EPTApparantly I'm Racist... - Page 3
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nttea
Sweden4353 Posts
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SubtleArt
2710 Posts
So this situation you weren't being racist, but your diction and the way you phrase your sentences makes it seem as if you're trying way too hard to not be racist. I mean isn't the idea of equality to treat everyone the same, without prejudice? You seem to have to make a conscious effort to not be racist, and you have to watch your words more carefully around black people, which I find pretty odd. It's kind of the spirit of the law vs the letter of the law concept. You're making every attempt to be politically correct but the fact that you have to think and try so hard about this points to you having, perhaps subconsciously, racist tendencies (or just being an awkward person?). On November 22 2010 03:23 nttea wrote: Did this really go down the way you describe it? sounds to me you are just telling your own version of the story, do accusations of racism really come this easily? This too. Surely your conversation wasn't a 1 liner. Maybe during the argument you dwelled at length on the fact that he was black? | ||
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Grettin
42417 Posts
But tbh, that complaint is ridiculous and you shouldn't really take that on yourself, as long as there isn't any actions because of it (only a conversation about it), i'd leave it to that. You didn't do anything wrong and i doubt it will affect your work in the future. | ||
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JeeJee
Canada5652 Posts
On November 22 2010 02:37 News wrote: JeeJee, do you happen to know the only valid definition of racism? Because racial stereotyping and racism is virtually the same animal. You shouldn't mindlessly go by the wikipedia definition of racism and imply that it always revolved around believing in superiority of one race compared to another. Racism is also a belief that race determines many human traits and abilities, which accounts for racial stereotyping in your context. yeah, you would be one of the pc people i've mentioned in my post. i do happen to know a valid definition of racism, and i've stated it in my post. it's the belief that one race is superior to another because of nothing except race. to say that human race doesn't determine human traits is being ignorant. are you going to tell me that, for example, black people on average don't have higher melanin levels in their skin than white people? let's not be silly  | ||
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Metalwing
Turkey1038 Posts
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gongryong
Korea (South)1430 Posts
strong undercurrents of racism/stereotyping all over the OP's post. seems he is trying very hard to contain it. underscore November 21 2010 23:54 The kid is the racist thinking because of his superior skin tone he doesn't need sun-cream. GOLD!!! YOUR THE BEST MAN! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA | ||
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news
892 Posts
On November 22 2010 03:42 JeeJee wrote: yeah, you would be one of the pc people i've mentioned in my post. i do happen to know a valid definition of racism, and i've stated it in my post. it's the belief that one race is superior to another because of nothing except race. to say that human race doesn't determine human traits is being ignorant. are you going to tell me that, for example, black people on average don't have higher melanin levels in their skin than white people? let's not be silly "Pc people" as in "personal computer"? You are really naive to say that, in fact "pc people" would go by your definition of racism 100% of time. I grew up in the country where skinheads walk around in daylight with swastikas on their shirts, where teachers at school mock kids for being "dark" or "jewish" or w/e else, where whites are racist against other whites because they aren't white enough. So don't jump to conclusions just because you guessed something, you are making yourself look dumb. I spent a lot of time dealing with those people, reading their newspapers and debating. "I do happen to know a valid definition of racism," - no you don't, you don't know shit if you base the concept of racism solely on racial superiority. Black racists will not try to argue they had the greatest painters or sculptors, they will argue nobody feels the rhythm and the music the way they do. This is just a simple example for you to digest, because you don't seem to be doing well with more complex definitions. Some of the racial traits would be considered superior, while some - lacking. "One race is superior to another because of nothing except race," - utterly stupid, no racist will keep arguing just because he believes that "black is better" or "white is better", they will find a reason to say that based on whatever differences they can observe/come up with. These differences are "racial traits and capacities", these are the basis for racial stereotyping as well. If you can only come up with melanin, curly hair or long noses - just don't waste your own time, rather educate yourself properly before starting an argument. | ||
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Too_MuchZerg
Finland2818 Posts
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Thrill
