You might be racist if......

DoingItNow2012

I tried to search for a list, I was sure someone would have created one. Really couldn’t find one so, I’m starting my own list that you can add to using some things I thought of, I found and/or pieced together. I decided to do this due to a number of debates including accusations and questions about racism.

Personally, I think you can have racist views no matter your race. Also, you can have racist views towards your own race. However, many use a definition of “racism” that implies a power differential, which is why some say minorities cannot be racist. (I’ve heard the same argument with domestic abuse). I also think it is great and healthy to have this debate and examine our own views. I think the term “race card” is used to derail and dismiss the discussion. I don’t think discussing race causes racism, but I definitely believes it HIGHLIGHTS existing divides. Agree? Disagree?

Anyway, here is my list. I am biased towards indicators focused on Black people, so feel free to help me with indicators I may not have thought of. And of course these aren’t scientific or “the law”. Just some stuff I put down. So please contribute/criticize one way or the other.

YOU MIGHT BE RACIST IF:
• The terms “bad neighborhood”, “poor neighborhood”, and “black neighborhood” are synonymous.
• You take it personal when someone else is called racist.
• You feel the need to point out that Black people or other minorities are even more racist, when accusations of racism arises.
• You think it is unfair you cannot use the “N” word (love that phrase ->)
• You feel the need to justify possible racist views with high crime statistics of Blacks
• You think you are not a racist because you have Black friends.
• You have ever said, “but you’re different”.
• You think it is unfair that there is not a White History month.
• You ever asked. “do you think that was racist?”
• There are certain things you only say around friends of your same race.
• You have ever said “you go girl” to Black woman, but it is not a phrase you normally use.
• You think they all look alike (any race)
• You think Blacks, Asians, White’s, etc are genetically _________
• You always use someone’s race to describe them, or you avoid mentioning race to try not to offend
• You use racial slurs and make racial jokes

DoingItNow2012

I did come across something online that also included descriptions, something I did not do due to time, plus I figure a debate might flesh it out.

Here is the link to give credit. racismschool.tumblr.com/.../you-might-be-a-racist-if-online-edition

You Might be a Racist if… (Online Edition)
((Note: These are all things that crossed my dash in a 90 minute period of time))

Things you can say that would make me think you were a racist and why:
• Your opposition is specific-Your blog is filled with pictures and the only time you post something written is in opposition of the “African American History Museum” or something equally anti- (not your own) race specific.
• You Start your post/comment/reply with “I’m not racist.”-We’ve been through this but just a quick reminder, non-racists don’t need a “Qualifying statement.”
• Race doesn’t exist. It’s a social construct-This is just stupidity. As it was pointed out in the original post, saying “It is a social construct” doesn’t make it “Not real.” Most things we hold true are social constructs so this particular derailment is all kinds of dumb.
• I don’t see color (see also: We’re all human)-We’ve been through this as well but real quick, Example: If you don’t see color that would mean that you see police brutally attacking 100 unarmed people and since you do not see color you will refuse to see it as a racial issue. Even when it is pointed out that this kind of sick **** happens over 87% more often to non-white people. You will not allow yourself to see this as a “Racial issue” because you “Do not see race” and therefore are continuing to be part of the problem simply because you are incapable of being part of the solution. Ya know, ‘cause…color blind and stuff.
• I am Bi-Racial so I know both sides-I CALL BULL****! Um…let me just point something out real, real quick honeybun. If one of your “Halves” is white, you don’t see anything “More clearly” than anyone else. This entire line makes me want to pounce on you and not in the fun sexual way. If you live in America or anywhere that has a predominately white society, NO MATTER YOUR RACE, you know the “White side.” It is the side that is chosen as “The norm.” Because it is “The norm” there is no great challenge to understanding. There is nothing to see more clearly. White is the voice of the nation. EVERYONE HEARS THAT VOICE. On top of that, from one Bi-Racial person to another, I think you are a real ****. That should mean more to you coming from me because ya know, “I see both sides too.” Pfft.
• Every race has been oppressed/enslaved at one time or another-Once again, been there done that. Still, I have yet to see this be brought up in a conversation that was specifically about slavery. This particular form of derailment is pretty damned disgusting because as much as you might like to shout “We were all…at one time” the lasting affects of each particular group IS NOT THE SAME. In order for this argument to be a valid one, the SYSTEMATIC OPPRESSION would have also had to be equal. They were not and are not.

