Do you find this "extremistic"?

[Jessamein]

I was aghast when someone close to me labeled me as an extremist today. That person said, "All dark skin people could be thieves because there are people with bad experiences with x race"

I was offended(I'm not of x race) and told that person that it was plain racism. Just because some people of x race has robbed people doesn't imply the whole of x race were thieves. That person also said that the niece had similarly said

"I don't want to go downstairs because there are many x people around"

I argued that why because of X people, she refuses to go downstairs? That person said "it's because most of the foreign workers are x people!" Well, many x people in my country are also not foreign workers. Note that she doesn't want to go downstairs not because there were many people. It's because they were of the x race.

Someone else in turn slammed me as a radical, because their views were simply not "aggressive enough" and it was "true" that such things happen, and "everyone" was allowed "their own views of things". Like come on, yes it is true you are allowed to have your own views of things, but racist things? I find it racist yet they say it is not racist.

Is this naturalised racism as we speak of, or is it simply my paranoia? To deem stereotypes as "true" of a certain race in my opinion is simply racist. Yet I am branded as a radical.

Do you agree about my viewpoint? If you do not, well, I welcome your reasoning and opposite views. Kindly do not flame me. I posted it on INTJ forum because I expect people here of adequate maturity. Thank you :)

[freeeekyyy]

Sounds like racism to me. It's disgusting...

[Synamon]

Why would anyone flame you for not being racist?

Yes, the stereotyping you described is the definition of racism.

Main Entry: rac·ism
Pronunciation: \ˈrā-ˌsi-zəm also -ˌshi-\
Function: noun
Date: 1933

1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial prejudice or discrimination

— rac·ist \-sist also -shist\ noun or adjective

[Jessamein]

Why would anyone flame you for not being racist?

Yes, the stereotyping you described is the definition of racism.

You know, I've met people who likes flaming people just because they do not hold the same view point as me....plenty of people.

And oh, my, god. It IS racism isn't it?! What absolutely makes me mad is the fact that they say it is not! That is a form of naturalised racism. I feel that that is scarier than being a racist that knows they're speaking bullshit.

I am so utterly disgusted. They say I'm getting angry over no reason. They say I'm being silly. Grawrrrrrrrrrr. It is not fair to brand people like that!

[Sneakypeex]

They are paranoid too if they didn't want to go downstairs because of x race. They can't label you as paranoid/extremist when they themselves are.

However, in their defense, stereotyping does has its truths in it sometimes.

[Synamon]

I am so utterly disgusted. They say I'm getting angry over no reason. They say I'm being silly. Grawrrrrrrrrrr. It is not fair to brand people like that!

Their argument consisted of the hasty generalization fallacy (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) and the ever popular "I'm entitled to my opinion (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)". They are lacking reason, not you.

[Jessamein]

They are paranoid too if they didn't want to go downstairs because of x race. They can't label you as paranoid/extremist when they themselves are.

However, in their defense, stereotyping does has its truths in it sometimes.

I know to a certain small widdle extent stereotyping has truth, especially if this applies to race issues. (A bigger extent to non-racial/religious issue). I believe regardless of race people can be good guys or bad guys. Just because a certain race has been highlighted for a moment for certain crimes doesn't imply everyone of them are criminals. The same goes for the victims. It doesn't mean the victims of the other race are sweet little angels.

[Sneakypeex]

And hmm, actually, I am guilty of this myself. There's a barbershop near my house with lots of people of x race (in fact, all people who go there are of that race), and because I'm another race, I am hesitant to go there. I may be a bit paranoid here.

[Jessamein]

Their argument consisted of the hasty generalization fallacy (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) and the ever popular "I'm entitled to my opinion (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)". They are lacking reason, not you.

The best, and most tragic part, is the fact that I love them so much. I can't believe that they actually have this kind of thoughts. You'll never imagine the high level of respect I had for them, has been shattered...I'll still love them, but I am confused.

---------- Post added 08-21-2010 at 07:26 PM ----------

And hmm, actually, I am guilty of this myself. There's a barbershop near my house with lots of people of x race (in fact, all people who go there are of that race), and because I'm another race, I am hesitant to go there. I may be a bit paranoid here.

I think that's because of the crowd issue, not because of race issue. I mean, maybe they're not of your clique and you feel awkward. It's not because they are of another race. I feel that sometimes because it's like you feel alienated? But it's nothing to do with race issues. I just feel strange because I never hang out with a different group before.

