Originally Posted by ban basketball  "Racist" may not be the correct term, but using the word the word that I prefer-and the one you are likely referring to-prejudice, that would make you unusual.
I've worked with race issues for quite a few years now and I'm not sure that I've ever met anyone that does not have some type of racial prejudice. The trick is coming to recognize what it is and where it lies.
As for the "reverse racism," it's difficult for minority groups' "racism" to have much of an impact. This is because there isn't hundreds of years of history behind it that institutionally backed it and reinforced it. In addition, nor is there a power structure in society comprised of minorities that can keep it going. CEO's, politicians, local leaders, the courts, the police, etc, etc are still white males, and they can see to it that "minority racism" doesn't go very far. |
I couldn't disagree more strongly. Reverse racism is every bit as bad and does indeed have a strong impact in race relations.
As a personal example...
When my oldest son was about 6 years old our baby sitter had taken him to a park to play. At the time we lived in a very diverse community near the University of Minnesota. My son had friends of all races and ethnic backgrounds and combinations that anyone could imagine.
While at this park my son was playing with a another boy and they were having a great time playing. The other boy's older sister saw the two boys playing together, came over and punched my son and told my son "Stay away from my brother you white f******!" This girl then went on to scream at her brother for playing with a "white" kid.
It had never occurred to my son that a person's skin color would make a difference. When I came home from work he asked me why the event at the park had happened. I had a hard time getting across to him that sometimes other people may not like you just because of your skin color.
The event did make my son a more aware that racial biases exist but I think it even further reenforced his belief that they should not matter. My oldest son is in his early 20's and is married to a beautiful woman (with a PhD!) from China.
Throughout my oldest son's years in the K-12 school system as a "white" student he was in the minority in his classroom. I cannot tell you how many times he was the subject of racial slurs and bias by other "non-white" students. There were many times in school that special programs and opportunities for extra education or special training were available but he was not allowed to sign up for them because he was a "white" student.
So it has been my experience that "reverse racism" is every bit as harsh as any other form of racism and it is also a part of the "power structure".
My sons and I are also part Native American. Because our "amount" of Native American is under many of the "legal" definitions of Native American are we are not considered to be Native Americans. There is not another race that is required to have a certain amount to be considered bi-racial. So again my sons and I face racial discrimination.
Racial discrimination from any race against another is wrong- no excuses!
As a side note- In Minnesota Obama won by a large margin in this mostly "white" state and he received my so called "white vote" too!
Role of Race in PA Primary 
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