Are We Racists When We Talk Politics?

Unofficial Reverand Alex · Nov 12, 2018

"Republicans are so cold-hearted." "Democrats are so stupid." "Third-party voters are just idealists that waste their votes." "Liberals are...conservatives are...Jill Stein supporters are all...Chris Keniston supporters are just...." The list goes on endlessly.

Is this a form of racism? If I said, "Blacks are so cold-hearted, Italians are so stupid, whites are privileged idealists that waste their potential...", everyone would say that's racism. Is it really that much different to replace races with political parties?

Near the 2016 election, my priest, Fr. Bert, gave a great homily that I still remember a great line from: "Can people tell that we're Christians by the way we talk about politicians?" Do we act just as divisive as anyone else, or actually make an effort to still be loving & unifying, as we are called to be?

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1900 The duty of obedience requires all to give due honor to authority and to treat those who are charged to exercise it with respect, and, insofar as it is deserved, with gratitude and good-will.

Pope St. Clement of Rome provides the Church's most ancient prayer for political authorities: "Grant to them, Lord, health, peace, concord, and stability, so that they may exercise without offense the sovereignty that you have given them. Master, heavenly King of the ages, you give glory, honor, and power over the things of earth to the sons of men. Direct, Lord, their counsel, following what is pleasing and acceptable in your sight, so that by exercising with devotion and in peace and gentleness the power that you have given to them, they may find favor with you."

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." --1 Timothy 2:1-2

Strathos · Nov 12, 2018

Racism is specifically discrimination by race. Political parties aren't races.

The Barbarian · Nov 12, 2018

The point is well-taken. While our elected officials have often let us down badly, and often deserve our criticism, they also deserve our prayers and acknowledgement of the position to which they have been entrusted.

Like it or not, we have what we have. That's what elections are for.

The Barbarian · Nov 12, 2018

Strathos said:
Racism is specifically discrimination by race. Political parties aren't races.

Yep. But more and more, we see a conscious attempt to play on racial fears as a political strategy. And it's not entirely our president who's doing it. It happens on the left as well.

Willie T · Nov 12, 2018

No. Racism or xenophobia is objection to a group of people solely on the basis of something they have no control over.... such as skin color or nationality.

To the contrary, each of us makes a conscious decision to hold to the tenants of a particular political party.

OldWiseGuy · Nov 12, 2018

Strathos said:
Racism is specifically discrimination by race. Political parties aren't races.

If you vote Republican you are voting against the interests of most minorities, therefore you are a racist.

The Barbarian · Nov 12, 2018

OldWiseGuy said:
If you vote Republican you are voting against the interests of most minorities, therefore you are a racist.

From all the numbers I've seen, only about a third of republicans even espouse overt racist ideas, and I don't doubt that for some of them, it's just talk. I knew people like that in the little town where I grew up. They sounded like Klan members when they were talking about race, and then when they encountered a black person, they treated them with respect and decency.

I doubt if McConnel, for example is a racist; he would be just as likely to favor wealthy black person as anyone else, and just as quick to act against interests of poor whites as anyone else.

It's not about race for most of them. It's the money.

Sparagmos · Nov 13, 2018

Unofficial Reverand Alex said:
"Republicans are so cold-hearted." "Democrats are so stupid." "Third-party voters are just idealists that waste their votes." "Liberals are...conservatives are...Jill Stein supporters are all...Chris Keniston supporters are just...." The list goes on endlessly.

Is this a form of racism? If I said, "Blacks are so cold-hearted, Italians are so stupid, whites are privileged idealists that waste their potential...", everyone would say that's racism. Is it really that much different to replace races with political parties?

Near the 2016 election, my priest, Fr. Bert, gave a great homily that I still remember a great line from: "Can people tell that we're Christians by the way we talk about politicians?" Do we act just as divisive as anyone else, or actually make an effort to still be loving & unifying, as we are called to be?

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1900 The duty of obedience requires all to give due honor to authority and to treat those who are charged to exercise it with respect, and, insofar as it is deserved, with gratitude and good-will.

Pope St. Clement of Rome provides the Church's most ancient prayer for political authorities: "Grant to them, Lord, health, peace, concord, and stability, so that they may exercise without offense the sovereignty that you have given them. Master, heavenly King of the ages, you give glory, honor, and power over the things of earth to the sons of men. Direct, Lord, their counsel, following what is pleasing and acceptable in your sight, so that by exercising with devotion and in peace and gentleness the power that you have given to them, they may find favor with you."

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." --1 Timothy 2:1-2

There is a HUGE difference. We chose our political affiliation, we dont chose our race. For instance, to use an extrene: saying Nazis are hateful people makes sense.

