Gaviidae said:
But as we already discussed Asians do not suffer the same prejudice as blacks.
Yes, but we've also addressed some of the possible reasons for this, too. Their skin color is not significantly different from most white Americans, and so it does not become a visual cue for their being "different". Asians also tend to come from cultures that strongly emphasize subverting the personality of the individual in favor of the needs of the collective, and this is reflected in their cultural mannerisms. Remember that the heart of our prejudice against other people is based on our fear of their differences. If they tend to behave in a very subservient manner, we will tend not to feel so threatened by their being different from us, and so they will tend to illicit a less prejudiced responce from us as a consequence.
Gaviidae said:
Also I do not believe it is simply the skin color. Blacks in suits (that aren't in courtrooms) are perceived differently than blacks in gangbanger clothes.
Of course. The man in the suit is obviously trying to "fit into" his society. The suit is a sign of his trying not to be "different", and therefor of his intention not to be threatening. The gangbanger is doing just the opposite. His dress and mannerisms are designed to threaten. He has already placed himself outside of society at large and overtly identifies himself with a criminal sub-culture and is proud of it. We have good reason to fear him because his threats are not empty. While we have little reason to fear the man in the suit, because it's unlikely that he is a threat.
Unfortunately, when we see a black skinned 'threat' on TV or on the street, we attach that threat to the color of his skin, so much so that even when he puts on a suit we don't entirely trust him, as we would trust a white-skinned man in the same suit. (This is what BillyBob is trying to do with his constantly reminding us that the looters in New Orleans were black skinned. He is attaching their criminality to their skin color.) This is a prejudice that the black man can't overcome, because he can't change the color of his skin. And this is a prejudice that remains an obstacle to his joining society that white people don't have before them. It's an unfair prejudice based on the color of his skin. In a word, it's racism.
Gaviidae said:
Here we meet so few blacks that it's easy to reinforce stereotypes. The problem is when a black man blends in you just see a man. When a black man acts differently you see a black man. So ironically, the less racist you are the more you stereotype races.
I think we always see a 'black' man. But if we don't feel threatened by what we see, then we can treat him like any other man. The trouble is that the threat WE feel or don't feel usually isn't the fault of the black man in front of us. So he can't really do anything about it. He can dress and talk and act "white" (why should he have to?), but he's still not white. And he can't make us stop attaching our fears to his skin color. Only we can do that.
You say that you don't attach any fear to skin color, and that your fear of black people is based only on the actual threat they present, but I'm not sure I really believe you. I think we are all racially prejudiced to a greater and lesser degree.
Gaviidae said:
I disagree that it is important to recognize it.
It's important to recognize it because we are hurting people by practicing racial prejudice against them, and it should be important to us that we don't do that. The only way to stop doing it is to first recognize that we do it, and try to catch ourselves doing it in time to stop ourselves from acting on it.
Gaviidae said:
And I disagree there is any way to stop ourselves.
We'll never be perfect, but we could certainly be better. Things are already much better than they were in America 40, or 80, or 120 years ago, regarding racism.
Gaviidae said:
If I see a group of black kids walking into a movie theater, if I understand I'm upset because they're black it doesn't change anything.
It would if you would also understand that the color of their skin is unreasonably making you uncomfortable - that you are perceiving them unfairly as a theat just because of their race.
Gaviidae said:
My stereotype (often reinforced) tells me that this will probably turn into a negative experience at the theater. How does recognizing it help any? When I interview someone for a job I may recognize that I'm stereotyping them but all other things being equal if they show signs of acting black I won't hire them.
That's because you think "acting black" means acting bad. You are racist. And because you are racist, when a black man comes to you looking for a job, he is confronted with the obstacle of your fear and prejudice; that you have attached to the color of his skin, and are therefor holding against him without even knowing him.
He knows this. He's been tripped up by this time and time and time again in his efforts to become a successful and respected member of society. Is it really any wonder that he might finally become so discouraged and disgusted by this unreasonable fear and prejudice against him that he'd just quit trying, and join the sub-culture of those other folks who also got disgusted and gave up?
That black gangbanger on the corner that you so fear was in part created BY YOUR FEAR. And by the prejudice that your fears have attached to his skin color. He believes that you will never let him into your society, and he's decided that you are now his enemy. And in a way, he's right. You won't let him in and you are his enemy. So why should he care about your laws, and respect your person and property? How have you shown that you respect him or his?
Hatred breeds hatred, and racial hatred breeds racial hatred. Fortunately, the problem is not nearly that extreme, yet. And in fact I think things are slowly getting better. But we need to keep reminding ourselves of our own part in it.
Gaviidae said:
In my opinion, ebonics was one of the worst things to happen to the black community since the '60s. We now have affirmation that blacks don't want to act "white" and an excuse to make fun of them and look down at them. It's not about racism it's about forming a different culture and then expecting the more successful culture to accept you as equals.
Perhaps if we'd let them into the culture at large, as we have with so many other white immigrant groups, they wouldn't be harking back to their cultural ancestry. We don't see the Irish, or German, or Italian Americans harking back to their roots. That's because they're fully invested Americans, and they know it.
Gaviidae said:
Most people can admit to it. Doesn't change anything. I still get nervous if I see a group of men walking on my side of the street wearing hip hop clothes. Doesn't matter the color of their skin but it is most likely to be black.
Nothing ever changes if we just don't care. The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. If I were to look into my own heart and find that I simply didn't care that I'm hurting someone else, I would be horrified, and then saddened beyond all tears.
oly: