My definition of "racism"

[William Seger]

In one thread, "'Jesse Jackson is a racist.'-countless conservatives", there is request to define "racist" and a response, "I define a racist as someone who discriminates based on race."

I think that definition is part of the problem. Right wingers call anyone who supports Affirmative Action a racist because AA requires "discrimination based on race". But that characterization is only meaningful using the literal definition of the word "discrimination" (as in, "I discriminate when I select a brand of soda"), when in fact, following the Civil Rights movement, "discrimination" has become a euphemism or a shorthand for racial bigotry in action, which is an injustice. It's really the bigotry that's the root of the problem, but I think that euphemism has come about because bigotry is an attitude whereas discrimination is an action, and legislation needs to define illegal actions, not attitudes.

So, I think a more accurate definition of racism would be "discrimination based on racial bigotry". By that definition, Affirmative Action is certainly not racist because its "discrimination" is based on a sense of justice.

One of the most ourtrageous and infuriating agendas of "conservatism" in the last few decades has been promoting the claim that liberals are the real racists because they want to write laws that reference race, whereas "conservatives" promote "color-blind" laws with no mention of race. Of course, what they really want is a society where individuals and institutions can practice their numerous bigotries without breaking any laws. But we already know that color-blind laws don't insure a color-blind society -- we've already been there.

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Just breezing thru.

Bigotry is discrimination based on race.

Racism is bigotry with a superiority attitude. (As in genetically better.)

[4323Lopez]

2. I agree

You have to be somewhat in a "position of power" to be a racist, and can negatively affect peoples lives with your power.
Anyone can be prejudiced, no position of power.

[HFishbine]

3. Tough to nail the subtle distinctions

Here are my definitions:

RACIST: One who believes that people of a particular skin color or heritage are superior to others.

example: David Duke is a racist. White supremisist, by definition, are racists. They beleive that white people are superior.

PREJUDICE: To hold a preconceived negative opinion of people based on appearance, religion or class.

example: The guy who says, "Those people smell funny" -- not a judgement of superiority as is racism, but a sweeping generalization not based on specifics.

BIGOT: One who is intolerant of people of different appearance, gender, religion or class. Does not require a judgement of superiority.

examples: Louis Farakahn and Archie Bunker.

RACIAL DESCRIMINATION: When one is guided by their racism and or/bigotry to give preference in a decision.

In this sense affirmative action cannot be racist because it is not based on the belief that a particular group of people are superior or on an intolerance of a particular group.

The bigot and the racist can both act on their prejudices to exercise racial descrimination.

[ForestsBeatBushes]

4. A dictionary definition of "racism"

racism, racialist - noun

1. the belief that races have distinctive cultural characteristics determined by hereditary factors and that this endows some races with an intrinsic superiority over others


racist, racialist - noun, adjective

2. abusive or aggressive behaviour towards members of another race on the basis of such a belief


http://www.wordreference.com/english/definition.asp?en=racism

[Festivito]

5. Racism was meant to mean ignoble racism.

To be racist FOR egalitarianism is noble. Given that whites hold a superior position in government, business, and wealth it benefits democracy to uplift those who need uplifting. This helps form a more perfect union, our Constitutional duty.

There is noble discrimination, prejudice, and, why not, racism if they are noble means consistant with a noble end.

The opposing ignoble descrimination, predudice and racism harm our democracy and nation watering down the effectiveness of those equals who vote, deciding our actions.

It is the ambiguity of noble and or ignoble that drives us to define racism. Of course we meant ignoble racism.

And, the idea of those in superior positions to use race, gender, orientation, et. al. to further their own religion or power in these United States is anathema to our country's heritage even to its very existence.

[noiretextatique]

6. divide and conquer racism

is what the rw practices. the real problem is that too many who shouldn't fall for it do. i met a young lady recently, a recent college graduate, who was telling me how proud she was that she stopped being "liberal" and had gone over to the dark side. then she said" "i can't stand jesse jackson or al sharpton." i told her she was being manipulated by faux news, among others, and that she seemed more like a brainwashed clone than the independent thinker she claimed to be. i said a lot more too. by the end of our converstation, she promised to do some more thinking about abadoning liberalism to spout rw talking points, like a mindelss robot, under the guise of being a free thinker.