[Sneakypeex]

I think that's because of the crowd issue, not because of race issue. I mean, maybe they're not of your clique and you feel awkward. It's not because they are of another race. I feel that sometimes because it's like you feel alienated? But it's nothing to do with race issues. I just feel strange because I never hang out with a different group before.
Yup, could be. I'd feel alien in there. Also, they play loud rap music there, which I'm not too fond of, and I hate music that's turned on too loud. I love a more peace & quiet atmosphere.

[freeeekyyy]

Yup, could be. I'd feel alien in there. Also, they play loud rap music there, which I'm not too fond of, and I hate music that's turned on too loud. I love a more peace & quiet atmosphere.

Not knowing how to get along with somebody isn't the same as hating them, or thinking they're inferior for who they are.

[Jessamein]

Not knowing how to get along with somebody isn't the same as hating them, or thinking they're inferior for who they are.

Precisely :)

[Zombicide]

Not analytical thinkers I see of those with whom you argued. It is impossible for anything to be consistent with ethnicity, if it were, different ethnicities would never have been cultured and there would be no notion of ethnicity to argue, besides that, it's just obvious what actually matters. Though it's quite possible for it to make some sense before the mind has had time to sort out a modicum sufficient input (it is there for me to identify predators and the such after all), there is no reason to so subdivide my misanthropy, especially with regard to something that can contain members of my holy temperament, and I certainly won't try to make myself feel better about myself through psychological vampirism and the like ... in a circle jerk with members of the convergent evolutionary generic temperament / the enemy just so we can join into a pact to compliment one another.

All degenerates are degenerates. What your pal said is holistic thinking and probably not even genuinely so comprehensible as that so much as they're more likely using a simpleton's solution of trying to make themselves feel better about themselves / secure, particularly meaning secure in their reproductive success of that mechanism that drives their reproductive success since that (reproductive drive) tends to be an animal's main driving force whether it intends to reproduce or not. It's the bottom line.

[DrEvil]

I have zero tolerance for bigots of any description - race, gender, sexual orientation, height, age, socio-economics, etc.... I listen to them, wait 5 millseconds, and then simply point out the obvious fact that it sounds very much like they are describing mental illness, but that there is now very good treatment for their condition (a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder).

[Storm]

Yes, these people are racists. The reason they labeled you as "extremist" is because it makes it safer for them to cling to their backwards opinion. Easier to just label people who disagree with you as crazy and dumb than think about your own logic. Being a "racist" is a bad thing, simply being "realistic" instead of "brainwashed by the P.C. liberal media" makes you sound good.

Are these people family? How has their racism not bothered you before?

[rickster]

Wanting to be with your own race /group / culture isn't racist.
Excluding other races /groups / cultures from your group isn't racist.
Not wanting to be with another race /culture / group isn't racist.

When you focus excessively on your race beyond a normal sense of identification, and see another race as inferior or suspect then you are a racist.

When you come up with blame reasons why other races / groups / cultures impact negatively on your "superior" race, or society in general, then you are a racist.

Racists operate in a climate of over-simplifications of complex issues, and can be quite difficult to nail. It's really important to pull out the ethnocentric content of what they are saying otherwise you will drown in bullshit like "Oh I can't even talk about those people without being called a racist!" And they have all the "facts" about who commits the crimes etc.

Furthermore, there's little point in reasoning with a racist because their views are shaped by a "Mine is better" mindset. Not only do they believe their race is better, but they believe all their opinions on the subject are better as well. You can point out how warped their views are, but their mindset is also warped so you won't make much actual progress with fact-based reasoning.

[InfiniteLoop]

You aren't extremist - THEY'RE extremist. Racism is by definition a fear or intolerance of a group, and most people aren't like that. Their behavior is certainly extreme in viewpoint if they assume that "all people of X race are thieves". Just because some of X race could be thieves is not enough proof to assume they are all thieves, which is certainly NOT the case - we have a minority as President for crying out loud, and there are many other honest and hard-working minorities out there that aren't in government. And many, of course, who are (in which case I must adjust "Honest" to say "As honest as any politician can be" ;) ).

It's ridiculous and hilarious that they were calling you out for NOT holding their intolerant viewpoint when their viewpoint is the "extremist" one. I have an extremely low tolerance for racism, personally - I don't like it when African-Americans call others the "N-word", I don't like it when Hispanics call each other racist names, I don't even like it when whites call each other "Cracker". Period. Personally, if I found myself in the situation you described, I would bluntly have called them racist, left, and never associated with them again.