MikeSEA

A friend of a friend is Hispanic. I believe she's second generation, but her family is from Mexico originally. Apparently her grandmother, who is Mexician, will say horrible things about other Mexicans. When confronted with the fact that she, herself, is Mexican, her reply is "Not that kind of Mexican."

It's really about "the Other" and whatever qualities we want to attribute to The Other and then make generalizations about that group. The next step is to use whatever power we have over The Other to marginalize them. That could be based on race, and we call it racism, or it can be based on anything else.

ArroganceInStep

...you think that something like racism can be determined by a checklist.

DoingItNow2012

...you think that something like racism can be determined by a checklist.

LOL, no I do not. racism is way too complicated of an issue. Just though it would trigger a good discussion.

Grimmerick

...you think that something like racism can be determined by a checklist.

LOL, no I do not. racism is way too complicated of an issue. Just though it would trigger a good discussion.

haha I have to admit it reminds me of you might be a redneck if....................lol

ArroganceInStep

...you think that something like racism can be determined by a checklist.

LOL, no I do not. racism is way too complicated of an issue. Just though it would trigger a good discussion.

Fair enough. Racism is an inherent thought that a certain race is better or worse than another. That's not something you can determine 'if you say x, y, or z'. It's the sum of the whole.

DoingItNow2012

...you think that something like racism can be determined by a checklist.

LOL, no I do not. racism is way too complicated of an issue. Just though it would trigger a good discussion.

Fair enough. Racism is an inherent thought that a certain race is better or worse than another. That's not something you can determine 'if you say x, y, or z'. It's the sum of the whole.

No, but there are indicators or commonalitites that are shared with people of a certain view. What is the saying, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck....

Also these are indeed things that would perk my antenae up to see what might be behind it. Like I said, I don't think that someone who might have racist beliefs is necessarily a bad or evil person, but that belief can still be damaging if unchecked. And I just plain ole think that people should be honest to at least themselves, if not everyone else.

DoingItNow2012

...you think that something like racism can be determined by a checklist.

LOL, no I do not. racism is way too complicated of an issue. Just though it would trigger a good discussion.

haha I have to admit it reminds me of you might be a redneck if....................lol

that was my intention, but i'm not so clever i think.

Grimmerick

...you think that something like racism can be determined by a checklist.

LOL, no I do not. racism is way too complicated of an issue. Just though it would trigger a good discussion.

haha I have to admit it reminds me of you might be a redneck if....................lol

that was my intention, but i'm not so clever i think.

oh well then you go girl!! Lol I kid I kid, we have had so many serious racial discussions lately it's nice to have some light hearted ones. I thought they were clever, definitely not all on the mark but that's what helps make them light hearted.

DoingItNow2012

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

...you think that something like racism can be determined by a checklist.

LOL, no I do not. racism is way too complicated of an issue. Just though it would trigger a good discussion.

haha I have to admit it reminds me of you might be a redneck if....................lol

that was my intention, but i'm not so clever i think.

oh well then you go girl!! Lol I kid I kid, we have had so many serious racial discussions lately it's nice to have some light hearted ones. I thought they were clever, definitely not all on the mark but that's what helps make them light hearted.

You actually made me laugh out loud, for real. :laugh: :laugh:

iAMaPhoenix

You think the Trayvon Martin case is about racism...just my two cents.

DoingItNow2012

You think the Trayvon Martin case is about racism...just my two cents.

I don't know if it is, but Ithink it is possible. However, it might be more in reference to the police department. maybe not all out racism per se, but racial stereotyping. I don't mind it being explored. I am interested to see if it plays out that way or not.


lol, Oh wait.... you were adding to the list. LOL, well I left my comment up there anyway. :-)

MassiveDelta

YOU MIGHT BE RACIST IF:
• The terms “bad neighborhood”, “poor neighborhood”, and “black neighborhood” are synonymous.
• You take it personal when someone else is called racist.
• You feel the need to point out that Black people or other minorities are even more racist, when accusations of racism arises.
• You think it is unfair you cannot use the “N” word (love that phrase ->)
• You feel the need to justify possible racist views with high crime statistics of Blacks
• You think you are not a racist because you have Black friends.
• You have ever said, “but you’re different”.
• You think it is unfair that there is not a White History month.
• You ever asked. “do you think that was racist?”
• There are certain things you only say around friends of your same race.
• You have ever said “you go girl” to Black woman, but it is not a phrase you normally use.
• You think they all look alike (any race)
• You think Blacks, Asians, White’s, etc are genetically _________
• You always use someone’s race to describe them, or you avoid mentioning race to try not to offend
• You use racial slurs and make racial jokes

Isnt this racist?

