Racism

[morrigirl]

Anyone uttering the words "I'm not racist" will almost always follow said statement with a "but..." that proves they are.

C'mon people use your heads. If you really aren't racist then you should have no reason to declare it, the fact will be evident in your actions and behavior. Victims of racism know what it looks, sounds, and tastes like. They can't be fooled. If you really are racist it'll shine through no matter how often you swear you aren't.

Comments

[dpsycho.livejournal.com]

I disagree. Mine observation is that the phrase is, itself, an indicator of a sad state of things nowadays that is a step beyond racism. There are people who are so simply incited to declare racism that it is impossible to make an observation or, in some cases, reveal data from a study that could be (mis)construed as an attack on any minority group. Is it racist to report to the police that you were mugged by a [minority group member]? Or, perhaps, to observe that [minority group members] often seem to be the ones driving dangerously slowly, littering, leaving the toilet seat up/down? No, because there are reasons for these distinctions, and likenesses that are common to groups of people with similar life circumstances. However, it is too often difficult to make such a statement without the likelihood of someone turning around and making the accusation that an observation or truthful account can only be the result of a hatred for the generalized group, instantly rendering anything that you say irrelevant on account of supposed bias.

The phraze "I'm not racist, but..." is not a mask for making a racist comment. It is the result of a fear for backlash and personal retaliation for, what may very well be, a valid observation or account. I don't like racism, but I absolutely loath the act of "crying racist." It probably fuels more racism than it quells.

I don't mean this to say that you're incorrect, Carla. I don't doubt that this phrase is often used by specific people to say something racist, and that it is quite clear that you must observe this often. Still, I believe that the problem lies far deeper than that. It's pathetic, but too often people do, in fact, have to declare it.