Does anyone actually buy into the "everyone is racist" campaign?

[Nakura Chambers]

A growing trend in society is that you can immediately attack any political opponent without addressing any of their policies by claiming that they are "racist." Not only does it often times paint a negative picture of your opponent, but it also stifles any discussion over important topics that affect society.

"Don't like the European Union? You're racist!"
"Don't support banning guns? You're racist!"
"Want to have control over your own borders? You're racist!"
"Think immigrants should integrate into society? You're racist!"
"Think your taxes are too high? You're racist!"

I'm really curious to see if anyone actually falls for this kind of propaganda. In the United States, many left-wing groups accused all (or most) Republicans of being "pure racists," yet they just won the 2014 midterm elections. Given that they recently won the midterms in a landslide, is it safe to assume most people don't buy into the "anything my opponent says/does is racist" campaign? The same can be said for many European political parties. In the United Kingdom, some political agents accused the UK Independence Party and it's leader of being "hardline racists and fascists," yet these allegations were all proven false and today they represent between 20%-30% of the public.

There absolutely are a few racists left in the Western world, nobody is denying that, but the idea that everyone is racist (even if they don't know it) or that a significant portion (anything over 5%, and that's being generous) of the population is racist, is ridiculous. Do you personally believe in the "everyone is racist" campaign? And if so, could you please elaborate on why you believe in it?

[Thes]

People don't apparently even know what racist means these days...

[Nakura Chambers]

People don't apparently even know what racist means these days...

You dare criticize my definition of racism? How racist of you!

I kid, I kid. You're okay, Thes.

[Endus]

There's more than "a few racists" left around.

Racism isn't always overt. And, in a time when we recognize that "being racist" is a "bad thing", being labelled as a racist feels like an attack, making people get defensive and antagonistic rather than self-reflective. Those called out as racists frantically try and provide the reasoning behind their beliefs, without realizing that their reasoning is completely irrelevant.

By providing their argument, they're just explaining why, and how, they're racist. Not that they somehow aren't racist.

And it isn't just racism. This ties into bigotry towards the gender spectrum, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, everything.

It's pretty darned simple. If you feel, consciously or subconsciously, that one of the aspects of these factors is "better" than another, whether it's that one aspect is "best" or another is "worst", you're a bigot. It doesn't matter if you think being transgender is "sick", or that Muslims are "dangerous", or blacks are "violent", or women are "bad at math". It's all bigotry. And providing your justification behind that stance does not make it not bigotry. It's just you explaining why you're a bigot. Which is not, in any way, a defense. It's a description of exactly where you went wrong, which is why you'll never convince anyone.

[Deleted]

I just enjoy throwing spanners into the machine.

[Nihilan]

Everyone is racist in their own way. Even if only subtly so. It may not be intentional. One might not even be aware of it. That does not mean it isnt there all the same, insidiously effecting your judgement or world view.

[Trassk]

Can't... resist..

[Elegiac]

Considering one of the pillars of Republican support is implicit racism against blacks....yeah, I buy it. The Southern Strategy still forms a cornerstone of GOP electoral politics.

[Kalis]

In the United Kingdom, some political agents accused the UK Independence Party and it's leader of being "hardline racists and fascists," yet these allegations were all proven false...

When were they proven false?

[Independent voter]

When people say everyone is racist they mean in the same way people say everyone is a sinner. Racism affects us all and the only way to combat it is to accept it, understand it and to try to prevent it from harming others.

[Kacey]

I'm racist. But I'm very subtle about it.

[nextormento]

There's more than "a few racists" left around.

Racism isn't always overt. And, in a time when we recognize that "being racist" is a "bad thing", being labelled as a racist feels like an attack, making people get defensive and antagonistic rather than self-reflective. Those called out as racists frantically try and provide the reasoning behind their beliefs, without realizing that their reasoning is completely irrelevant.

By providing their argument, they're just explaining why, and how, they're racist. Not that they somehow aren't racist.

And it isn't just racism. This ties into bigotry towards the gender spectrum, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, everything.

It's pretty darned simple. If you feel, consciously or subconsciously, that one of the aspects of these factors is "better" than another, whether it's that one aspect is "best" or another is "worst", you're a bigot. It doesn't matter if you think being transgender is "sick", or that Muslims are "dangerous", or blacks are "violent", or women are "bad at math". It's all bigotry. And providing your justification behind that stance does not make it not bigotry. It's just you explaining why you're a bigot. Which is not, in any way, a defense. It's a description of exactly where you went wrong, which is why you'll never convince anyone.

This is such a reductionist explanation that it's cringe worthy.

Look, when I argue that a burka is a tool of domination over the female body, I'm working for equality on one area: gender. however, I'll get tagged a bigot for not respecting a culture: one that many women self-impose and will affirm they enjoy. Of course, that won't detract me: they're blinded by their culture into submission (so much as internalized misogyny).

When I argue that gypsy culture in my country is a beautiful thing, I'll be branded a bigot: for they impose a very clear gender divide (it's highly patriarchal: females lead the family, males lead the community). Yet their culture is one of familiar ties, in which females are strong, dress beautifully, are encouraged to work if they so desire, and are praised if they choose to be nurturers.

If I work towards equality on one aspect, I'll be destroying some other. It's not a zero sum, but there are tug of war dynamics in place.Under your analysis, everyone is a bigot (thus the song everyone is a little bit racist). Under that scope, the word bigot loses every sense, so you may as well just drop it.