As for them possibly being family, that's not an excuse to accept their racism. A friend of my mother's has a father who is a member of the KKK, and her friend still has some residual beliefs of growing up in such a racist household, though they're mostly gone now. However, my mom knows and understands where her friend has come from, and doesn't tolerate certain viewpoints from her. Granted, this is not an example of family, but the same concept still applies.

[REMwoman]

And hmm, actually, I am guilty of this myself. There's a barbershop near my house with lots of people of x race (in fact, all people who go there are of that race), and because I'm another race, I am hesitant to go there. I may be a bit paranoid here.
This may be paranoia, but it could also be the "like me, not like me" tendency that is distributed worldwide. It seems to be coming in at almost the 'primate human' level. There have been many studies with subjects all over the world, ranging in age from toddlers to geriatrics. In all studies, human beings tend to want to clump to their own kind and tend to want to exclude or marginalize those who don't fit in. It's a tendency in crowds, even--if left to their own devices, people of one type will drift closer toward each other. This tendency can divide according to lines other than race, of course; for example, 'goths' versus 'ravers', or 'women in the kitchen, men out by the barbeque'.

[Jessamein]

Yes, these people are racists. The reason they labeled you as "extremist" is because it makes it safer for them to cling to their backwards opinion. Easier to just label people who disagree with you as crazy and dumb than think about your own logic. Being a "racist" is a bad thing, simply being "realistic" instead of "brainwashed by the P.C. liberal media" makes you sound good.

Are these people family? How has their racism not bothered you before?

Yeah, they're family. The reason why it hasn't bothered me a lot because they rarely bring this issue up. It just snapped the other day because one of them just said, "I'm not being racist! I have friends from x race too! ...............Just don't let them be your boyfriend or they'll try to cleanse themselves!"

They're not dumb or backward or anything. They're(at least one of them is) fair, reasonable people that have earned my respect and love. I just cannot see why they would shut their fairness when it comes to the race issue and simply say such things. I suspect the reason behind their words is because they've been brought up this way, and they see it as natural. :(

[Zsych]

I don't have a huge objection to racism. I think its a natural occurrence and can at times serve a function - if you were part of a super awesome society, and maintained your identity so that you remained that way... that could be a good thing.

Of course, generalization to the level of deciding that a whole race is inferior is overkill.

Lets say you live in a rich white neighborhood and nearby is a poor white neighborhood - chances are you wouldn't want your children to associate much with kids of the other neighborhood lest they pick up what you believe to be bad habits.

[rickster]

I don't have a huge objection to racism. I think its a natural occurrence and can at times serve a function - if you were part of a super awesome society, and maintained your identity so that you remained that way... that could be a good thing.

Of course, generalization to the level of deciding that a whole race is inferior is overkill.

And what would you say is the cut-off point huh? Or should a whole race be kind of "on trial", with a shifting percentage?

There's nothing wrong with maintaining a culture. But you're not talking about maintaining a culture are you? You're actually saying your race is better, and that meets racist criteria to the core.

Lets say you live in a rich white neighborhood and nearby is a poor white neighborhood - chances are you wouldn't want your children to associate much with kids of the other neighborhood lest they pick up what you believe to be bad habits.

If you're a racist you most certainly wouldn't, because you just know the "other neighborhood kids" were responsible for many of society's problems and you'd have a list of the reasons why.

And of course you would have a completely different take on the rich white kid next door who got your kids hooked on crack.

[Jinglish]

I don't know if it's always racism as much as xenophobia. Many of the people I've encountered with these biases don't have a problem with particular members of these groups whom they know and trust, but still view the group as a whole as bad, "except for so-and-so. They're all right."

[adastra]

I think you need to approach this more gently with your family members, especially if you think they may soften their views down the road. The quickest way to kill the potential for civilized discourse in this sort of situation is to call someone a racist. It's a very inflammatory label that people associate with skinheads, burning crosses, and swastikas. Your family members were being racist, of course...there's no doubt about that. But obviously the term means something else in their minds. Kind of like when people say they aren't homophobic, but they don't think gay people should be allowed to "act gay" in public.

Can you try to reason with them, without acting in a way that they will perceive as angry or radical? They might listen to you given the right conditions (calm, no accusations, etc). I firmly believe that racism can be unlearned. It's not always possible, but it can be done.

