Is racism/intolerance endemic to all races

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Being from a family of mixed race, I take particular umbrage to your definition of "racism" here. The countless times when I have been attacked, belittled, slandered or otherwise suffered overt racism for being "too white" are uncountable. I have family members that could "pass for black" in most circumstances, but they are often ridiculed for not being "black enough." I have cousins who live on the Cherokee Nation who won't even speak to me in public in front of other Cherokee because I look too much like my Irish mother.

Pelathais, sound like you and I share a lot of the same racial background and issues.

[aegsm76]

JD - while I disagree with your initial definition, I find myself agreeing with your examples.
I think what you refer to as racism, I would call Institutional Racism.
I think these cross definitions lead to not understanding each other on this subject.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Sam

Once while at a UPC Bible School I mentioned to a young minister from Kentucky that people of different races would be in Heaven together and he retorted that they wouldn't be black then so it would be OK.

I'll take your word for that fellow's apparent ignorance, however, there may be a germ of truth to what he said. Perhaps a good retort to his rather "ignorant" statement would have been,

"Yeah, and YOU won't be WHITE either!"

It seems to me that if "in the resurrection" human beings will be "like the angels" in some ways, then they will cease to be like ordinary human beings in others (Matthew 22:28-32). This whole area does involve a great deal of speculation due to the paucity of details found in the Bible, but I think it's safe to say that this ignorant hillbilly may have been onto something, even if inadvertently.

I think there are some who take "blackness" to be "the mark of Cain" (old-time Mormons) or the "curse of Ham." Thus, they reason, "in heaven" the "curse" will be lifted.

Reality of course shows these racist uses of Scripture to be wrong and fraught with error. Why does the child of a "mixed-race" union only get "a part" of "the curse?" In fact, you can selectively "breed" the "curse" into and out of a person's appearances over the course of just a few generations right along with other characteristics and traits.

It seems that what we call "race" is the simple accumulation of genetic information within families and populations. Fundamentally, there is something else entirely that exists that accounts for us ALL being human and thus, the children of God. The natural accumulation and the inevitable changes in our natural human qualities is not something that has any Spiritual significance; otherwise plastic surgeons would be our High Priests.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

JD - while I disagree with your initial definition, I find myself agreeing with your examples.
I think what you refer to as racism, I would call Institutional Racism.
I think these cross definitions lead to not understanding each other on this subject.

Agreed.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

What is the real definition of racism?

What is the real definition of prejudice?

What is the real definition of intolerance?

Let's start here in order to facilitate intelligent discourse. Anything else is just pure conjecture.

bump

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

Pelathais, sound like you and I share a lot of the same racial background and issues.

Going back, my folks were idealists and they suffered and continue to suffer for it. My father is perhaps one of the most "racist" people I know however. This was due in part to the fact that he was never "white enough" and was hassled for it as a kid. Going back several generations everyone was some sort of a "half-breed."

As soon as my dad got out of the Army he appears to have married the "whitest" girl he could find (my mother). As a result I got hassled as a kid - by other "white kids" - for being "too white." Go figure.

I think people just look for things that are "different" about others so they can hassle others. Personally, I have come to detest racism in all its forms and I do get a bit cranky and uppity about this.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

I disagree with your definition of racism.


What is the real definition of racism?

m-w.com

"Racism" - "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race."

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

What is the real definition of prejudice?

"prejudice" -

": injury or damage resulting from some judgment or action of another in disregard of one's rights; especially : detriment to one's legal rights or claims

2 a (1) : preconceived judgment or opinion (2) : an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge

b : an instance of such judgment or opinion

c : an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

What is the real definition of intolerance?

1 : unable or unwilling to endure
2 a : unwilling to grant equal freedom of expression especially in religious matters

b : unwilling to grant or share social, political, or professional rights : bigoted

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Let's start here in order to facilitate intelligent discourse. Anything else is just pure conjecture.

Dictionary definitions are often strict and do not always encompass many "expanded uses" of a word. Thus, it is usually the responsibility of the writer to clearly indicate to his readers when he is using an "expanded use" of a word or term.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Pel in order for racism to be racism, it has to be systematic.

What you have described is terribly wrong-- but we need to define racism to ensure we are on the same page.


I have already demonstrated that actions that appear to be based on race are not necessarily racist.

Not so. One man, all of his own, can be a racist. He doesn't need an "institution" nor does he really even need to have any direct contact with the race(s) he is devaluing.

I accept the common definition of "racism." This is an attitude whereby an individual or group of individuals express their perceptions of the SUPERIORITY and/or INFERIORITY of themselves and others based upon racial categories.

[houston]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Not so. One man, all of his own, can be a racist. He doesn't need an "institution" nor does he really even need to have any direct contact with the race(s) he is devaluing.

I accept the common definition of "racism." This is an attitude whereby an individual or group of individuals express their perceptions of the SUPERIORITY and/or INFERIORITY of themselves and others based upon racial categories.

[BishopMHaywood]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Not so. One man, all of his own, can be a racist. He doesn't need an "institution" nor does he really even need to have any direct contact with the race(s) he is devaluing.

I accept the common definition of "racism." This is an attitude whereby an individual or group of individuals express their perceptions of the SUPERIORITY and/or INFERIORITY of themselves and others based upon racial categories.

I would also say it could be simply stated as "racially based prejudice".