Doesn’t Matter Who Wins the K Race; We’re All the Same

[ThurgreedMarshall]

Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield

If everyone everywhere is racist toward every race, which is the definition you’re offering, then the word has no real meaning. I honestly, truly, do not care what anyone thinks, and I do not have concern for people feeling bad about being called racists. The problem isn’t that your definition is an insult or accusation. I long ago grasped that argument.

You have not. That is clear from absolutely everything you write.

Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield

It’s that you’ve now create a word indistinguishable from “biased.” The word doesn’t mean anything anymore. You’re just saying everyone is biased. Seems kind of dumb, given people are all biased toward others based on appearance and background.

The word most definitely has a meaning. Just because it's more expansive than terms like "bigot" does not render it useless.

Many words are expansive and can be applied with nuance. If, as you say you got a long time ago, you understand the word isn't pejorative in every instance, then why is it so hard to understand that no one is going around saying, "Every person is a racist!" even if technically that is true. The point is an act is or isn't racist, regardless of intention. It can be a grand act or a minor act. All anyone is saying is that we all carry some racism with us.

When someone asks my wife to take their coat while we're waiting for a table at a restaurant, that person has done something racist. If you're telling me that I can't describe that unintentional act as racism (and/or sexism, I suppose), then the word truly has no meaning.

Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield

Italians, Irish, Spanish, Korean... Everybody has some bias toward everyone based on background. I understand your point. You’re missing mine. When everyone’s racist, no one’s racist.

No. I'm not missing your point. Everyone has bias, that's true. Everyone has sexist tendencies too. The point is to make an effort to minimize them as best you can. And limiting the definition to acts requiring bad intent makes no sense when trying to achieve that end.

Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield

ETA: I also will never accept the logic that the society and the invididual are indistinguishable.

No one is making this argument.

Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield

ETA2: A definition that would also allow a white person to call a black person in this country a racist also strikes me too broad.

I won't get into the distinction between racism and race prejudice. But just because black people harbor biases as well doesn't somehow render the concept pointless.

TM