Did Democrats really re-elect Nancy Pelosi as Speaker?

[kybkh]

If that is what qualifies someone as racist, then the pool of racists you know just shrunk by 99%.

sigh. Never mind. Racism is more than someone who lynches people. I don't want to argue about it anymore, though.\

I think human beings are probably hard-wired to make judgments about other people based on externalities. Stereotypes have been around for a very long time and the reason why is because they are often useful and can make interactions with others more efficient. However, when a person uses stereotypes as a way to make value judgments about the "goodness" or "badness" of whole groups of other people, then they tip into racism. Avoiding racism involves recognition of one's use of stereotypes, coupled with a willingness to set them aside, approach other individuals with an open mind, and not impute characteristics or qualities to them before getting to know them. It is certainly acceptable to form judgments about the character of persons we know, because that is based on actual knowledge, not mere presumption.

We stereotype everything from people to mice because it is our natural survival instinct.

Consider this, not every bear is a man eater but if you see one coming out of the woods are you going to wait around to find out?

As far as setting aside preconceived notions...can you? Really??

Referring back to Kaths' comment on how racist the MW is. She concedes that the people she refers to as racist are likely to help out a black person under ideal conditions. To me, that automatically takes you out of the racist category.

It gets tricky when you throw a caveat like, If a black person and a white person were both hitch hiking with an equally sad sign and you choose to pick up the white person instead of the black person does that make you racist?

IMO, no because once again you are dealing with instinctual behavior.

[K@th]

I think more people are racist than the Rs claim and less people are racist than the Ds claim. It's seriously problematic that a group of people are claiming black people cannot be racist. It's bullshit. I'd point out that a noisy minority of people make such a claim.

The Westboro Baptist is around 30 people. They make a lot of noise. Are the Republicans responsible for their actions?

[Speaker to Animals]

I see quite a lot of racism today. On the left.

[kybkh]

Racism or Stereotyping?

Racism carries such a heavy connotation that acts have to be committed in order for me to consider classifying anything as such.

Insisting on segregated bathrooms is racist. Saying you cross the street when you see a black guy coming is not.

[LVH2]

I think more people are racist than the Rs claim and less people are racist than the Ds claim. It's seriously problematic that a group of people are claiming black people cannot be racist. It's bullshit. I'd point out that a noisy minority of people make such a claim.

[K@th]

I think more people are racist than the Rs claim and less people are racist than the Ds claim. It's seriously problematic that a group of people are claiming black people cannot be racist. It's bullshit. I'd point out that a noisy minority of people make such a claim.

It's "racism is all gone" versus "every white person is racist!"

[apeman]

When I hear talk about rascism this and rascism that, my brain instantly shuts off nowadays and I cannot even force myself to listen.

whenever I see rascism in the news or in court or being discussed by pols, it is obvious that the speaker is trying use use rascism to further their own goals, whether they be redistribution, popularity, visibility, getting clicks, whatever. None of these speakers are interested in stopping categorizing people by race.

[de officiis]

As far as setting aside preconceived notions...can you? Really??

I think treating others with dignity means making a good-faith effort, with the understanding that given our imperfect natures, we may not always succeed.

[kybkh]

I used to think proper etiquette was for bitches. Now I consider etiquette to be a key to reconnecting as a society.

You are going to meet with people whom you are sure to dislike, but as long as you use proper etiquette you should be able to interact with anyone, no matter your political spectrum, confident that you won't get shot.

[K@th]

When we go to the midwest, everyone is very nice, but here's an example from 2008, during the primaries.

"You see we have to vote McCain. I'll never vote for a nigger and no woman should ever be president, so that's all I have left to choose from."

Again, perfectly nice people. But racist.