Note: Mod's please move to an appropriate area.

Greetings all,

Lets take a fairly straightforward and obvious concept and investigate whether it truly exists, we are talking about racism.

Now I may be over simplifying a delicate issue here but please bear with me.

I'm a white, British male and if someone insulted me with *expletive* white man I simply would not be offended, do you know why?

Because I am white.

Don't get me wrong, I do understand that lots of other factors need to be taken into account here such as history, social identity and slavery etc but I'm trying to keep things simple.

I assume that most black people or people of any different colour than white would be deeply offended if someone insulted them with *expletive* black man or something similiar.

But at the end of the day, okay I'll admit they are being insulting but is using someones colour as an insult really that offensive?

It seems to me that racism, as a legal charge, only works in one way. I'm pretty sure that if someone from another race called me *expletive* white boy and I went to the police that I would be laughed at.

Sure, there are people who can be labelled as racists i.e. people who don't like others simply because of their colour or race, these people are narrow minded idiots.

But is it really that offensive to use someones colour as an insult?

Note: I'm not trying to cause offence to anyone of any colour, my ex best friend of 15 years was a hindu and half caste, my current best friend has Irish and Chinese roots.

Thoughts people?

Cheers,

DK

[edit on 6/9/10 by Death_Kron]

I think the tone, manner and context in which someone says something is the all important thing to consider.

Using someone's race, colour or creed as an intended and intentional insult is racist.

However, I think some people are far too sensitive and really need to take that chip off their shoulder.

Is racism real...yes.

You mainly refer to insults and verbal usage as a reflection of racial discrimination. However, what someone says is a reflection of how they feel on the inside.

And if what they say is racist, then what they will do will be racist.

For instance, being called white or black, not an insult. Being called "whitey or cracker".... "n_gg_r or sambo"...that's racist.

Basically, racism is a lack of respect or a hatred based on someone's race. Then you act on those feelings... verbal insults, physical attacks, do not offer them an opportunity or job, do not sell or trade, do not treat equally.... based on skin color. that's racism.

It does cut both ways, too. Having lived here in the Southern US all my life, I can remember segregation, integration, busing because of Federal mandates to end segregation, I have seen civil rights marches, seen the KKK march, seen gunfights between racist groups and socialist groups, ... it only breeds fear...mistrust...misunderstasnding.

Fast forward to 2010.... racism still exists. But it is going away... I help manage a farm supply/ feed store. It really is remarkable to see all colors come in and talk, exchange ideas, complain in like manner about the weather...taxes...tractors... bragging on their horses or goats.

We get mixed couples, white, black, hispanic, lesbians, gays, and ....TRUMPETS PLEASE.... we all get along. It is not yet a perfect world, but their is hope.

Nope, it's a myth like womans rights and starvation in Africa.... But seriously, yes it is, but all too often the context and tone means everything regarding it, and this can also sometimes be misinterpreted across cultures. The Uk and USA for example, im sure many Americans would deem some comments made by british people to be racist, when it is not racist in the slightest...if you are British.

Yes, racism is real. It stems from xenophobia that is an animalistic and terratorial survival mechanism, to protect the collective from unknown elements from other collectives.

Racism takes many forms! Why do the English tell Irish jokes? etc etc.

The modern understanding of racism is white on black western racism. Yet within the Indian caste system, cultural bias against the untouchables, ie those of the darkest skins, is entrenched, making it very difficult for those in the lower castes to fully engage socially and economically.

Indeed racism is real.

Being from South Africa I still see it on a daily basis. And I am white.

Maybe the example of South Africa is an extreme one, as I am sure most of you guys know the history in South Africa.

Even though SA became a democracy in 1994 and Apartheid was abolished way before that, racism is still everywhere. And I don't think its just here in SA. Its all over the world, like everyone else posted here.

And yes there is alot of name calling and stuff going on. We white people get called Boer, which is highly offensive to us, and yet nothing can be done about it. Yet if you were to call a black person something equivelent, you will be taken to court.

I can understand that because of our history its like that, but surely this is also double standards.

But I understand what the OP is asking. And I agree.

How come make such a big fuss purely based on the colour of one's skin. It is ridiculous.

VVV