Jerry Marshall writes
>> From dictionary.com:
>>
>> rac·ism
>> n.
>> 1. The belief that race accounts for differences
>> in human character or ability and that a
>> particular race is superior to others.
>> 2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.
> How does one tell the difference between "people who
> discriminate based on the cultural attributes of a
> large cross-section of blacks" and those that "discriminate
> blacks from whites because they believe that they are
> genetically superior"?
It is up to the speaker or writer in either case. Because
genuine misunderstanding (mis-reading of what another person
really wants to say) on this issue is SO PREVALENT, writers
and speakers *must* be clear.
Sadly, Jerry, according to your meaning (as I read it) I
myself am racist, because I believe that it's possible,
even likely, that different groups *genetically* differ
*statistically* along some very important axes. As I
said before, it is entirely possible that California
Asian children are statistically as much smarter than
whites, as statistically whites are smarter than any
other group you care to mention, or more so, and that
some of these differences may indeed be genetic (due
to historical or other factors, and would be easily
correctable within *any* group by eugenics). Please,
everyone: if you want to blast me for that, start
another thread. Don't use this one. This is about
meanings.
> Does the term racist apply to both? If so, then nothing
> negative at all can ever be said of "blacks" statistically
> "i.e. black cops that use racial profiling" without being
> labeled racist (neat trick for a black cop to be racist
> of blacks).
Yes, "racist" surely does not apply to both of your categories.
> This is the big reason I think that a large number of people
> don't want others looking this closely at definitions, it's
> not in the interest of the PC crowd to clarify the issues.
You can't over-characterize them all that way! Some people
who would even own up to being "PC" would vigorously deny
that accusation; and some of *those* would be very right!
> My vote is to scrap definition #2 because it confuses this
> issue beyond need and I think number 1 handles the definition
> just fine. Occam's razor and all....
Pre-judging people, and sticking with that pre-judgment despite
the evidence, is to me an important part of what ought to be
meant by "racist". Therefore, I agree that something like the
second meaning should still be accepted.
Lee
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Fri Oct 12 2001 - 14:40:04 MDT