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> Racism is not always arbitrary nor negative. On the contrary. A deep understanding of these issues leads one to the conclusion that stereotyping, whether pos
by lutusp 13y ago
> Racism is not always arbitrary nor negative.
On the contrary. A deep understanding of these issues leads one to the conclusion that stereotyping, whether positive or negative, is harmful because it reduces the described group to a set of cliches, thereby preventing the group from having equal standing with other groups.
If a group is stereotyped with a positive trait (Jews are smart, Asians are good at math), that stereotype will work against them in open competition with other groups (don't give Abraham extra help in class, he doesn't need it, he's Jewish). Same with negative stereotypes.
Tl;dr: stereotyping, regardless of what kind it is, stands in the way of equality and fair dealing.
- danieltillett 13y ago>stereotyping, regardless of what kind it is, stands in the way of equality and fair dealing. I agree, but I don't think I ever said that racism was "good", just that it is not always negative or arbitrary. One thing it always is is lazy. Individuals should always be treated as an individual and not as a member of some "convenient" grouping that enables a person to avoid having to think.
- lutusp 13y ago> I agree, but I don't think I ever said that racism was "good", just that it is not always negative or arbitrary. That doesn't change the meaning. My rejoinder says that racism, regardless of whether it elevates or degrades the subject group, always has negative effects.
- dllthomas 13y agoI read the grand-parent as a note that "denunciation" is overly narrow because it can also be praise that is overly weighted, overly generalized, or misapplied entirely - a claim you seem to agree with. It's "not negative" in the way that "positive feedback" is "not negative" - which says nothing about the consequences.