Is being branded racist for opinions/concerns making us ("more") racist?

[The Last Sunbro]

Had this come up in a conversation with a tenant. He is convinced that the trend of branding people racists when they have differing opinions is diminishing what is and isn't actual racism, and through that, making actual racism that much more "acceptable" or at least blurring the lines between reasonable concerns and blatant prejudice.

I don't have a particular opinion made on this, but i do find the trend of "You don't want to do x for y? You must be Yphobic!" as a conversational roadblock to be a disgusting practice that keeps issues from being talked about seriously.

So discuss? opinions? Do forum stuff, and make that mmo-cMagic happen.

[Jonnusthegreat]

I find that people that accuse others of being racist are usually the most racist of all, since most of their world view revolves around race being the deciding factor in everything.

[Revi]

I think there's truth to that. The "racist/xenophobe/bigot card" is used so frequently that it's lost all the oomph it used to have. So now there's really no words to identify and distinguish real racism, xenophobia and bigotry.

When you group everyone who doesn't share the most "progressive" view in with the truly hateful people, you give those people a cloak to hide behind. They're no longer a separate group, they're lumped in with legitimate opinions. You basically give them a sense of shared identity.

The words are incredibly bad in any political discussion though. They contribute nothing to the conversation except giving people an easy way out of having to counter actual arguments. The conversation doesn't move forward, you make people go on the defensive, and ruin the best chances of coming to a compromise or getting anyone to actually change their minds.

[BuckSparkles]

Had this come up in a conversation with a tenant. He is convinced that the trend of branding people racists when they have differing opinions is diminishing what is and isn't actual racism, and through that, making actual racism that much more "acceptable" or at least blurring the lines between reasonable concerns and blatant prejudice.

I don't have a particular opinion made on this, but i do find the trend of "You don't want to do x for y? You must be Yphobic!" as a conversational roadblock to be a disgusting practice that keeps issues from being talked about seriously.

So discuss? opinions? Do forum stuff, and make that mmo-cMagic happen.

Actually, I would say yes. Nothing is more annoying than to be screamed at and called a _____phobe or racist, sexist, whatever if you have any kind of critique.

While this mostly happens online, it still in my opinion would stir up resentment.

[BuckSparkles]

Mostly its this. "I am not a bigot, I just don't think gay people should be able to get married and are a lesser person"! How dare you not tolerate my intolerance!

I don't think I have seen anybody seriously state this.

You are the type who breeds resentment.

[The Last Sunbro]

While this mostly happens online, it still in my opinion would stir up resentment.

Indeed. Now that i think a little more on it, it actually kind of just belittles your own cause.

[BuckSparkles]

Indeed. Now that i think a little more on it, it actually kind of just belittles your own cause.

Truth. When you have a group who tries to shame anybody with anything resembling a different view, they eventually will lose support when even moderate people with as stated, legit concern or opinions, are quickly applied a label and demonized.

[PC2]

Mostly its this. "I am not a bigot, I just don't think gay people should be able to get married and are a lesser person"! How dare you not tolerate my intolerance!

The point is don't get so angsty about a non-issue, gays can marry and have all the rights of straight people.

[TITAN308]

I find that people that accuse others of being racist are usually the most racist of all

This has been my opinion as well.

Projecting comes to mind.

[Kraenen]

It's awfully protectionist, which can actually serve to deflect any criticism of real problems facing a race/culture/group (case in point: rape in germany by immigrants was kept quiet by police for fear of being called xenophobic). And protecting a group from criticism based on race is racism.

In a way if you see any little thing as racist, like even just mentioning the race of a person involved "this black guy stole a bike", the other person will of course question why you mention the race of the person. But this also implies an internalized racism on the part of the listener/complainer, as they are the one to connect the dots just as much, if not more so than the person making the statement.

[BuckSparkles]

This has been my opinion as well.

Projecting comes to mind.

Like our dear friend Al Sharpton.

That guy clearly has issues.

[Sunseeker]

Well, yes, loose use of the word "racism" devalues the word, that's how language works. This applies to any word. But A lot of people use "In my not so humble opinion." as some kind of defense card against being called out for being a horrible jackass. It's not a defense, it's even an explicit statement that your following statement is entirely based upon nothing more than the scent of your farts that morning.

[BuckSparkles]

Right. I just find its mostly someone playing the victim and are mad that people don't defend them saying bigoted/racist things.

If somebody says something truly awful, than sure, its appropriate.

The question is what is racist and what is not? And what happens when somebody takes things out of context or stretches to try to paint somebody as that?

[Zoaric]

Probably. People start building annoyance and resentment eventually.

[Deleted]

Actually, I would say yes. Nothing is more annoying than to be screamed at and called a _____phobe or racist, sexist, whatever if you have any kind of critique.

While this mostly happens online, it still in my opinion would stir up resentment.

Pretty much, I keep opinions on these matter to myself off the internet because being called a racist by a hypocrite coworker is annoying...I can't click away his chat window. :P

[BuckSparkles]

Pretty much, I keep opinions on these matter to myself off the internet because being called a racist by a hypocrite coworker is annoying...I can't click away his chat window. :P

I try to avoid talking politics with most people in person. It's actual ironic, because political conversations I have in person are exceptionally civil most times.

Internet though...that is a free for all warzone.

[The Last Sunbro]

Well, yes, loose use of the word "racism" devalues the word, that's how language works. This applies to any word. But A lot of people use "In my not so humble opinion." as some kind of defense card against being called out for being a horrible jackass. It's not a defense, it's even an explicit statement that your following statement is entirely based upon nothing more than the scent of your farts that morning.

I think this is less about the word, and more about the concept. New stronger words can be made, and they too will be worn out, but does it change what we perceive as un/acceptable in the topics it applies to?

[Kraenen]

I find that people that accuse others of being racist are usually the most racist of all, since most of their world view revolves around race being the deciding factor in everything.

I've been thinking this is like the homophobic, bigoted bible thumper who spews nothing but hatred for the gays and can't stop thinking about them. It's only a matter of time until he's found in a hotel with some teen twink paying him for favors.

There may well be some liberals who are racist to begin with but can't cleanse themselves of it or can't deal with it inside themselves, so they need that very same republican/bible thumper to spew racism, for a 'surrogate' if you will, for their own racism.

[Xeones]

Had this come up in a conversation with a tenant. He is convinced that the trend of branding people racists when they have differing opinions is diminishing what is and isn't actual racism, and through that, making actual racism that much more "acceptable" or at least blurring the lines between reasonable concerns and blatant prejudice.

I don't have a particular opinion made on this, but i do find the trend of "You don't want to do x for y? You must be Yphobic!" as a conversational roadblock to be a disgusting practice that keeps issues from being talked about seriously.

So discuss? opinions? Do forum stuff, and make that mmo-cMagic happen.

May be a point on that in some situations. Problem is that argument gets used too much by people trying to defend real racism so no one is really going to pay attention to it since it's just another way bigots are trying to justify themselves.

[PC2]

Internet though...that is a free for all warzone.

It's not much of a free for all when there is a pattern of one side getting infracted, where the other will get social points for saying the same thing about a different group.