Quote:
Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45
Racism must be defined before that question can be answered. Does racism only mean you think white people are superior to blacks people? Does it mean one race is somehow superior/inferior to another in certain aspects? Does racism apply to only conscious actions or subconscious thoughts and actions as well? Can cultural prejudice be considered racism? Can only people enforcing power be considered racist?
Different people have different definitions of what racism is and it is very easy to have very emotional arguments over something that is purely semantic. Keep in mind that, while I (and I'm assuming you) disagree with this definition, racism is largely defined as limited to people who have extreme animosity towards people of another skin color and racists are considered to be on the same level of those who committed genocide with that definition. This definition is popular here in the United States due to the extreme racism that existed.
Therefore, while my definition of racism is very loose (I think almost everyone who grew up in a racist environment is technically racist to some degree), I need to be careful throwing it around because some people have a much different definition and can, rightfully, take much offense to it.
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Dear ph45
You don't need the farcical contrast of Ibby's posts on this subject to make this post look so good, so rational, so wise. You post looks good on its own, and Ibby's posts look ridiculous all on their own. I mention them both at this point because I'm injecting myself into the conversation at this point.
By making clear the important distinctions between emotional reactions to the words and actions of others and the difficulty establishing a definitive, comprehensive meaning for such a subjective idea as "racism". Your measured, thoughtful approach is an example of the best way to discuss such a difficult subject, and the only way to begin to develop solutions to the problems that are created by the effects of racism.