Submitted by Black Sheep on Thu, 07/29/2010 - 2:18pm.
I should have requested this in the previous poll, but I'll do so now. Can we get a working definition of racism here?
For reference, my Mac dictionary widget defines racism as "the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, esp. so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or race." Similarly, Merriam-Webster dictionary defines racism as "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race," or "racial prejudice or discrimination."
I tend to focus on the "prejudice or discrimination" side because I mostly don't really care what people think when it comes to race. Behavior is the bottom line for me.
There are a ton of Internet quizzes on this issue and I always score as a racist even though I'm confident I am among the least racist people I know. I'm shocked that early voters in this poll are able to choose the first response (not racist in any way).
Submitted by Black Sheep on Tue, 08/24/2010 - 2:12pm.
I don't think there's a person in the world who isn't "racist" according to a strict definition of the term. We're wired to see patterns and to attribute characteristics to groups, and racial groups are no different. We acquire experiences, and we pre-judge people accordingly. It's only human and, as a result, I think everyone is prejudiced on some level.
But, if that's the case and everyone is technically racist, then there are two practical problems. First, the term loses its importance, or at least its relevance within the context of a political debate. If everyone's racist, it doesn't matter whether _____ individual or group is racist. And second, even if everyone is technically racist, there is a real and important difference between those who work to overcome or ignore their natural presuppositions, and those who feed them. So, I think a practical definition of racist would be useful.
My proposal would be a person who fits either of the first two definitions I offered earlier, or one whose prejudicial beliefs lead them to consistently interact with or judge individuals of _____ race in a harmful or negative manner, solely because of their race.
Submitted by ncThinker on Thu, 07/29/2010 - 9:11pm.
Eugenics (racism) was the brain child of Progressives, and unfortunately, as this poll shows, not much has changed. Racism is intellectual sissyism and says more about the intellectual capacity of the individual than anything else. I've never met an intelligent racist since they don't exist. Shocking! And the stereotype is that we liberal progressives are so much smarter than everybody else, hmmm...
Submitted by ncThinker on Mon, 08/23/2010 - 9:22pm.
Any racist I've met has been a moron. Sorry, it just isn't a coincidence. Let's not confuse freedom of association with racism. If one can demonstrate how skin, hair, eye, or any other pigment or color dictates character, then I may entertain the subject. If not, then this is nothing more than a topic for intellectual sissies.
Submitted by Brunette on Mon, 08/23/2010 - 9:33pm.
You're either very naive or have limited experience if you believe that a person who is a racist is necessarily a moron (and you really aren't one to go lobbing charges of intellectual sissiness, given your rather poor track record for intelligent discourse). One of the most intelligent men I ever knew was a racist. It was very unpleasant, chilling even, to discover that he was on one hand extremely bright and on the other a racist, but there it was, whether I liked it or not.
And he wasn't the only person I've known who was both very intelligent and a racist, and in fact I'm guessing most of us have known people who are both. It's disturbing but not really surprising when you think about how diverse human being are in their ways of thinking.
The fact that one can be intelligent and a racist also shores up my theory that most of us use our intelligence to support emotional or psychological decisions, and not the other way around.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
-Edmund Burke
Submitted by ncThinker on Mon, 08/23/2010 - 9:37pm.
Being articulate doesn't equal intelligence. One can be a brilliant mathematician and not know how to perform a simple task. This person isn't intelligent, only articulate in a particular subject. If you've met people that think skin color is relevant, then they aren't intelligent.
Submitted by Brunette on Tue, 08/24/2010 - 7:32am.
It is interesting that you made the assumption that I did.
What a tiny, tiny little world you live in that you cannot grasp how pervasive racism is throughout human history, and how strongly maintained it is by people of extraordinary intelligence. Thomas Jefferson is an easy example, but there are others, and there is no shortage of people in modern society who are intellectually gifted yet committed to racism or antisemitism, or homophobia, misogyny, etc . . . The list goes on.
It is difficult for me to believe that you are actually as limited in experience as your statements suggest. I think, instead, that your emotional zeal to deplore racism (perhaps in some measure to counter your homophobia) you make an (intellectually) unreasonable declaration.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
-Edmund Burke
Submitted by Black Sheep on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 9:03am.
Eugenics does not equal racism. The two are certainly often found together, but racism has been around far longer than eugenics and far longer than modern Progressives.
