Racism and prejudice - Should people respect a persons choice?

LighterGuy · 18-05-2011 12:01AM #1

For the record myself and my friend are not racist or prejudice in any kind. But this thread is born out of what was said today in a random conversation.

Something interesting popped up. We are told to be respectful of a persons choice (religion, sexuality, race etc) ... so what if it happens that a person was a racist? .. that their personal choice is that they dont like certain people, for what ever reason.

Now, this where the discussion gets interesting. Lets use race. What if someone doesnt like chinese people (or whatever) but isnt openly agressive about it? (remarks, comments etc) that its his/her choice and keeps it to themselves. So they are not harming anyone.

So boards.ie would you respect that persons choice?
or would you not?

Bruthal · 18-05-2011 12:03AM

So the story is, your not a racist;)

bonerm · 18-05-2011 12:03AM

LighterGuy wrote: »

For the record myself and my friend are not racist or prejudice in any kind. But

Fair enough.

Dangerous Man · 18-05-2011 12:05AM

I hear you're a racist now Father?

LighterGuy · 18-05-2011 12:06AM

robbie7730 wrote: »

So the story is, your not a racist;)

Shush, i've got a court case soon. My defense shall be this thread. lol.

Nah but seriously whats peoples thoughts?
apart from the usual who scan every after hours post to make witty replies :pac:

(in before someone quotes this and makes a witty reply :rolleyes:)

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 18-05-2011 12:07AM

That sounds like something you need to bait the mormons chatline with.

Yakult · 18-05-2011 12:07AM

No.

Tonyandthewhale · 18-05-2011 12:10AM

LighterGuy wrote: »

Something interesting popped up. We are told to be respectful of a persons choice (religion, sexuality, race etc)

Religion maybe could be considered a choice but who chooses their sexual orientation? Or their race?

And no, racism isn't a valid life-style choice, it's being a dick. Please don't tell me I have to explain that any further.

The King of Moo · 18-05-2011 12:10AM

There's an interesting tension between respecting freedom of thought but also wanting to stamp out racism.
It'd be great for racism to cease existing, but I also believe people have the right to think what they want, and hate when people tell other people that what they believe is wrong. It's counterproductive and can make people more entrenched and maybe more extreme in their views.
I think the best approach to combatting racism is to understand why some people develop racist views, and not lambast them for their views. While I don't agree with racism, I can understand why in some cases people develop racist attitudes (older people not used to seeing different nationalites, areas with lots of immigration in a short period of time).
It's better to respect people's freedom of thought, but at the same time gently show them that, hey, we're all equal baby, without telling them that they're wrong and should stop being racist because they're evil.
It's a tricky balance to strike though.

orourkeda · 18-05-2011 12:11AM

LighterGuy wrote: »

For the record myself and my friend are not racist or prejudice in any kind. But this thread is born out of what was said today in a random conversation.

Something interesting popped up. We are told to be respectful of a persons choice (religion, sexuality, race etc) ... so what if it happens that a person was a racist? .. that their personal choice is that they dont like certain people, for what ever reason.

Now, this where the discussion gets interesting. Lets use race. What if someone doesnt like chinese people (or whatever) but isnt openly agressive about it? (remarks, comments etc) that its his/her choice and keeps it to themselves. So they are not harming anyone.

So boards.ie would you respect that persons choice?
or would you not?

Everybody is racist and\or prejudiced.

I refuse to believe anyone who suggests that they do not hold any grudges, disdain, hatred, disrespect, comtempt or any other negative feeling towards at least one discernible group of people.

All we need to do is scratch the surface to identify another persons prejudices

Bloody Nipples · 18-05-2011 12:14AM

If someone is a shallow, narrow minded backstabber then you have grounds to dislike them.

If they are black, white, Asian etc, that alone is not grounds to dislike someone.

