual racism and not dilute it in any way.
Thank you for clarifying. I appreciate it.
 
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Alicia Schout

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Are we making light of a very big issue? I hope not. This is not Dr. Seuss's 'Stars on Thars". Racism tears at the very core of values. It destroys countries as well as families.
Yes, you are surely right. Racism can leads to slavery.
Jesus came to set us free from all bondage. He anoints
His saints to preach good tidings to the meek, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. Read Isaiah 61:1-3. It's a wonderful anointment when the Spirit of God is upon someone. The contrary is when someone has one of more evil spirits. That is what racism is an evil spirit that dwells in someone or group. These people need to be set free from their imprisonment.
 
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ananda

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It's become something of a catch-all term that is used to describe all kinds of behavior and ideology. And it's one of the most serious charges that can be leveled against an individual in today's climate.

But is it a meaningful term?

Please offer a definition for "racism".
Racism is a type of bias for, or bias against, individuals based on preconceived judgments regarding groups those individuals are perceived to belong to, usually based on physical appearance. As such, xenophilia (bias for) is just as "racist" as xenophobia (bias against).

The only righteous thing to do is to judge individuals on an individual basis, not on perceived group affiliation.

Example of judging individuals based on group affiliation: "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. This testimony is true." Titus 1:12-13 (ASV)
 
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