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On November 13 2015 12:55 Falling wrote: I've defended in the past the idea that racism is prejudice + power, but I'm not so sure anymore. Or rather, there is an attempt to make the academic separation, but I'm not sure it's how the word 'racism' is used in the vernacular, at least not yet. And until the vernacular has changed, it comes off weird, the idea that in North America, only whites can be racist. I get the distinction intellectually- that there is a distinction between having prejudices and having prejudices and having prejudices with power... but in that case, the difference is power. Prejudice + power = Racism + power.
Because on a visceral level, it feels like it is being said is that North American whites are a special kind of evil. That they are the only ones that can be prejudiced. That is not what is meant, but the prejudice + power = racism formula does tend to put the conversation on very weird footing as people naturally react against the idea that white North Americans are special kind of evil or that African-Americans cannot be prejudiced (which is the meaning most people get, when they hear 'cannot be racist" ...as in that video). Again, I get the academic distinction, but I don't think that's actually how the word is actually used day to day except in certain circles and the corresponding connotation feels intuitively wrong.
I'm Asian and I think this whole "only whites/people in positions of power can be racist" argument is ridiculous.
Having grown up in incredibly diverse yet segregated communities, I think racism is certainly abundant in all races.
Also, my Facebook (which is like 95% Asian) occasionally blows up with some of my friends getting pissed at white people for dressing Asian/etc. It's a somewhat different topic but I need to vent and just say wow, some people...
On November 13 2015 12:58 farvacola wrote: Self-appointed spokespersonhood on behalf of an entire racial group is a hell of a drug too
I hardly imagine myself as a spokesperson, there are just no other black people around whatsoever (the only other one got fed up and left).
I just can't stand idly by and watch the circle jerk without at least trying to interject some perspective (although I know it mostly falls on deaf ears).
On November 13 2015 13:14 Souma wrote: Soon Donald Trump will be the most influential in that regard.
Are you really taking early GOP polls seriously? There is no way Trump is going to win even if he gets the nomination. There is no way GOP is actually dumb enough to let him win. There is no way Congress and Supreme Court is going to let him do a quarter of the crazy shit he said he's going to do. (Pretty much applies for all politicians)
On November 13 2015 13:17 Deathstar wrote: From merriam-webster,
racism:
racial prejudice or discrimination
That is a clear definition. You know what is not a clear definition?
Racism = prejudice + power. The power component is unnecessary on whether you are racist or not.
I think we're a little beyond quoting dictionaries here. However I did look up the word dictionary in merriam-webster and you'll be surprised to learn that in no way does it claim that a dictionary is anything more than a reference book containing information. So, if the dictionary is to be trusted then you could reference a dictionary for information about racism but you should not expect the dictionary to provide you with a clear definition. The dictionary describing itself thinks it doesn't give a clear definition.
Couldn't you just say systemic racism. Most people would agree white people aren't systematically discriminated against based on race and it basically contains the power+prejudice paradigm. Surely people must realize how impragmatic it is to accost people who clearly don't know what you mean by the power+prejudice concept with accusations of racism due to thinking black people can be racist. They're being purposefully inflammatory for attention
"I am the least racist person there is! And I think most people who know me would tell you that. I am the least racist, I’ve had great relationships." ~~Trump
I dig Trump pushing the envelope on what it means to be a real racist, from immigration policy to interpersonal relationships (sexism as a bonus topic). I'm also glad plenty here question the reach of subdued racial bias. I wish the term itself was saved for more than just an an uncouth person (or someone that occasionally tells an offcolor joke), but that clearly isn't the case today. The sheer size of the Mizzou bandwagon ... every corner implicitly saying that only racists or sympathizers would question systemic/pervasive racism at that campus.
I'm lucky enough to have friends and coworkers from every minority in LA that think it's all hogwash. It gives me hope that the fraud that this media's beaten into the issue will be even more widely understood. The script's transparent and the resultant mobs are ridiculous.
On November 13 2015 13:17 Deathstar wrote: From merriam-webster,
racism:
racial prejudice or discrimination
That is a clear definition. You know what is not a clear definition?
Racism = prejudice + power. The power component is unnecessary on whether you are racist or not.
I think we're a little beyond quoting dictionaries here. However I did look up the word dictionary in merriam-webster and you'll be surprised to learn that in no way does it claim that a dictionary is anything more than a reference book containing information. So, if the dictionary is to be trusted then you could reference a dictionary for information about racism but you should not expect the dictionary to provide you with a clear definition. The dictionary describing itself thinks it doesn't give a clear definition.
The point was that talking about power is not necessary to answering the question of "Is this person a racist". And a dictionary is a good place to start, unless we're going to start making up words now.
On November 13 2015 12:58 farvacola wrote: Self-appointed spokespersonhood on behalf of an entire racial group is a hell of a drug too
I hardly imagine myself as a spokesperson, there are just no other black people around whatsoever (the only other one got fed up and left).
I just can't stand idly by and watch the circle jerk without at least trying to interject some perspective (although I know it mostly falls on deaf ears).
Quite an assumption thinking that everyone here is white.
On November 13 2015 13:17 Deathstar wrote: From merriam-webster,
racism:
racial prejudice or discrimination
That is a clear definition. You know what is not a clear definition?
Racism = prejudice + power. The power component is unnecessary on whether you are racist or not.
I think we're a little beyond quoting dictionaries here. However I did look up the word dictionary in merriam-webster and you'll be surprised to learn that in no way does it claim that a dictionary is anything more than a reference book containing information. So, if the dictionary is to be trusted then you could reference a dictionary for information about racism but you should not expect the dictionary to provide you with a clear definition. The dictionary describing itself thinks it doesn't give a clear definition.
The point was that talking about power is not necessary to answering the question of "Is this person a racist". And a dictionary is a good place to start, unless we're going to start making up words now.
How on earth do you think words happen if people don't make them up? English majors don't track them down and capture them for selective breeding and dissemination to society. They don't run wild and they're not a mineral. Every word is made up.
I think this video beautifully captures what is wrong with these black-led anti-racism crusades. There is a complete lack of accountability. Any time someone brings up issues with black culture or instances where black people are racist, they are quickly shushed. The prevalence of racism in black communities is always refuted with reasons why they aren't to blame for various white-induced social barriers to social/financial mobility.
Maybe it would be helpful if we used the term prejudiced to describe the behavior of a black man shouting at an Asian woman to "go back where she came from," and racist to describe behaviors or actions that are part of systemic discrimination. Racism, nowadays, mostly refers to social violence perpetrated against disenfranchised groups by systems of power.That is (probably) why the black students in that video were like, "no no, you don't get it" to the poor girl talking about some of the awful experiences she has had as a foreigner here. It is also why black people "can't be racist." That is not to say, however, that black people cannot perpetuate the racist systems that they are embedded in, unknowingly or not.
Maybe it would be helpful if we used the term prejudiced to describe the behavior of a black man shouting at an Asian woman to "go back where she came from,
I quoted the dictionary to go away from this word game. If you want to introduce power into the conversation of race, attach it. The black guy in the story is racist against asians.
Racism, nowadays, mostly refers to social violence perpetrated against disenfranchised groups by systems of power.
EPT