Submitted by Black Sheep on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 3:42pm.
Is this a joke? I hope so. Racism and bigotry are as old as humanity is, and examples of racism can be found dating from thousands of years ago and can be found in almost every race on this planet (I'll exclude the handful who don't have regular contact with outside races).
And, just as food for thought, the South was predominantly Democratic at the time of the Civil War.
Submitted by persondem on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 3:27pm.
I have never been able to determine whether or not it is intellectual dishonesty or laziness the allows this crap to perpetuate. Here's a link that includes his actual statement and the associated facts.
And just in case you are too lazy to follow the link here's the concluding statement from the above referenced article:
SO, while quite amusing to see ignorant (emphasis added) people who know nothing about the history of the Internet perpetuate the lie that Al Gore had nothing to do with it. Al Gore did in fact take the initiative in creating the the internet.
He is actually owed quite a bit of thanks and credit for there being an internet today.
Feel free to copy and paste this post to all your likeminded associates.
Submitted by Black Sheep on Mon, 08/02/2010 - 9:27am.
It took a great deal of effort, but I did overcome my inexcusable laziness and followed the link you provided. Thank you for enlightening me. I will pass this information along to everyone else I know who may be tempted to exaggerate Mr. Gore's statement. Together, we can stop satire in it's tracks!
Submitted by ncThinker on Mon, 08/23/2010 - 9:30pm.
Humans aren't perfect and never will be. Unfortunately, some believe that when a human gets elected and joins government, that person somehow is immune from their previously held character defects. The sad fact is, anyone that desires political office is most likely a sociopath and therefore should be feared even more than the average Citizen. Racism, or any other defect found in humans, should not be handled by government, since they are ill-equipped, and not delegated that authority. Government hardly does the few things they are delegated with well, much less steal our money in order to perfect human nature. Again, racism is for idiots and a tool for professional politicians.
This is a follow up to another poll
in which the vast majority of BlueNC readers agreed that racism is "alive and well" in America today. That poll can be found here.
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.
Preliminary Definitions
I should have requested this in the previous poll, but I'll do so now. Can we get a working definition of racism here?
For reference, my Mac dictionary widget defines racism as "the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, esp. so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or race." Similarly, Merriam-Webster dictionary defines racism as "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race," or "racial prejudice or discrimination."
Cheers,
The Black Sheep
Cheers,
The Black Sheep
Either of those work for me
I tend to focus on the "prejudice or discrimination" side because I mostly don't really care what people think when it comes to race. Behavior is the bottom line for me.
There are a ton of Internet quizzes on this issue and I always score as a racist even though I'm confident I am among the least racist people I know. I'm shocked that early voters in this poll are able to choose the first response (not racist in any way).
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.
Join the Club
I don't think there's a person in the world who isn't "racist" according to a strict definition of the term. We're wired to see patterns and to attribute characteristics to groups, and racial groups are no different. We acquire experiences, and we pre-judge people accordingly. It's only human and, as a result, I think everyone is prejudiced on some level.
But, if that's the case and everyone is technically racist, then there are two practical problems. First, the term loses its importance, or at least its relevance within the context of a political debate. If everyone's racist, it doesn't matter whether _____ individual or group is racist. And second, even if everyone is technically racist, there is a real and important difference between those who work to overcome or ignore their natural presuppositions, and those who feed them. So, I think a practical definition of racist would be useful.
My proposal would be a person who fits either of the first two definitions I offered earlier, or one whose prejudicial beliefs lead them to consistently interact with or judge individuals of _____ race in a harmful or negative manner, solely because of their race.
Cheers,
The Black Sheep
Poll says much about BlueNC bloggers
Eugenics (racism) was the brain child of Progressives, and unfortunately, as this poll shows, not much has changed. Racism is intellectual sissyism and says more about the intellectual capacity of the individual than anything else. I've never met an intelligent racist since they don't exist. Shocking! And the stereotype is that we liberal progressives are so much smarter than everybody else, hmmm...
Comment says much about ncThinker
It must be hard to be such a genius when everyone around you is a moron.
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.
Racist = Moron
Any racist I've met has been a moron. Sorry, it just isn't a coincidence. Let's not confuse freedom of association with racism. If one can demonstrate how skin, hair, eye, or any other pigment or color dictates character, then I may entertain the subject. If not, then this is nothing more than a topic for intellectual sissies.