If you base your dislike on the simple fact that there skin is a certain colour and accompany it this with sweeping generalisations that encompass everyone of that colour, you're suffering from chronic idiocy and racial prejudice (which is grounds to dislike someone).

So no I wouldn't respect someone's choice to be racist :rolleyes:

The King of Moo · 18-05-2011 12:15AM

orourkeda wrote: »

Everybody is racist and\or prejudiced.

Typical thing for a Dub to say... :rolleyes:

LighterGuy · 18-05-2011 12:15AM

orourkeda wrote: »

Everybody is racist and\or prejudiced.

I refuse to believe anyone who suggests that they do not hold any grudges, disdain, hatred, disrespect, comtempt or any other negative feeling towards at least one discernible group of people.

All we need to do is scratch the surface to identify another persons prejudices

Agree 150%
sadly there are alot of people who say one thing, but really are the other.

Terry · 18-05-2011 12:15AM

LighterGuy wrote: »

For the record myself and my friend are not racist or prejudice in any kind. But this thread is born out of what was said today in a random conversation.

Something interesting popped up. We are told to be respectful of a persons choice (religion, sexuality, race etc) ... so what if it happens that a person was a racist? .. that their personal choice is that they dont like certain people, for what ever reason.

Now, this where the discussion gets interesting. Lets use race. What if someone doesnt like chinese people (or whatever) but isnt openly agressive about it? (remarks, comments etc) that its his/her choice and keeps it to themselves. So they are not harming anyone.

So boards.ie would you respect that persons choice?
or would you not?

Can you define the term "random"?
If so, I will help you with your dilemma.

If you cannot define the word "Random" and defend your use of it in your OP, then I have no choice but to call you rac.......

Bloody Nipples · 18-05-2011 12:16AM

orourkeda wrote: »

Everybody is racist and\or prejudiced.

I refuse to believe anyone who suggests that they do not hold any grudges, disdain, hatred, disrespect, comtempt or any other negative feeling towards at least one discernible group of people.

All we need to do is scratch the surface to identify another persons prejudices

While everyone has some ingrained prejudice, you can try to move past them. And some are more prejudiced than others.

Bruthal · 18-05-2011 12:16AM

The King of Moo wrote: »

Typical thing for a Dub to say... :rolleyes:

Probably true though in reality. You just said its typical of a dub.

The King of Moo · 18-05-2011 12:16AM

orourkeda wrote: »

Everybody is racist and\or prejudiced.

I refuse to believe anyone who suggests that they do not hold any grudges, disdain, hatred, disrespect, comtempt or any other negative feeling towards at least one discernible group of people.

All we need to do is scratch the surface to identify another persons prejudices

Though seriously, I agree that we are instinctively led to dislike people who are different, probably an evolutionary measure to keep us safe, though we can override that instinct.

orourkeda · 18-05-2011 12:17AM

The King of Moo wrote: »

Typical thing for a Dub to say... :rolleyes:

Its closer to the truth than most people care to admit.

orourkeda · 18-05-2011 12:18AM

The King of Moo wrote: »

Though seriously, I agree that we are instinctively led to dislike people who are different, probably an evolutionary measure to keep us safe, though we can override that instinct.

I dont believe we can.

Life just teaches us to be at least wary of certain sections of society. Thats just the way people are.

The King of Moo · 18-05-2011 12:20AM

orourkeda wrote: »

Its closer to the truth than most people care to admit.

I agree. I don't mind if someone's racist in thought (if they keep it internal how would I know anyway), and everyone has at least little racist thoughts.
The important thing for me is whether people act on that, or try to disadvantage certain groups in some way.

orourkeda · 18-05-2011 12:20AM

Bloody Nipples wrote: »

While everyone has some ingrained prejudice, you can try to move past them. And some are more prejudiced than others.

You may try to move past them, but its always there. Maybe in the background, but it's there nonetheless.

digme · 18-05-2011 12:23AM

LighterGuy wrote: »

For the record myself and my friend are not racist or prejudice in any kind. But this thread is born out of what was said today in a random conversation.

