rac·ist
?r?s?st/
noun
noun: racist; plural noun: racists
1.
a person who believes that a particular race is superior to another.
synonyms: racial bigot, racialist, xenophobe, chauvinist, supremacist More
“he was exposed as a racist”
(racially) discriminatory, racialist, prejudiced, bigoted
“a racist society”
adjective
noun: racist; plural noun: racists; adjective: racist
1.
having or showing the belief that a particular race is superior to another.
“we are investigating complaints about racist abuse at the club”
It fascinates me how often I get accused of being a racist. Or at least my comments get called “that’s so racist”. Which sets it up for “you’re so racist”.
Now, I have my opinions in life. But since saying “Black people are…..” does that mean racism. Or when I say “white people are…..”. If they are that way then its simply a comment of an observation. Right?
Now if I said they are this and that alluding to the fact that I am better than them, well then that is racist.
I find that because of our past in South Africa, we are very sensitive when it comes to the mention of colour. Now commenting and saying a statement like ” Black people eat a lot of fried chicken” is a true statement. Does it mean I am looking down on them for that? Because that would be a racist thought.
But making the comment does not assume racist thoughts. Its merely a statement based on observation.
I could just as easily say “Coloured people love gatsbies” which is true. Generally speaking of course. “White people have strange finger foods and have nibbles for food”. Does it mean my view is better?
I am of the belief that true unity comes from accepting the differences. Rather than having a society that never mentions colour (but thinks it). When we learn that we are all different, and that it is okay to be different.
Fundamentally however, I have never grasped racism. When I think and look at it from every angle. I cannot seem to see how it fits in humanity. Intellectually it makes no sense. Our skin colour is just that, skin colour. Behaviour is not determined by your skin colour. It is how you grow up.
I say this because I still experience it internally. When I walk into a room that is filled with white people, there is a slight tension. I cannot explain it, and of course one can never say anything……because that would be racist…..lol:)
Or when white people talk to me, I mean those ones that don’t really engage with coloured people on a day to basis. They talk slowly and softer. I think they afraid to offend me. Little do they know the string of comments coming their way. I have found that I can say black and coloured and white……but they cannot. 🙂
And I use this to my advantage. Okay so maybe not so much, and one should really use opportunities when they come across one’s path, Correct?
So if you think you better than the next person and that person seems to be of a different colour persuasion, then you are a racist. Bask in it. Not a good thing, but you have to be honest with yourself.
So my friends and others of the lighter and darker persuasion, I do not think I am better than you. I will however comment on your mannerisms. You may too.
But let us all get to know and embrace the differences as just that, differences.
the honest one
that’s so racist…. http://t.co/P8uJMUn5r9
http://t.co/P8uJMUEGPJ http://t.co/LnGSNggZb3
Conventional wisdom in South Africa today has it that only Whites are racist, and that it is impossible for Blacks to be racist. To claim that any person of colour is racist is therefore a racist statement. This comment is racist.