[radames]

Ironically, I was born in a family of the x race and was later adopted into a family of the x race and am now more comfortable hanging out with the latter x race which looks very weird when I am observed by those of the former x race.

[thod]

Perhaps the biggest problem is life is determining that which is true from that which are merely possibilities or stories. I was surprised to hear a work colleague make racist comments about Australian aborigines. Given that we were in England, it seemed an obscure group to be racist against, it didn't apply to other groups. As it turned out this guy visited Australia and was beaten up by a group of them. Since his single experience with the group was one of violence, he based his opinion on that. This is a very rational response. If a wolf bites you, you dislike wolves, despite all the nature lovers telling you they are harmless. This is distinguishing reality, at least your reality, from the stories.

[Muse]

Yes it is racism.
Yes they can have their opinion.
No you don't have to respect it. Or even yield to it.
But i wouldn't really consider them extremists. Racism isn't necessarily an extreme thing. Acting on racism, in an illegal manner especially, thats extreme.

So i guess that makes the girl upstairs a extremist, and the guys your talking to just enigmas.

[Jessamein]

Ironically, I was born in a family of the x race and was later adopted into a family of the x race and am now more comfortable hanging out with the latter x race which looks very weird when I am observed by those of the former x race.

Heh. I don't think we're talking of the same x race here. I don't live in the USA and I'm not "white". :P

---------- Post added 08-24-2010 at 12:41 AM ----------

Yes it is racism.
Yes they can have their opinion.
No you don't have to respect it. Or even yield to it.
But i wouldn't really consider them extremists. Racism isn't necessarily an extreme thing. Acting on racism, in an illegal manner especially, thats extreme.

So i guess that makes the girl upstairs a extremist, and the guys your talking to just enigmas.

To me, whether or not acting 'extremely' upon it doesn't matter. The fact that a person looks down on someone due to race is being extreme and unfair.

Even if you deem people who do not act extremely to be alright, I would like to remind you with that kind of notion in their brains, should there be a catalyst of any sort, I'd be more than sure racism will rear it's ugly head again in full force.

[DrEvil]

Perhaps the biggest problem is life is determining that which is true from that which are merely possibilities or stories. I was surprised to hear a work colleague make racist comments about Australian aborigines. Given that we were in England, it seemed an obscure group to be racist against, it didn't apply to other groups. As it turned out this guy visited Australia and was beaten up by a group of them. Since his single experience with the group was one of violence, he based his opinion on that. This is a very rational response. If a wolf bites you, you dislike wolves, despite all the nature lovers telling you they are harmless. This is distinguishing reality, at least your reality, from the stories.

It is only logical if he was beaten up by English people, and came to hate them too. To take it to its logical conclusion (and logic always begs that) then it would be logical to hate all people, because they were people who beat them up.

IMHO (as well as reading lots of psychology books) all irrational fears are based on unresolved feelings about something. Rational fears are like sitting in a bathtub full of poisonous snakes. Irrational fear is hating all of X group because some members assigned to X group once did something bad to you, or your parents made you fear them. Irrational fear (and therefore racism) is treatable. It is not through the symptoms though, but the cause.

[MagicalThanks]

There is nothing wrong with being a racist, only what you are against.

[rickster]

As it turned out this guy visited Australia and was beaten up by a group of them. Since his single experience with the group was one of violence, he based his opinion on that. This is a very rational response. If a wolf bites you, you dislike wolves, despite all the nature lovers telling you they are harmless. This is distinguishing reality, at least your reality, from the stories.

What a crock of shit justification for racism by analogy.

I loathe and despise cats - despite never being so much as one spitting at me. I'm a major dog lover who was bitten countless times before I learned how to handle them properly.

[Jessamein]

There is nothing wrong with being a racist, only what you are against.

That is a plain weak attempt to justify racism. That, in itself, is already laughable.

"Only what you are against", so are you saying it is alright to be racist if the racial group you are targeting happens to be of one that cannot fend for themselves? Or is it alright because you happen to have the upper hand? Is it alright because perhaps you have a lot of people backing you up?

Racism itself is unfair, ugly, wrong, and ruins humanity in my opinion. There is no reason why there can be "nothing wrong" with being a racist. To cast unfairness upon someone with no concrete reasons is wrong. And if this racism you feel is because you have the majority of mindless drones copying you, then shame on you for being INTJ or a rational human being who obviously cannot think and stand for what is blatantly right.

I had expected more in-depth answers by people on this forum and you, apparently and hopefully, are the atypical, minority of a forum member here.

---------- Post added 08-24-2010 at 11:56 PM ----------

What a crock of shit justification for racism by analogy.

I loathe and despise cats - despite never being so much as one spitting at me. I'm a major dog lover who was bitten countless times before I learned how to handle them properly.

._. I agree with the lousy justification part. However, why do you loathe kitties? They're so fluffy. But nevermind. Back to topic~

[MagicalThanks]

That is a plain weak attempt to justify racism. That, in itself, is already laughable.

"Only what you are against", so are you saying it is alright to be racist if the racial group you are targeting happens to be of one that cannot fend for themselves? Or is it alright because you happen to have the upper hand? Is it alright because perhaps you have a lot of people backing you up?

Racism itself is unfair, ugly, wrong, and ruins humanity in my opinion. There is no reason why there can be "nothing wrong" with being a racist. To cast unfairness upon someone with no concrete reasons is wrong. And if this racism you feel is because you have the majority of mindless drones copying you, then shame on you for being INTJ or a rational human being who obviously cannot think and stand for what is blatantly right.

I had expected more in-depth answers by people on this forum and you, apparently and hopefully, are the atypical, minority of a forum member here.

---------- Post added 08-24-2010 at 11:56 PM ----------



._. I agree with the lousy justification part. However, why do you loathe kitties? They're so fluffy. But nevermind. Back to topic~

For what is blatantly right? That, in itself, is laughable.

[Jessamein]

For what is blatantly right?

Racism isn't right.

Stupid people use silly little excuses to try and justify that racism is alright. Yours is the best I've come across. "Racism is RIGHT". You've brought fallacy to a whole new level. Congratulations.

[Intent]

The problem with racism is that you cannot convince them that they are wrong. Trying to reason against fear is near impossible and will most likely make you even more frustrated in front of them. Just have to let it be.. Feel sad for them, but let it be.

[Jessamein]

The problem with racism is that you cannot convince them that they are wrong. Trying to reason against fear is near impossible and will most likely make you even more frustrated in front of them. Just have to let it be.. Feel sad for them, but let it be.

True.
However, since this is a forum, I would expect a mini debate of sorts over it. :)

[Intent]

True.
However, since this is a forum, I would expect a mini debate of sorts over it. :)

From what I can tell, the answers have been mostly anti-racism. Since you are in the company of generally intelligent and open minded people ;) , I doubt you will encounter much bigotry here to provide an opposing view to yours. Racism is pretty cut and dry when it's out in the open.

My response was meant to provide insight on the people with whom you took issue, and to give you another view for any further communication you may have with them.

[ENFP]

I was aghast when someone close to me labeled me as an extremist today. That person said, "All dark skin people could be thieves because there are people with bad experiences with x race"

I was offended(I'm not of x race) and told that person that it was plain racism. Just because some people of x race has robbed people doesn't imply the whole of x race were thieves.
(snip...)
To deem stereotypes as "true" of a certain race in my opinion is simply racist. Yet I am branded as a radical.

Do you agree about my viewpoint? If you do not, well, I welcome your reasoning and opposite views. Kindly do not flame me. I posted it on INTJ forum because I expect people here of adequate maturity. Thank you :)

I agree with you. It sounds racist and racism is not just 'another opinion' or a personal taste to be 'respected'. Just like sexism or nationalism or religious extremism it is a matter of blowing up prejudices to universal truths and thus suppress individual expressions of self.

The other issue you mention is interesting, but nobody has adressed it so far, I think.
It actually happens quite often that the person who protests against injustice and prejudice and champions equality, tolerance, openness and fairness (in this case, you) is the one being called "extremist". While, objectively, it's the stereotyping of entire population groups based on their what happens to be their skincolour or sex or place of birth that is an extreme viewpoint.

You called it 'naturalised' - and that seems correct. That'd be when average, mainstream people, not really inclined towards extremism, will take extreme viewpoints as a matter of course, and not even notice that it is extreme because they are probably just naívely trying to conform with a majority opinion. They can get very upset if you protest because you destroy their illusion of being inoffensive and conform when you point them to the inherent extremism in positions they believed were harmless, unchallengable and socially acceptable.

In that upsetting situation they'll either have to think OR call you names to try to shut you up. Most people will indeed try at first to intimidate you (saying that YOU are extremistic for not supporting racism, puleez...), but when they have calmed down a bit, it's my experience that most will eventually start thinking and slowly revise their position. It's not pleasant to be the first or only one to start questioning a common prejudice but I'm convinced that by letting them know that you find racism wrong and dangerous, you are doing a lot of people a favour down the road. :thumbsup:

PS. You might want to check out the thread in the Relationship section: Damn, I don't know how to link to it, but it asks if INTJs are selfish in courtship, but soon touches upon similar issues as yours, only regarding gender-stereotypes, not race-stereotypes.

[MagicalThanks]

Racism isn't right.

For an INTJ, your mind seems to be totally warped.

Stupid people use silly little excuses to try and justify that racism is alright. Yours is the best I've come across. "Racism is RIGHT". You've brought fallacy to a whole new level. Congratulations.

You are extremely comical. Not all racism is correct, I cannot remember stating that..

[ktgrey]

Since you have claimed that racism may be valid if it is directed against the correct race, perhaps you would like to give some examples of such races and why it is appropriate to be racist against them.

[Jessamein]

You are extremely comical. Not all racism is correct, I cannot remember stating that..

Really? Then it must be your words which you have made a mistake in writing...

So, do tell us, in which area does racism become justified?

[Paul Siraisi]

It's a statistical fact that the average American black is more than twice as likely to commit a crime as the average American white. On the other hand, the chance that either will commit a crime at all is in the single digits.

So that's just reality. It's annoying to see this spun in any direction.

[MagicalThanks]

Really? Then it must be your words which you have made a mistake in writing...

So, do tell us, in which area does racism become justified?

Waste my time, or do the opposite.. Hard choice.

If I explained in the areas which racism becomes justified, you would merely reject it.

Enjoy your wonderful, eventful day. ;)

[Angie1988]

Racism is never justified. However, if you look at it rationally and from a cumulative historical perspective in the US, blacks and native americans should have much more of a fear of whites commiting crimes against them than vice versa...and please, this is not just a crime that dates back centuries...I am also referring to the white collar crimes of inequality born out of that system that still permeate our society!

[Epictetus]

It's a sad day when people consider a rational viewpoint to be extremist.

[Angie1988]

IMHO, it is not rational to take an isolated experience to an extreme and extrapolate it to future experiences. However, it is rational to take multiple such experiences over time to an extreme and extrapolate it to future experiences.

[Haildancer]

It's a statistical fact that the average American black is more than twice as likely to commit a crime as the average American white. On the other hand, the chance that either will commit a crime at all is in the single digits.

So that's just reality. It's annoying to see this spun in any direction.

When I began reading this thread I wondered to myself just how long it would take for someone to step up and make this point. There is plenty of information out there to back up this statement, but your post is missing some key information which, if you do not mind, I will attempt to address.

Racism is wrong. It is attention which is misdirected, to say the least. While most find it to be despicable and sorely contrary to the values with which we were raised, we must remember that not all were raised thus. However, while one might argue that the OP's conflict is one solely based upon racism, I would actually tend to disagree. I believe that the conflict is one based upon a stereotype which has fostered a racist fear.

Stereotypes exist for a reason. While one might argue that it is unfair to "judge a book by its cover," passing judgment on another person based upon their appearance, body language, etc., is human nature. We do it to protect ourselves. Our number one priority is to preserve our own lives. In order to do this, we avoid dangerous situations and people, and seek out comfort, happiness, and safety when we have the choice to do so. This goal of preservation extends to those we choose to engage with within the population and extended community.

The difference between those who allow a stereotype to shape their view of an entire race, and those who do not hinges on an ability which cannot be found at equal levels in all human beings: Rational thought.

Logically speaking, I believe that your acquaintance is well aware that not all "race x" are thieves. However, stereotypes breed fear...and fear, being a mid-brain activity which causes physiological responses that are uncomfortable, also inhibits frontal lobe activity. The frontal lobe is where rational/critical/logical thought occurs.

Bottom line: Your acquaintance is allowing their fear to cloud judgment.

[Sloph]

Waste my time, or do the opposite.. Hard choice.

If I explained in the areas which racism becomes justified, you would merely reject it.

Enjoy your wonderful, eventful day. ;)

Please, for the sake of enlightening this discussion, express to us what cases racism is proper. Are you going to make some vague argument about the prudentiality of formulating an opinion on a race based on statistical probability, and claim that that justifies it? I would much prefer a moral justification, if you could provide one.