2599 Posts
On November 22 2010 04:26 News wrote: I grew up in the country where skinheads walk around in daylight with swastikas on their shirts, where teachers at school mock kids for being "dark" or "jewish" or w/e else, where whites are racist against other whites because they aren't white enough. ^ And where might that be i wonder? | ||
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jax1492
United States1632 Posts
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shawster
Canada2485 Posts
apparently singling a kid out because he was too ignorant to wear sunscreen is racist the problem imo is that some people think that everyone is still treating them like a minority, and that's why they pull out the race card. it isn't the 50's for god sakes, you're equal to everyone else. stop acting like every single thing we do is racist. this is coming from an asian perspective, i really don't care if you make comments like i eat fried rice a lot or i'm talented at math. people need to put less emphasis on the past and care more about the present. keep in mind that real racism still occurs and this post doesn't apply to that if people think i smoke opium everyday they're either joking or a retard. idc if they're the latter and i'll laugh if they're joking | ||
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Uranium
United States1077 Posts
Also, @News, race DOES determine many human traits and abilities. Biologically. Society may claim differently because people are unwilling to hear the truth right now, but that doesn't make your argument any more true from a scientific standpoint. Some day we will learn to celebrate the unique advantages that people of different racial backgrounds have, but for now we (in America) are stuck claiming that every race is exactly the same, as society's rebound reaction to slavery. | ||
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Sephy90
United States1785 Posts
On November 22 2010 00:18 micronesia wrote: If this is exactly the way it went down then you are creating headaches for yourself. Asking him why he doesn't think he needs it when everyone else does is going to open up a can of worms. Saying "you aren't any different" can be easily misconstrued. A couple of alternatives would to say "everyone has to wear sun cream" and not question him about his reasoning (being fully aware that his parents probably don't make him wear much sun cream normally since he has darker skin). If he claims he isn't allowed/supposed to wear it then say you have to have all kids wear it unless you get permission from the parents not to. If the parents complain after this, they have no justification and your boss can easily back you. You didn't do anything 'wrong' but being 'wrong' isn't what matters in these sorts of situations... it's whether or not you've learned through life/work experience the best way to avoid them. I go through the exact same thing as a teacher when communicating with parents. I am very careful about what I say and how I say it because most things can and will be used against me, often out of context, etc. Don't give unnecessary information, ask unnecessary questions, etc, when dealing with a sensitive situation that could blow up into a racism complaint or something like that. Is this completely ridiculous? Yes. Should you have to deal with it at a recreational summer program? No. Do you have to follow my advice? No, but I strongly recommend it. It's kind of annoying how you actually have to find ways to save your own ass because some people love pulling the "racist" card. Like micronesia said, saying certain things can be easily misconstrued by people -_-. His advice is good and I second what he said ^_^. But yeah OP you did nothing wrong, it's just things today that are so wrong. | ||
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news
892 Posts
Let's just say former USSR, Russia would be a great example too. On November 22 2010 04:41 Uranium wrote: Also, @News, race DOES determine many human traits and abilities. Biologically. Society may claim differently because people are unwilling to hear the truth right now, but that doesn't make your argument any more true from a scientific standpoint. Some day we will learn to celebrate the unique advantages that people of different racial backgrounds have, but for now we (in America) are stuck claiming that every race is exactly the same, as society's rebound reaction to slavery. I didn't say it doesn't. I actually studied enough anthropology at my Uni to know that for a fact. Some of the materials published in former Soviet anthropology journals would be considered outrageous by a contemporary society. | ||
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Grobyc
Canada18410 Posts
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JeeJee
Canada5652 Posts