Something interesting popped up. We are told to be respectful of a persons choice (religion, sexuality, race etc) ... so what if it happens that a person was a racist? .. that their personal choice is that they dont like certain people, for what ever reason.

Now, this where the discussion gets interesting. Lets use race. What if someone doesnt like chinese people (or whatever) but isnt openly agressive about it? (remarks, comments etc) that its his/her choice and keeps it to themselves. So they are not harming anyone.

So boards.ie would you respect that persons choice?
or would you not?

we are told? who is telling you to be respectful? tv?

Bloody Nipples · 18-05-2011 12:23AM

orourkeda wrote: »

You may try to move past them, but its always there. Maybe in the background, but it's there nonetheless.

But if it's not acted on is it relevant?

orourkeda · 18-05-2011 12:25AM

The King of Moo wrote: »

I agree. I don't mind if someone's racist in thought (if they keep it internal how would I know anyway), and everyone has at least little racist thoughts.
The important thing for me is whether people act on that, or try to disadvantage certain groups in some way.

Racist actions are not always obvious. In fact, I'd venture to say that a lot of racist action is really subtle. You donlt have to be a flag carrying neo nazi to act in a racist manner.

LighterGuy · 18-05-2011 12:25AM

I might as well say this in this thread. (since we're on about race)

I find more and more alot of "racism" depends on gender.
For example, a racist white guy will have no problem having sex with a sexy black girl.
And a racist black guy will have no problem having sex with a hot white girl. And of course vice versa genders.

So what defines racism? when you think about it.

The King of Moo · 18-05-2011 12:25AM

orourkeda wrote: »

I dont believe we can.

Life just teaches us to be at least wary of certain sections of society. Thats just the way people are.

It does teach us that in different ways. But it can also teach us to change those prejudices, through experiences that make us change our minds. Our views of certain groups can change for better or worse.
Prejudice can be fluid, and probably most people do have some form of it, but I'd imagine there were at least a few people out there who would have told you they hated the Brits 20 years ago who were happy to see Liz visit today.

orourkeda · 18-05-2011 12:26AM

Bloody Nipples wrote: »

But if it's not acted on is it relevant?

Someone could act on their racial, religious or other predujices and you may never even know about. Racist motivation doesnt have to be expressed to be acted upon.

starbelgrade · 18-05-2011 12:28AM

LighterGuy wrote: »

I might as well say this in this thread. (since we're on about race)

I find more and more alot of "racism" depends on gender.
For example, a racist white guy will have no problem having sex with a sexy black girl.
And a racist black guy will have no problem having sex with a hot white girl. And of course vice versa genders.

So what defines racism? when you think about it.

A dislike of unsexy people?

Bloody Nipples · 18-05-2011 12:29AM

Actually I have to admit I missed the part of the OP's post where he mentioned if they weren't being forthright with their views.

On that basis, I wouldn't respect a racist person's viewpoint because it has no basis in actual reality, but at the same time I wouldn't try to convert them.

The King of Moo · 18-05-2011 12:29AM

orourkeda wrote: »

Racist actions are not always obvious. In fact, I'd venture to say that a lot of racist action is really subtle. You donlt have to be a flag carrying neo nazi to act in a racist manner.

Agree, I dislike the subtle actions also. A dirty look here, or a snigger there, if it's noticed by the person it's aimed at, or maybe influences another person's views.

If I were to suffer from racism I'd obviously hate the overt hateful racism, but those little things would also get under my skin and stay there.

Revolution9 · 18-05-2011 12:30AM

LighterGuy wrote: »

Agree 150%
sadly there are alot of people who say one thing, but really are the other.

You mean like someone saying they aren't racist but agreeing 150% with a statement which says everyone is indeed racist?

Racism and prejudice - Should people respect a persons choice?

Comments