Originally Posted by
Siverna
I understanding that it is not out in the open as back in the day because it also doesn't happen in front of your eyes. I might be misunderstanding what you are saying (please tell me if I am), but you make it sound like since it isn't as more widespread as back in the day, it's not that bad that it's still here. All forms of racism is wrong against any race. I don't care if it doesn't happen as much as before, racism is evil.
Also reading posts back, I don't understand where people are getting the idea racism is human nature. Racism is a learned behavior. Even if you have the belief that racism is part of human nature, it is a weakness.
I was reading a thread on if racism is human nature and I liked this guy's post"
"It is natural to fear what is unknown. Not to hate what is different. Hatred of anything needs to be learned, it is a complex emotion. Fear can turn into hatred, but as Alexa says, it is a weakness.
As such though, at least in most Westernized countries, people of different skin tones are not unknown and racism is something most definitely learned, and now usually quite covert and not even identified by many harboring it.
Historically there is no evidence that upon one group of people initially running into another group of people, that there was any fear or hatred. The first American pilgrims got along fine with Native Americans for example, it was not until some saw an opportunity to take land, that a "hatred" was developed by many. The hatred was an excuse, the difference in physical appearance was an excuse that is, to gain. And it is the stupid and weak who have nothing to gain yet fall for prejudices anyway. Likewise, slavery was nothing more than free labor. It was for gain, and it was to excuse an injustice that the idea that this group of humans were somehow less human was first introduced.
Another example is children. Toddlers do not discriminate at all with whom they play with. They don't fear and don't segregate. If it were natural they would. It could be said I suppose that toddlers don't have the capacity yet to understand, and indeed it could be said they do stupid things all the time. But a toddler is perfectly capable of having developed other natural fears like heights or fire, yet still they do not fear those who are a different skin tone.
The argument that it is natural, which I have seen lately, is old. It is also not based on a bit of empirical evidence.
The odd thing about it now is that you see it more I think. I believe this is due to one thing. I think that the covert racism which replaced the apparent racism in the 70's and 80's is finally being exposed more.
I believe that many, upon reflection as was shown in the study documented in "The Color of Hate", who once saw themselves as not prejudiced, are discovering on some level that they are indeed.
The natural reaction any who have in their action or thought gone against what they believe overtly to be right, generally wish to excuse this action in one form or another.
Introducing the idea that perhaps it is natural, instead of something one has control over, is a comfortable response.
It is incorrect though.
Racism stems from greed, not ignorance or nature. It is spread through ignorance though. A white family on welfare will blame a black family on welfare for them being on welfare. Neither gains a thing.
Something is gained by convincing a poor white family living in a trailer park for example that a group of people are to blame for such a condition, and not a system or business or other entity in power.
Something is gained by blaming Mexicans for taking jobs. The reality is illegal immigration is down 67% since the 90's. And the lack of jobs is a systemic problem born of far more complex things like outsourcing, unfair trade practices, tax shelters and more. It is easier to blame a group of people, and as long as a group of people are blamed, those who benefit from both the cheap labor of illegal immigration, and those who benefit from the real villains of outsourcing and unfair trade, are safe.
Racism is not natural, but it is a tool used for power historically. Any who fall for it indeed are quite weak and very dumb. Any who instigate it for gain are simply evil."