Lozze

OP great post.

- you get more upset over being called racist then the actual racist comments.

TheRoadDog

I've been called a racist because I thought Michael Jackson and OJ Simpson were guilty.

debloves2ride

Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination

Bigotry is the state of mind of a "bigot," a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one who exhibits intolerance or animosity toward members of a group.

These two are very close and people use them interchangeably. I find that bigotry is usually the more prevalent, not racism. I think a lot of the people that call others "racist" or "bigot" are in fact the one that is. If you express an opinion it doesn't make you one.

I also think, in my opinion anyway, that neither bigots or racists will go away until parents stop teaching it to their children.

DoingItNow2012

Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination

Bigotry is the state of mind of a "bigot," a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one who exhibits intolerance or animosity toward members of a group.

These two are very close and people use them interchangeably. I find that bigotry is usually the more prevalent, not racism. I think a lot of the people that call others "racist" or "bigot" are in fact the one that is. If you express an opinion it doesn't make you one.

I also think, in my opinion anyway, that neither bigots or racists will go away until parents stop teaching it to their children.

Agreed, add stereotyping, prejudice, and profiling. All gradiations on a spectrum. Sometimes very hard to differentiate.

DoingItNow2012

YOU MIGHT BE RACIST IF:
• The terms “bad neighborhood”, “poor neighborhood”, and “black neighborhood” are synonymous.
• You take it personal when someone else is called racist.
• You feel the need to point out that Black people or other minorities are even more racist, when accusations of racism arises.
• You think it is unfair you cannot use the “N” word (love that phrase ->)
• You feel the need to justify possible racist views with high crime statistics of Blacks
• You think you are not a racist because you have Black friends.
• You have ever said, “but you’re different”.
• You think it is unfair that there is not a White History month.
• You ever asked. “do you think that was racist?”
• There are certain things you only say around friends of your same race.
• You have ever said “you go girl” to Black woman, but it is not a phrase you normally use.
• You think they all look alike (any race)
• You think Blacks, Asians, White’s, etc are genetically _________
• You always use someone’s race to describe them, or you avoid mentioning race to try not to offend
• You use racial slurs and make racial jokes

Isnt this racist?

No

elmarko123

"You always use someones race to describe them, or you avoid mentioning race to try not to offend"

^

That seems a little unfair, damned if they do - damned if they don't.

"You use racial slurs and make racial jokes"

I also don't think this is that fair, I make race related jokes - but about all races - no subject is "too sensitive to made fun of" - racist jokes are no worse than insulting disabled people, or any cultural group, or any group who has suffered oppression (women, gay people, different ethnic & racial groups).

I'm an equal opportunities offender.

DoingItNow2012

"You always use someones race to describe them, or you avoid mentioning race to try not to offend"

^

That seems a little unfair, damned if they do - damned if they don't.

"You use racial slurs and make racial jokes"

I also don't think this is that fair, I make race related jokes - but about all races - no subject is "too sensitive to made fun of" - racist jokes are no worse than insulting disabled people, or any cultural group, or any group who has suffered oppression (women, gay people, different ethnic & racial groups).

I'm an equal opportunities offender.

true, a little unfair. and true no worse, IMO anyway

Lemme hear one...

Kamikazeflutterby

You think Blacks, Asians, White’s, etc are genetically _________

Y'know, I really, really hate this one. There are genetic differences, and knowing that doesn't make someone racist.

Guess what? Black people are more likely to have sickle cell anemia, white women are more likely to have MS, and all other things being equal light skinned people are easier to see at night.

MassiveDelta

"You always use someones race to describe them, or you avoid mentioning race to try not to offend"

^

That seems a little unfair, damned if they do - damned if they don't.

"You use racial slurs and make racial jokes"

I also don't think this is that fair, I make race related jokes - but about all races - no subject is "too sensitive to made fun of" - racist jokes are no worse than insulting disabled people, or any cultural group, or any group who has suffered oppression (women, gay people, different ethnic & racial groups).

I'm an equal opportunities offender.

true, a little unfair. and true no worse, IMO anyway

Lemme hear one...

Why do polish names end in ..ski

Because they can't spell Toboggan!