It's possible to sometimes do or say racist things and not be a racist
StanScratch
My Penis Is Dancing!
It is quite possible - however, when one becomes obsessed with the "problems" of another race, and is unable to make a first impression past the color of a person's skin, that person quite easily climbs into the uniform of a racist.
True. For instance the false perception that Welfare is a "black problem" when recipients are divided pretty evenly between whites, blacks and hispanics. (http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/character/fy2009/tab08.htm) Of course, this does kind of reinforce positive stereotypes about Asians, who don't seem to use welfare hardly at all...
Damnit! I'm being racist again!
Mayhem
Banned
There are plenty of people who are ready to play the "you're a racist" card if you so much as mention race. And you can't have a public discussion without some nimrod coming along and doing just that. Bring up the Confederate flag, you're a racist. Talk about gangs, you're a racist. Mention unemployment or housing, wait for it......yup, you're a racist.
Ace Bandage
The one and only.
I keep a few token Black friends around in order to give the appearance that I'm not racist. But it's all a ruse.
I know that I'm guilty of this - when I hear someone with an accent from the American South, I immediately assume they're stupid. Seriously, I'm not proud of it, and I am doing my best to stop thinking this way, but it is hard to rid yourself of prejudice.
Feel free to flame me for this.
Feel free to flame me for this.
bahodeme
Closed Account
I guess one example was Howard Cosell while watching Alvin Garrett of the Washington Redskins during Monday Night Football saying "look at the monkey go!". Looking at Howard's history with Ali and others, I don't think he meant it as a racial remark, but for some it was taken as that. There are other times when there are terms used by different ethnic groups amongst each other where, if a person from a different group where to use it, then they would be called racist.
Look at the England football team right now, England captain John Terry called another player a 'black cu*t' and although wrong the guy is simply an ignorant uneducated dick from a crummy background, in effect he's too dumb to be a racist and the player he abused is more white than black. Now this whole saga has been dragged through the media for months and the England manager actually resigned yesterday over the issue, I'm not saying what he said should be ignored but the guys simply too dumb and ignorant to understand the complications of those few words he said, he probably calls all his team mates black cu*ts without a second thought and they probably accept it realising he's just ignorant/poorly mannered rather than a hardcore racist.
PirateKing
█▀█▀█ █ █
It's complex. There are people who tiptoe around certain words or actions that may make them seem racist and then there are people who just don't give a fuck about humorous stereotypes and such because in their heart they know they aren't racist. It's hard to say which is racist and which is not, it depends on perspective. As Stan points out though, a true racist is someone who singles out a race and attributes any given problem to that race then actually acts on that hate. To be honest the race card is played a lot, and it's caused the problem to become even worse. These days it's mostly implicit racism or reverse racism. People who are implicitly racist don't really realize they are being racist, it's just a subconscious thing. When someone points the finger at them they freak out and start to complile reasons why this cannot be true (i.e. "I know some black guys, "I love Mexican food", "I want to bang this asian actress" ect.).Then there are reverse racists, who are the "I am sympathetic to the plight of your people!" people or the crusaders who look for anything that might be racist and go on a full attack. It's a little ridiculous.
In point, many people just can't help seeing things in terms of race and they have their own mechanism on how they deal with it.
In point, many people just can't help seeing things in terms of race and they have their own mechanism on how they deal with it.
Sam Fisher
Banned
He did it one other time, too. The St. Louis Cardinals were on television one night. Willy McGee was at bat and Howard Cosell said he looked like E.T.
bahodeme
Closed Account
You forgot one of the main quotes "I have a friend who is (insert group that was offended)."
bahodeme
Closed Account
Saying a black person looks like E.T., or even Gremlin is different than calling them a monkey.
DR. B
Closed Account
Im racist in my house.... just like you guys...... but when I'm out in the world, I'm an angel. In fact I helped this African-American lady with the door, but when I get home..... I'll be calling her names, yep..... I will. One of my best friends is African-American and when he's around, we're the best of friends, but when he's not around.... oh yeah, I be calling him racist names. It's what we do
Sam Fisher
Banned
BINGO! We have a winner. See, what one person might consider RACIST, another doesn't.
Racism has always existed and it always will exist. And, the notion that only white people are racist boils my blood.
DR. B
Closed Account
calling a african-american a monkey isn't racist, thats just name calling. calling them the "N" word isn't raci...... you know what, thats just name calling as well. jeepers..... I don't think I even know what being a racist is....
*smh
bahodeme
Closed Account
Racism is not specific to one particular ethnicity. There are times were I have heard the ignorance from groups be it T.V., radio, in person because I fit into their group or over the phone because my voice is nondiscript besides my accent. So the shit I have heard/hear borders between comical and sad because they really do not know whether I am that group or am a relation to it.
The monkey part was used to describe Black people for years (depicting them with tails, etc.). So for Howard that should have been known and he said a few more times including the replay.
Now, I don't know whether you're joking by typing this, but I can imagine you just like everybody else doesn't know a thing about what really happened...so everything you say regarding this is just speculation.
And in regards to the subject of this thread, racism is human nature...it is a survival mechanism. EVERYBODY is racist regardless of which race you are, not just white folks...it's just a matter of HOW racist are you, I personally measure this in terms of levels.
I can imagine a long time ago when we lived in tribes, it was a good idea to stay within places where people looked like you and stay away from (and be conscious of) those who looked different, this was of course because they'd probably end up killing you.
We (races) are different in some ways and similar in others...it is actually natural to exhibit low-level racism, everyone does it IMO.
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