Racism is first and foremost an ideology. It believes, wrongly, that we as humans are split into different "races," an idea for which there is no biological or other scientific basis. This ideology is really quite radical, if you think about it. But it has become so ingrained and endemic to our society that we have nearly all come to accept it, repulsive though it should be. So rather than accept the inconvenient truth that nearly everyone in our country is a racist - that is someone who accepts and basically agrees with this racist ideology - some people have tried to redefine racism as the petty activities in an ongoing societal feud, which continues to be routinely fueled by the mass media, racial opportunists and populist politicians, especially in the months immediately preceding our national elections. As we have all witnessed for many years, this a self-appeasing and futile exercise. I challenge everyone to reject racism by rejecting the racist ideology from each of your own minds. Cast it out and refuse to agree with it. Embrace the truth that there is only one race, the human race. Do not believe the lie that there we are divided into different races according to our skin color. We are One Race. Who will join me?
My intentions are exactly as I say they are. What is interesting is that even though I am aggressively calling for people to abandon their support for the racist ideology that infects our minds and plagues our nation, there seems to be a clear vibe of resistance and push back from many on the left here on this. We have different views on this, I have no doubt. What we are seeing here is who stands for what. And it appears that the suggestion that racism be eliminated from our brains on a voluntary basis is not something that you folks are really very interested in.
I can't speak for others, but I am quite glad that you are ready to abandon your support for the racist ideology that infects your mind.
It sounds great, but ultimately if you (or me or anyone) is unwilling to explain the meaning and implications of the words we use to any depth, few will consider them very seriously. I think many here suspect you are not really interested in engaging in an honest conversation, only in trying to shame people you consider your ideological opponents (the "many on the left"). I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. Can you answer how you distinguish when one is supporting a racist ideology? Merely trying to categorize a group based on them being "black" or "white" is obviously not enough, because that can easily be interpreted in a way that doesn't presume race is a biologically valid category. You already agreed, for example, that there is nothing wrong in examining the attitudes of people who self-identify with a particular race. Respond to this, and I think that would be a good start to a potentially productive conversation.
Are you kidding me? I am supposed to feel responsible or even guilty because they feel shamed by their unwillingness to reject this vile ideology of racism? They should be ashamed. And so should you. Also, this challenge is extended to people on the left and right alike. This problem is pervasive throughout our country; and as far as I am concerned, nobody should get a free pass because of their political affiliations, or for any other reason.
You cut off the part that says "I want to give you the benefit of the doubt". And I don't know what exactly you want me to be ashamed of: [rquoter] Racism is first and foremost an ideology. It believes, wrongly, that we as humans are split into different "races," an idea for which there is no biological or other scientific basis. This ideology is really quite radical, if you think about it. But it has become so ingrained and endemic to our society that we have nearly all come to accept it, repulsive though it should be. [/rquoter] The only real point you seem to be making through all of this is we should reject the notion that there is a biological basis for different races. Sure I reject it. Is that it?
We are all one race, the human race. It is primarily about acceptance of that basic and obvious truth, and also the acceptance of every person as part of our own race. Of course you cannot embrace that truth while simultaneously continuing to support the racist ideology that we are divided into different races.
