Election 2012

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by sexobon

In the good ol' USA, the word "racialism" fell out of popularity with "racism" being substituted for it while maintaining its application for describing individuals as racists. The definition you presented seems to drop that application which, as Clod said, would preclude any individual from being called racist; unless, their whole cultural social structure exhibited the same behavior. This reeks of agenda. I don't buy it; but, I can see how it would appeal to a connoisseur of poppycock.

I agree and disagree.

I disagree because the definition of racism implies a social doctrine. Even though discrimination and racism are considered synonymous in our society, I would argue that there has to be some social structure behind a racist. This social structure does not have to be very severe, but I believe it has to exist.

I agree because I believe a person can be racist by attempting to promote a prejudice in society. If I somehow promote that Mongolians are lazy and try to get society to embrace that view, I would consider that racism because of the interaction with society. If you discriminate without promoting the behavior I would not consider that racism. It is semantics at this point but I think, for definition sake, they should be separate.


I think this addresses your point?

[sexobon]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

... I think this addresses your point?

I believe there is also induced individual racism. A victim of racism, who has not been a racist, may become a racist if there's no remedy after being victimized due to a dominant racist social structure behind the perpetrator. The victim's social support structure may become racist in response to the victim's situation rather than the other way around. It's a learned behavior that can be taught both ways.

I don't believe discrimination and racism are synonymous. Racism is just one of many forms of discrimination and its relative importance varies among societies around the world.

I do believe that promoting racial prejudice in any way, words (e.g. defamation) or actions (e.g. discrimination), is racism in any instance since even if we had a racism free social structure there would always be individuals who buck the system.