Aunt B was lambasting one of her favorite targets, Kleinheider and made this comment:
You are a racist. It’s not surprising considering that if you’re white and American you have a 99.9% chance of being a racist. Look at me. I’m a racist. I don’t want to be a racist, obviously; I’d like to believe that I’m a good person and treat everyone equally until proven wrong.
This sparked a flurry of comments (109 at last count). I find it absurd that a very well educated woman with a love of literature would seemingly forget the importance of connotation vs denotation.
In the context above, the word racist pisses me off. The first images that come to mind are of the KKK, riots, lynching, etc. It is an inflammatory word which carries an ugly connotation, its very definition, albeit the second one, denotes action and not inner thought.
I will admit to being prejudiced. I firmly believe it is impossible to live without forming stereotypes. Is this the ideal way to live? No, but it seems to be innate to somewhat compartmentalize, just for simplicity.
I worked in food and beverage for ten years. In a Pavlovian fashion a person, whose income is tip dependent, will learn what to expect upon seeing a customer.* This does not imply that one cannot be surprised in either direction, just that basic parameters are set. In my mind a prejudiced person makes the assumption about the tip, while the racist person alters their service according to that prejudice.
Clearly, this is an argument about semantics. Had B said 99.9% of white Americans were prejudiced, I probably would have ignored the thread completely.
*For the record, the worst possible ‘tips’ were the “In lieu of tip I’ve decided to tell you about Jesus.” I must say this does not inspire Christ-like behavior or thought.
3 comments ↓
The “R” word always gets a big response.
Some people blame racism for everything. Others don’t think it exist at all.
I try to take a middle path since
everyone had his or her own definition for it.
I would say that in America,even in the South most of the big, really overt acts are not as common as they were in my mother’s day.
On the other hand, I cannot ignore how we are so divided by race when I drive around town or watch television.
I can’t ignore either why I didn’t get this or that job or the slightly raised eyebrow when I’m seen in certain neighborhoods. Is it racist? Is it not? I really don’t know. We live in tricky times.
My mother was my best teacher and always told us that any one of any race could be good or bad, and to judge a person on his or her own merits.
In practice, I don’t always or even often do that, but trying makes it better.
You remember the whole thing with the P&C reporter on bloggers and how she asked me about black bloggers. Right or wrong, I just wanted be a blogger. I don’t know what a black blogger is. I only know me.
I simply wish to be seen as a human being and not as a walking sterotype, but I know that I must deal with the reality that I often am.
I’ve read her post…and almost all of the comments. Personally, I think she’s like most ultra lefties…trying to make herself seem “down” with whoever seems to be at the bottom of the totem pole. So sympathetic, compassionate. blah blah blah.
Anyways….I agree that everyone is prejudiced. I know I am. I try hard not to be, but I am.
I think what really ticked me off about the 99.9% of white people being racist, was she didn’t mention any other ethnic groups. Like because they are a minority, they can’t be racist. I can tell ya, from personal proof…that sure ain’t the truth. I’ve lived it MANY MANY times. And if you say a white person cannot be a victim of racism…you’re an idiot. Plain. Simple. Idiot.
I already commented on this on Ivy’s blog. Check it out. I also just did my own opinion on my blog. There are few things that get me riled up. This is one of them. (Please don’t feel I’m attacking you, cause I’m NOT!)
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