The Shitters have a racism problem
This is not racism; it's bigotry. Judaism is not a race; it's a religion.
Prejudice, bigotry and racism: Is there a difference?
Share | I've stirred up some controversy in the comments salon -- what, again? -- with my observation about the "old equation" -- Racism equals bigotry plus power.
One respondent, "FedUp," who described himself as "a white male of modest means" wrote:
That's nothing but a politically correct cop-out to excuse and erase the pervasive racism that exists against whites in the black community.
My answer relies on my definition of terms, which is a subjective interpretation of the less-than-helpful dictionary entries:
I think of racial prejudice as a private thought -- a personal response to an individual or situation that is based, fairly or unfairly, on experience and observation. It's usually but not always a negative response; an invidious pre-judgment.
I think of bigotry as an act that is motivated by a negative prejudice -- those thoughts turned into deeds.
And I think of racism as a systemic application of bigotry and prejudice -- the use of such sentiments to deprive group members of opportunity, dignity, safety and certain other rights based on their membership in that group and an inner belief that this group is inferior.
It's prejudice when Mr. Smith feels unhappy when Mr. Johnson moves in next door because he doesn't like Mr. Johnson's skin color or ethnic identity.
It's bigotry when Mr. Smith refuses to invite Mr. Johnson into his home or offer him friendly waves of greeting.
It's racism when Mr. Smith uses threats and intimidation to attempt to drive Mr. Johnson and his family out of the neighborhood.
The racial and ethnic identities are clearly interchangeable in the first two examples. Member of all groups are capable of prejudice and bigotry and routinely practice it.
But my argument is that it's unlikely, at best, that, in the third example, Mr. Johnson would be white and Mr. Smith would be black. And even if it were to be the case in some isolated incident, it's disingenuous to say that the problem of housing discrimination against whites is analogous to the problem of housing discrimination against blacks.
Politically, institutionally, culturally and historically, bigoted acts motivated by prejudice against white people have not been and are not significant roadblocks to the advancement, dignity and quality of life of white people.
And any discussion of the problem of how to alleviate the problem of racism gets off on the wrong foot when it tries to start from the trivializing premise that we're all guilty of it.
I admit, though, that my view of this is through my particular lens. How do you see these words, these concepts and, then, this problem?
Change of Subject: Prejudice, bigotry and racism: Is there a difference?
