# Let's Have a Frank Discussion on Race

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-a-frank-discussion-on-race/548161>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [July 27, 2010, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-a-frank-discussion-on-race/548161 "2010-07-27T09:18:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 242

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**Author:** ![New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9d8465/32.png) [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Deal_Democrat)\
**Post date:** [August 1, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-a-frank-discussion-on-race/548161/242 "2010-08-01T17:34:53Z")

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> [@brickbacon](#):
>
> Please don’t take this the wrong way, but how do you define the word "racist"such that you would not be included in that group? Let’s look at the text book definition:
> 
> > [@](#):
> >
> > [Racist](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racist)  
> > Main Entry: rac·ism  
> > Pronunciation: \ˈrā-ˌsi-zəm also -ˌshi-  
> > Function: noun  
> > Date: 1933
> > 
> > 1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race  
> > 2 : racial prejudice or discrimination
> 
> You said you believe certain “irreducible moral failings”, that are caused genetically, are responsible for Black inferiority. Putting aside the fact there is no evidence for such a statement, don’t you think that pretty much fits the definition of a racist?

By that definition I am a racist, but then so are most Americans. I really do not care.

I believe that genes are the primary determinant of human traits, and that these genes vary between the races.

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