On November 22 2010 04:26 News wrote: "Pc people" as in "personal computer"? You are really naive to say that, in fact "pc people" would go by your definition of racism 100% of time. I grew up in the country where skinheads walk around in daylight with swastikas on their shirts, where teachers at school mock kids for being "dark" or "jewish" or w/e else, where whites are racist against other whites because they aren't white enough. So don't jump to conclusions just because you guessed something, you are making yourself look dumb. I spent a lot of time dealing with those people, reading their newspapers and debating. "I do happen to know a valid definition of racism," - no you don't, you don't know shit if you base the concept of racism solely on racial superiority. Black racists will not try to argue they had the greatest painters or sculptors, they will argue nobody feels the rhythm and the music the way they do. This is just a simple example for you to digest, because you don't seem to be doing well with more complex definitions. Some of the racial traits would be considered superior, while some - lacking. "One race is superior to another because of nothing except race," - utterly stupid, no racist will keep arguing just because he believes that "black is better" or "white is better", they will find a reason to say that based on whatever differences they can observe/come up with. These differences are "racial traits and capacities", these are the basis for racial stereotyping as well. If you can only come up with melanin, curly hair or long noses - just don't waste your own time, rather educate yourself properly before starting an argument. strange, i've lived in russia for over 10 years and never encountered anything like you describe. either way you're currently being way too defensive to have a level-headed argument, the examples you brought up don't even make sense. arguing that black people are superior in feeling rhythm and music solely because they're black is no different at all. i get the feeling you don't understand what the word superior means. i get that it's a touchy subject for you, so feel free to have the last word on this. | ||
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Judicator
United States7270 Posts
In fact, I would be surprised if someone said they didn't stereotype. | ||
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news
892 Posts
On November 22 2010 06:04 JeeJee wrote: strange, i've lived in russia for over 10 years and never encountered anything like you describe. either way you're currently being way too defensive to have a level-headed argument, the examples you brought up don't even make sense. arguing that black people are superior in feeling rhythm and music solely because they're black is no different at all. i get the feeling you don't understand what the word superior means. i get that it's a touchy subject for you, so feel free to have the last word on this. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism_in_post-Soviet_Russia | ||
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Phant
United States737 Posts
Here are some tips to not be perceived as a racist (much of this has nothing to do with racism, but that doesn't matter, it's all about what they think, not what is reality). NEVER address anyone as "black" never mention anything about "black" you said in your post that there aren't many blacks in your town because it is expensive, this may be true, but that doesn't matter, never mention it EVER. If that kid read your post he would have more ammo to throw at you. -NEVER say anything along the lines that singles them out (this applies to "you are no different than anyone else") If you are going to talk to one of these types of people (or there is a possibility he/she is one) Never say anything that you wouldn't be able to say to any other person in succession. Instead of "you are no different" say "it is a requirement that everyone puts on sun block" do not add "regardless of color" or anything like that, keep it general. -It is OK to say things like "he can run faster" "jump higher" or something like that, anything complimentary is ok even if it has to do with their race. I've never been in a situation like this, but I've talked to several people who have and it has worked wonders. Finally- do not stare at them for too long, this also sets off a red flag (it's happened to me at least a dozen times, not sure what it is). Also, never make a post like the one I just wrote, it would probably seem very racist to someone out there. Usually you will find out pretty quickly if the person you are talking to is a jackass or a nice guy, once you cross that you can ease up a little bit. As much as I wish this was not the state of things, this is how it is in the United States, while 99% of black people I meet are pretty funny and great guys to hang out with, there is always a small fraction that are like the guy you encountered. Also, only worry about following these rules on the job, once you are done for the day it's ok to ignore being politically correct (being politically correct is one of the most annoying things ever). So out in public, I don't give a @#$% about what color you are, I don't care if you get offended by what I say, I don't care if anyone pulls the race card, because they aren't going to get anything out of it. | ||
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Archas
United States6531 Posts
On November 22 2010 08:45 phant wrote: advice I don't think it was the kid who filed a complaint. The OP didn't specify who did; in fact, the OP didn't give out all that much information in the first place. Your advice is sound (if rather overly-PC for my liking, but I'm not judging), and you certainly know what you're talking about, but I think we need some more info from the OP to really know what's going on. | ||
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