Sadly, this isn't true
You're either very naive or have limited experience if you believe that a person who is a racist is necessarily a moron (and you really aren't one to go lobbing charges of intellectual sissiness, given your rather poor track record for intelligent discourse). One of the most intelligent men I ever knew was a racist. It was very unpleasant, chilling even, to discover that he was on one hand extremely bright and on the other a racist, but there it was, whether I liked it or not.
And he wasn't the only person I've known who was both very intelligent and a racist, and in fact I'm guessing most of us have known people who are both. It's disturbing but not really surprising when you think about how diverse human being are in their ways of thinking.
The fact that one can be intelligent and a racist also shores up my theory that most of us use our intelligence to support emotional or psychological decisions, and not the other way around.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
-Edmund Burke
Being articulate doesn't make one intelligent
Being articulate doesn't equal intelligence. One can be a brilliant mathematician and not know how to perform a simple task. This person isn't intelligent, only articulate in a particular subject. If you've met people that think skin color is relevant, then they aren't intelligent.
No one suggested that
It is interesting that you made the assumption that I did.
What a tiny, tiny little world you live in that you cannot grasp how pervasive racism is throughout human history, and how strongly maintained it is by people of extraordinary intelligence. Thomas Jefferson is an easy example, but there are others, and there is no shortage of people in modern society who are intellectually gifted yet committed to racism or antisemitism, or homophobia, misogyny, etc . . . The list goes on.
It is difficult for me to believe that you are actually as limited in experience as your statements suggest. I think, instead, that your emotional zeal to deplore racism (perhaps in some measure to counter your homophobia) you make an (intellectually) unreasonable declaration.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
-Edmund Burke
It must be hard to be such a
It can be challenging at times. Thank you for caring. We all have our individual burdens:)
You must think someone here cares what you think.
Why?
Stan Bozarth
Headed Off Track
Eugenics does not equal racism. The two are certainly often found together, but racism has been around far longer than eugenics and far longer than modern Progressives.
Cheers,
The Black Sheep
Cheers,
The Black Sheep
Racism and bigotry were invented by
rich white guys who are now registered as Republicans, not much of this has changed either......
And Mr. Gore Invented the Internet
Is this a joke? I hope so. Racism and bigotry are as old as humanity is, and examples of racism can be found dating from thousands of years ago and can be found in almost every race on this planet (I'll exclude the handful who don't have regular contact with outside races).
And, just as food for thought, the South was predominantly Democratic at the time of the Civil War.
Cheers,
The Black Sheep
Cheers,
The Black Sheep
of Al Gore and the internet
I have never been able to determine whether or not it is intellectual dishonesty or laziness the allows this crap to perpetuate. Here's a link that includes his actual statement and the associated facts.
A little truth, just for you
And just in case you are too lazy to follow the link here's the concluding statement from the above referenced article:
Feel free to copy and paste this post to all your likeminded associates.
Environmental Defense Fund
Cell phones will be to the 21st century what tobacco was to the 20th.
Thank Goodness Links are Easier to Open than Lockboxes
It took a great deal of effort, but I did overcome my inexcusable laziness and followed the link you provided. Thank you for enlightening me. I will pass this information along to everyone else I know who may be tempted to exaggerate Mr. Gore's statement. Together, we can stop satire in it's tracks!
Cheers,
The Black Sheep
Cheers,
The Black Sheep
Human imperfections
Humans aren't perfect and never will be. Unfortunately, some believe that when a human gets elected and joins government, that person somehow is immune from their previously held character defects. The sad fact is, anyone that desires political office is most likely a sociopath and therefore should be feared even more than the average Citizen. Racism, or any other defect found in humans, should not be handled by government, since they are ill-equipped, and not delegated that authority. Government hardly does the few things they are delegated with well, much less steal our money in order to perfect human nature. Again, racism is for idiots and a tool for professional politicians.
Kool-Aid Anyone?
Someone has been well educated in government controlled compulsory public schools. Care for some grape Kool-Aid with that blue pill?
Yep it was a joke, just like
some of your posts. Hahahahah!
Potent Potables
This reminds me of those old Celebrity Jeopardy skits from SNL, the ones with Sean Connery. Those were hilarious.
Cheers,
The Black Sheep
Cheers,
The Black Sheep
I love that show.
Always have.
Do good. Be nice. Have fun.