Racist Is As Racist Does
Can a man sing
And not be a singer?
Can a man run
And not be a runner?
Can a man steal
And not be a thief?
Can a man kill
And not be a killer?
Comments
Yes - people can be racist in thought as well as deed. I don't think that just because we don't do anything it makes it any better. Entrenched racist views would still be handed down, parent to child.
Graham is right that we are all guilty to some degree. There is racism, where minority groups are the victim, inverted racism, where members of a minority group might despise a majority group. And just look at the Indian caste system and the relationship between some Indians and Pakistanis.
It does sometimes become difficult to express yourself without tripping over people's fear of racism. In fact, even by joining in a thread like this, you fear you may be embroiling yourself in a whole lot of trouble.
I suppose what I was getting at in this vignette is that
1 There is no intrinsic, corporeal characteristic within us which makes us a thief or a killer or a racist
2 We are those things by virtue of what we do not what we are
3 If this were not so we would imprison people who had not committed crimes but were predisposed to committing them
4 It is therefore bollocks to say someone is not racist but happened to say or do racist things
5 Of course, it was much quicker to write the vignette.
I think to some degree we're all racists, whatever that definition means. I just wish we could (all of us) accept it.
You'll expect (of course) that I hope they get their butts kicked today John! Perhaps calling a spade a spade is the least apt, but most fitting phrase.
Well put.
Regards,
A.E.
Succinct. Win x
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Yvonne Brunton
Thu 1st Nov 2012 01:14
Yep ...depends on how good his barrister is.
is racism intrinsic? do not humans in general have an innate need to be part of a group and to feel a group identity to the exclusion of other groups? Is this not diplayed at events where 1 team plays against another? The desire to feel superior to anyone from another group is a pretty strong emotion. besides what is the definition of 'race' these days is it not now mixed up with ethnicity? so are some of the racist 'crimes' actually ethnicitist - try saying that after a few pints!
what happened to the saying sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me? ( though they do too).Blinded by the lure of litigation and compensationI guess.
I wonder what would happen if the victim (or his family) were able to give the sentence rather than a judge???