Split from: Duke lacrosse thread--Reverse racism

[gnome]

Not trying to lead an inquisition here, but I think this comment bears discussion.

No such thing as reverse racism, its a term made up to shift guilt

There are really two ways to take this, and I'm not sure which you mean...

Are you saying that the term "reverse racism" is invalid, because racism is racism? Or are you rejecting the idea of black-on-white racism? I have heard such a position before, based on the idea that racism can only be persecution of a minority by a majority. I personally believe that is an inadequate definition, and that racism should be considered any judging of someone or treating them with disrespect based on their race, whether it is a minority or not.

 

[DanishDynamite]

I personally believe that is an inadequate definition, and that racism should be considered any judging of someone or treating them with disrespect based on their race, whether it is a minority or not.

I agree. But what is your view on the concept of "reverse racism"?

 

[pipelineaudio]

Not trying to lead an inquisition here, but I think this comment bears discussion.



There are really two ways to take this, and I'm not sure which you mean...

Are you saying that the term "reverse racism" is invalid, because racism is racism? .

yes, and to even suggest otherwise, is in fact a form of racism

 

[RandFan]

Are you saying that the term "reverse racism" is invalid, because racism is racism?

I can't speak for pipeline but yes, racism is racism. Yes, I accept that there is a disparity that needs to be corrected. There is an uneven playing field. The solution isn't racism.

 

[Tmy]

I think alot of people consider that when someting is "race based" it is alos "racism". That is not allways true.

 

[Skeptic]

Surely the question is if you hurt another race? E.g., making clothes that are designed to look best on black men is "race based" but hardly "racist", since nobody is hurt by it. But accepting people to college based on their race hurts people unjustly.

 

[steverino]

...making clothes that are designed to look best on black men is "race based" but hardly "racist", since nobody is hurt by it..

I'm not hurt by it, but it CAN BE painful to see.

 

[Tony]

Randfan got it right. Racism is racism. "Reverse racism" is nonsense.

 

[gnome]

Ok, sounds like there isn't a dispute on this after all. False alarm everyone...! Sorry, sorry...

 

[gnome]

I agree. But what is your view on the concept of "reverse racism"?

I suppose there is more to say since I was asked a question

In context, the term "reverse racism" could be used to point out that a minority is capable of racism as well (as in, that it's the "reverse" of what you usually hear about). But I don't think it really helps, might as well just call it racism.

 

[Katana]

Gnomist.

 

[drkitten]

In context, the term "reverse racism" could be used to point out that a minority is capable of racism as well (as in, that it's the "reverse" of what you usually hear about).

Yup. "Reverse racism" is a useful concept if you want to stress the fact that the particular instance under discussion is discrimination against the majority/empowered group. That's unusual enough that it gets a specialist term of its own.

But I don't think it really helps, might as well just call it racism.

Sure it helps. It enables us explicitly to discuss a rather unusual and non-stereotypical kind of racism. (LInguists use the term "markedness" to describe this. The fact that a penguin is a bird doesn't make the term "flightless bird" unhelpful.)