Has 'Racism' lost its meaning?

[Hammerfest]

The definition I live by when it comes to the word "racism" is simply assigning personality characteristics to someone based solely on their race. Like going up to a black guy who happens to have been raised on a horse ranch in the Dakotas and assuming he listens to Jay Z. The assumption made in that example is that because he is black, he likes rap music and his individual background is either overlooked or disregarded. Assuming a white person is rich or privileged in some way is another example. It works in reverse too... assuming an asian person is good at math or knows martial arts... assuming that attorneys with Jewish names are going to be better than ones who don't. It takes many forms.

[Deleted]

Praseodymium?

A five letter word.

[Puupi]

A five letter word.

Prude? /10prprpr

[Deleted]

Poland isn't a 3rd world country.

As a Pole I can tell you it pretty close to being one.

[Zigrifid]

Imo it has, since people overuse it for just about anything , its exactly like the "rape" word since "new" feminists use it for about anything (ex. stare-rape lolz). When you use a powerful word like those 2 for about anything instead of its true purpose then yeah it looses its meaning.

[thoruga]

Yes I agree the word racist is being overused.
Yes, both examples OP gives isn't actually racism.
Yes, OP's example isn't actually racism but he does insult a country and he's wrong and deserves being flamed. For the lack of a better term for insulting a country needlessly I don't really blame those people for calling OP a racist. It's the same mentality with racism.
As for the second, I've been in Sweden I've seen so many swedes using random English insults without thinking much over it, he was probably just rambling or drunk or something.

[Puupi]

As a Pole I can tell you it pretty close to being one.

But technically it isn't. It's a second world country. You are mixing underdeveloped country (which it isn't), developing country (which it is), and developed country (which it isn't) with 1st-3rd world country, which are entirely different things.

[Zelk]

Being prejudiced about people from another country, and believing yourself to be better because you're from a different country is most definitely racism. Racism is the belief that a group of people are inherently superior to those around them.

[Ghostpanther]

This reminds me. My cousin accused her dad of being "racist towards old people" last time I overheard them having an argument.

People are quick to call someone a racist because they simply have a preference for something. When having a preference does not mean you hate the other, will treat them badly or mistrust them. But people think it is racism of the other because they do not feel that way. A example would be someone who prefers to date a blond. The brunettes , black haired and red heads would call him a racist. And same could be said of the color of eyes. A person prefers and enjoys to look at a person with blue eyes and some would auto call them a racist because of it.

[Velaniz]

Well, it doesn't seem to have lost its meaning, as much as it seems that it just has its meaning warped a lot of the time specifically for the purpose of being used as a shutdown in discussions where your criticism over a group of people who happen to share the same skin colour in common.

[Deleted]

Question other country morality? Racism!
Don't like your own country? Racism!
Hate your own city? Racism!
Yell at thief? Racism!
Police doing their job? Racism!
You don't tolerate your lousy noisy neighbors that make noise/throw garbage around house? Racism!
When in doubt, racism!

[ItachiZaku]

Well, the world is changing and trying to be as PC as possible (everyone gets butthurt over something), and I've tried to go the other way with these things. I will opening throw faggot and my nigga around (I find NiggER racist, but NiggA means friend) and those have absolutely nothing to do with gay or black people. Not anymore. Not when those words are used so freely in media and entertainment. Hell, the very offensive "Redskin" is a sports name for fuck sake, that's the other mean that has plopped itself up. People just need to learn to lighten the fuck up.

[Ghostpanther]

Imo it has, since people overuse it for just about anything , its exactly like the "rape" word since "new" feminists use it for about anything (ex. stare-rape lolz). When you use a powerful word like those 2 for about anything instead of its true purpose then yeah it looses its meaning.

Good points. I do not like to use the word "rape" in any application other than it's intended use. Why? Because to use the term loosely, can show disrespect for the victims. Some terms should not be addressed carelessly or in a joking manner.

[MerinPally]

Extremely relevant:



It's not you, it's them.

[Kalis]

Good points. I do not like to use the word "rape" in any application other than it's intended use. Why? Because to use the term loosely, can show disrespect for the victims. Some terms should not be addressed carelessly or in a joking manner.

What do you think the 'intended' use of the word rape is?

[TEHPALLYTANK]

What do you think the 'intended' use of the word rape is?

It certainly isn't intended to be used in place of words like ogle or leer.

[Zelk]

What do you think the 'intended' use of the word rape is?

When a footballer embarrasses a defender, it is correct to say that he "rapes" them.

[MerinPally]

Good points. I do not like to use the word "rape" in any application other than it's intended use. Why? Because to use the term loosely, can show disrespect for the victims. Some terms should not be addressed carelessly or in a joking manner.

Rape has a very specific meaning, it's not you who's using it wrong but rather the new wave feminists. Instead of using words for what they mean, they try to tell you that the definition is wrong and it means a plethora of things. The legal definition of rape is rather specific, and simply looking at someone in a carpark does not qualify. Keep in mind the same people argue that you cannot be racist towards white people because apparently you can't be racist to the person in power, it's a top down discrimination - which is bull.

[ItachiZaku]

What do you think the 'intended' use of the word rape is?

I will admit, this is one word that I do tend to use a bit more cautiously. I have a friend from high school that was raped, a good respectable girl with two autistic children. She was always nice to everyone and a real sweetheart. After reconnecting after a decade, I tend to be less careless in using that word as a random adjective.

[Puupi]

What do you think the 'intended' use of the word rape is?

When someone orders a well done beef steak, that is rape.