Note that this is not a definition that is universally accepted in every context, even among liberals or social scientists. Racism and institutional racism are not necessarily co-terminal.
To me, racism is a belief that one’s race (however one defines it) is significantly determinative of other important personal characteristics—such as ability, potential, morality, ethics, intelligence, character, etc.
I’ve heard that one. But it seems to me you could slot that under prejudice. For example, is a black person who thinks white people inherently lack rhythm racist, or just prejudiced? Perhaps all forms of racism are prejudice but not all forms of prejudice are racism?
Well, that’s a half hour of my life i will never get back.
Sadness thread.
Then How is this not racism? At its worst?
At its worst? Are you kidding me? What, are you minorly inconvenienced by not being able to use the n-word, it’s so unfair.
And in our history, not too far back, we’ve had lynchings for the crime of allegedly whistling at a white woman while being a black teenager.
I find that a lot of folk’s grasp of the history of race relations in this country is limited to slavery, emancipation proclamation, separate drinking fountains, Martin Luther King, the end.
I would define “prejudice” as a tendency to dislike or to treat a person based on some superficial characteristic, such as race, sexual preference, gender, nationality, religion, whatever. Theoretically, you can be prejudiced against black people without actually believing that their blackness implies some other characteristic.
In that sense, “prejudice” and “racism” often—but not necessarily—overlap.
Sorry. I don’t buy it. The notion that racism can only occur in conjunction with power has been floating around since the early 1970s. There is no reason to accept that definition, (aside from giving non-white people an “out” from being called on their racism). Read any lengthy text from Louis Farrakhan and you will encounter undiluted racism.
I am making no claim that “everyone” is racist, but the alternative scenario in which only one group can be racist is without merit.
I’ve taken back the “racism at its worst” comment more times than I can count.
That was a long way back on this thread.
..(..Well I guess you aren’t referring to me. Didn’t notice anyone else ever posting that.)
You ever try to be racist without power? It’s boring, no-one listens to you.
Black people are as racist as women are sexist…
OK, sorry long thread, did not read it all.
Let me put it to you like this, ombre12.
You’re 70 years old.
There are a couple of social events I go to that have a high proportion of senior citizens e.g. chess club. When I go there I note that several of the people are comfortable calling each other (and themselves) “old gits” and similar terms.
However, even though I am good friends with some of those guys, I can’t use terms like that because I know it would be offensive coming from a young person (I’m 34 but still).
Is this ageism? Should the old people that use such terms be reprimanded?
We can talk about ourselves but should know when it is inappropriate to talk about others. A fat person can make fun of his body, but no one else should. The only word that is used by everyone and pisses me off is the word bitch
Does that mean we shouldn’t bitch about the bitches who bitch about our female dogs?
If the dogs uses it, then its ok, but nobody else should 
Late to the party, but I wanted to add this:
Anyone can use a hateful word if the people who hear it recognizes that the speaker is not prejudiced in the way the word normally implies. Or perhaps I should say that you can use these negative words as long as your audience knows you don’t mean it.
So, members of a group automatically get a pass on the hateful words associated with that group. Black people can call each other “nigger” because they are rarely prejudiced against black people in general. Others will not get this free pass. However, if the speaker’s audience knows the speaker well enough to know that he/she is not prejudiced (for instance, very close friends) or the speaker lets the audience know beforehand (in a plausible way) that the speaker is not prejudiced (for example, at the end of a diatribe against prejudice, or spoken with heavy sarcasm), that speaker can use this set of words (although advisedly).
Basically, assholes use these words to try to manipulate people of different groups. If you don’t want to be taken for an asshole, don’t use these words or make sure your audience is very clear on where you’re coming from. If you are an asshole, don’t be surprised when people decide to not take your abusive crap.
Not a racist idea at all. It’s more of a compassionate idea. It’s a word with a history of ignorance, intolerance and fear behind it. Those who find themselves a few ( or less ) generations removed from having the word used against them, are the only people who could Possibly use the word with a different intent, if so chosen. Big deal. You can’t say it. Sucks to be you.
Psssst! bobot.
Note ombre’s Post #127. While there is still room for contention, he has already noted that he does not hold the same views that he posted in the OP.
What idiot told you that “Italians, Jews, and Irish” in the 18th and 19th Century weren’t considered white?
They were certainly discriminated against, but always considered whites, if lesser whites.
If not, they wouldn’t have been able to become US citizens since until 1952(!) by law in order to become naturalized citizens one had to be a “free, white person”.
That’s why during the 19th Century Chinese immigrants couldn’t become US citizens while the Jews, Irish, and Italians practically became citizens after they stepped off the boat. In fact, until SCOTUS stepped in in 1885, the children of Chinese immigrants born in the US weren’t citizens.
The Irish, Italians and Jews faced lots of social discrimination, but they never encountered the legal discrimination that the Chinese faced because they were still whites albeit lesser or other whites.
They faced lots
The government’s definition of “white” was not the only definition in use at the time.