Sparagmos · Nov 13, 2018

The Barbarian said:
From all the numbers I've seen, only about a third of republicans even espouse overt racist ideas, and I don't doubt that for some of them, it's just talk. I knew people like that in the little town where I grew up. They sounded like Klan members when they were talking about race, and then when they encountered a black person, they treated them with respect and decency.

I doubt if McConnel, for example is a racist; he would be just as likely to favor wealthy black person as anyone else, and just as quick to act against interests of poor whites as anyone else.

It's not about race for most of them. It's the money.

Really? So they had zero problem with their children marrying them, hired them at the same rate, and voted for blacks no problem? Why would you talk like that if you respected a person? Makes no sense.

Unofficial Reverand Alex · Nov 13, 2018

OldWiseGuy said:
If you vote Republican you are voting against the interests of most minorities, therefore you are a racist.

The whole "Republicans are against minorities" thing is something I guarantee you is another example of the brand of racism I mentioned in the OP. I tend to vote Republican, as did most people I talked to in high school, and we are some of the least racist people I know.

Petros2015 · Nov 13, 2018

Strathos said:
Political parties aren't races.

Really? Then why are they always racing against each other?

The Barbarian · Nov 13, 2018

Sparagmos said:
Really? So they had zero problem with their children marrying them, hired them at the same rate, and voted for blacks no problem? Why would you talk like that if you respected a person? Makes no sense.

Yes, there were limits for them, and I'm sure that varied. But they weren't the kind of overt racists that comprise roughly a third of Trump's support. Those people are crazy, wanting to set up "white homelands", rolling back integrated schools, and so on. Some even think blacks should not be able to vote or own property.

I doubt if there's anyone who grew up in America who isn't tainted by racism to some degree. I am willing to give a pass to anyone who is able to behave as though he has no prejudices. We are all sinners who must transcend our inclinations and do what is right. Racism is no different than any other evil in that respect.

Willie T · Nov 13, 2018

It is certainly not racist to be aware that there are often very distinct differences between white and black societies as a whole. But it IS racist to automatically assign those differences to individuals.

Many of us have been frightened into being so afraid of upsetting the PC Police by even acknowledging that.... so we bury our heads in the sand, and claim everyone is alike. And we feel that to see any differences is somehow a sin.

W2L · Nov 13, 2018

Its not racism but its slander and gossip. Love fulfills the law.

W2L · Nov 13, 2018

Some scriptures to think about. Sorry they are in KJV only. I got them off a website.

Matthew 12:36 - But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Psalms 101:5 - Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

1 Peter 3:16 - Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Proverbs 10:18 - He that hideth hatred [with] lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, [is] a fool.

James 4:11 - Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of [his] brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Exodus 20:16 - Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Titus 3:2 - To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, [but] gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

1 Peter 2:1 - Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

Proverbs 16:28 - A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

Ephesians 4:31-32 - Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: (Read More...)

Proverbs 20:19 - He that goeth about [as] a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

Proverbs 11:9 - An hypocrite with [his] mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

Sparagmos · Nov 13, 2018

The Barbarian said:
Yes, there were limits for them, and I'm sure that varied. But they weren't the kind of overt racists that comprise roughly a third of Trump's support. Those people are crazy, wanting to set up "white homelands", rolling back integrated schools, and so on. Some even think blacks should not be able to vote or own property.

I doubt if there's anyone who grew up in America who isn't tainted by racism to some degree. I am willing to give a pass to anyone who is able to behave as though he has no prejudices. We are all sinners who must transcend our inclinations and do what is right. Racism is no different than any other evil in that respect.

I’ll take you r word for it, but in my own experience anyone who makes racist comments also discriminated against people of color in relationships and hiring. (I lived in Texas, Florida and Arizona, had a black boyfriend and saw bosses refuse to hire black people.).

Willie T · Nov 13, 2018

Sparagmos said:
I’ll take you r word for it, but in my own experience anyone who makes racist comments also discriminated against people of color in relationships and hiring. (I lived in Texas, Florida and Arizona, had a black boyfriend and saw bosses refuse to hire black people.).

I have to admit that after hiring (then eventually firing) more than 50 young black men for a construction job right in their own community who never really wanted to work (they just wanted a paycheck), I also pretty much gave up on hiring them. This is despite the fact that one of my best workers was an older black man. I discussed this situation with him, and he told me that he, himself, would never have hired most of them for ANY job.

OldWiseGuy · Nov 13, 2018

Willie T said:
I have to admit that after hiring (then eventually firing) more than 50 young black men for a construction job right in their own community who never really wanted to work (they just wanted a paycheck), I also pretty much gave up on hiring them. This is despite the fact that one of my best workers was an older black man. I discussed this situation with him, and he told me that he, himself, would never have hired most of them for ANY job.

I had a similar experience with black rental applicants. However one of my best tenants was a black gentleman from Ghana. He rented from me for eleven years.

Are We Racists When We Talk Politics?

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