There's only one way to make sense of the reductionist approach: posit that there exists some ideal state under which everyone is equal and yet have no desire to differentiate themselves. This utopia runs counter to history, economics, society, and nature. For we aspire to differentiate ourselves. You see how we're working towards gender equality, and towards sexual preference equality too. Yet, the more we do, the more people want to find a difference: thus the gender identity atomization we're going through: trans people, transvestites, drags, queers, non binary... Mind you, those people were there all along: they simply have a way to shine now, because everything else is more equal. Equality engenders differentiation: diversity. That's why I support equality (of opportunity) in a broad sense: because it diversifies cultures and underscores our need to be different.

But back to the utopia. There's only so much one can think about when trying to homogenize the diversity we have: apply your own standard. Which is admirably bigoted in a sense: it ignores the whole world in which we are immersed. Gender dynamics, ethnic dynamics, and every bit of differentiation work in many different ways in different corners of the world. This is why social justice nuts often align with totalitarian politics, but I digress... Your idea that people think some sub demographic is better or worse is unfounded: people analyze how cultures mess together and deem one more suitable to their living standards. This is why some cultures are better than others: no because they are, but because they offer better approaches to each of us. And each of those cultures will have different approaches to their gender/ethnic/whatever dynamics: whenever you establish yourself as the defacto ruler on what is and what is not bigoted, you are the bigot. inb4 you can't be bigoted against bigots: yes you can; for the purpose of this exercise, we're taking the meaningless approach you take on bigotry (as I outlined above): insofar as everyone is a little bit bigoted, you are bigoted too, and so am I; against the differences we personally don't like.

When people tell you that intent matters, you take the thought-crime approach. Well, no: they're simply living a in a social bubble different than yours. And as long as your kin keep parroting this slander strategy we won't be able to address real issues. It's pretty darned simple.

[Tailswipe]

It's pretty darned simple. If you feel, consciously or subconsciously, that one of the aspects of these factors is "better" than another, whether it's that one aspect is "best" or another is "worst", you're a bigot. It doesn't matter if you think being transgender is "sick", or that Muslims are "dangerous", or blacks are "violent", or women are "bad at math". It's all bigotry. And providing your justification behind that stance does not make it not bigotry. It's just you explaining why you're a bigot. Which is not, in any way, a defense. It's a description of exactly where you went wrong, which is why you'll never convince anyone.

By that definition pretty much everyone is a bigot.

[taliey]

I guess Mark Cuban made a good argument.

But racism is such a charged, loaded word.

The better term would be prejudiced.

Also, you again, Nakura Chambers.

[Dezerte]

I have no problem admitting that I subconsciously judge people. But I'm aware of it, I know that it's unfair to treat people according to the prejudice I have. So I try to not let my prejudice effect how I treat people.

[Lothaeryn]

I have no problem admitting that I subconsciously judge people. But I'm aware of it, I know that it's unfair to treat people according to the prejudice I have. So I try to not let my prejudice effect how I treat people.

This is the ideal scenario of society. understanding and accepting that there will always be a personal bias against everything, and striving to not let it be the factor of judging others. Everyone is prejudiced in some fashion, whether they are aware of it or not. it is, however, the responsibility of the individual to identify that fault of themselves and ensure they are giving everyone the benefit of the doubt and to judge others on their merits, not your preconceived notions about them.

[Deleted]

Well a lot of people blatantly are racist, sexist, capitalist, ignoring openborder policy treaties they signed or crazy gunnuts denying facts.

I've said and tought racist/sexist/ ...-ist things aswel, I'm not trying to justify it, I call it what it is and I'm honest about it, everybody makes mistakes.
Does that make me a women/homophobic/immigrant-hater? Well, no, saying something racist does not necessarily make you racist, it just means that you where thinking illogical for a moment.

Being honest and standing open for argument is the key that racists, sexists and homophobes don't have.

Also, those poll answers are very limited and push a standpoint.

- - - Updated - - -

I have no problem admitting that I subconsciously judge people. But I'm aware of it, I know that it's unfair to treat people according to the prejudice I have. So I try to not let my prejudice effect how I treat people.

This sums up better what I was trying to say xd

[zealo]

Not everyone is racist no.

People like to accuse them of such for simply trying to have a reasonable debate about something like immigration over here, that however does not inherently make one a racist, even if you can see its not working out for reasons such as economy, logistics and housing you can be labelled one in order for people to avoid discussing slightly unpleasant topics.

[Mayhem]

well there´s a difference in being a bigot and acting on your bigotry ... everyone can have their opinion, i will however challange them if i get the chance, but acting on your opinions is another story

[Nakura Chambers]

Well a lot of people blatantly are racist, sexist, capitalist, ignoring openborder policy treaties they signed or crazy gunnuts denying facts.

I've said and tought racist/sexist/ ...-ist things aswel, I'm not trying to justify it, I call it what it is and I'm honest about it, everybody makes mistakes.
Does that make me a women/homophobic/immigrant-hater? Well, no, saying something racist does not necessarily make you racist, it just means that you where thinking illogical for a moment.

Being honest and standing open for argument is the key that racists, sexists and homophobes don't have.

Also, those poll answers are very limited and push a standpoint.

What's wrong with being capitalistic, owning guns and/or being skeptical of further European integration?