[verizon]

The word racist is thrown around quite often. I, your beloved thread creator, has been referred to as racist on these forums, and, surprisingly, only on these forums. What are some of the reasons for me being called racist? I acknowledge racial differences but is that racist? I acknowledge that East Asians have a greater spatial ability than Caucasians. I acknowledge it because I've seen evidence saying so. The evidence is so strong and reproduced. So if I'm at a dinner party and I casually mention that East Asians score higher on spatial ability than other groups, I can expect a weird look for bringing up a topic that you normally bring up in such a social gathering but wouldn't it be outrage in their eyes. They'd feel awkward that someone brought up a racial difference. Yet, no one in ear shot would say I'm racist. You know they won't because what I'm attributing to East Asians is not a negative trait. They would, however, feel it's racist if I said Whites have better spatial ability than all other groups. All I have to do is switch East Asians for Whites and I'd get a different reaction. I argue that outrage is just a socially instilled knee jerk reaction. Otherwise the different reactions makes no sense. This leads me to the conclusion that the word racist isn't properly used in American society.

So how do we properly use the word racist?

Lets look at the word. We all know the meaning of race. But how many of us are familiar with the suffix -ist?

-ist (ist, əst)

1. a person who does, makes, or practices (the thing specified): words so formed correspond to verbs ending in -ize or nouns ending in -ism: moralist, satirist
2. a person skilled in or occupied with; an expert in: druggist, violinist
3. an adherent of or believer in: anarchist
4. a person having or displaying prejudice related to: ageist
http://www.yourdictionary.com/ist-suffix Lets take a look at each one:

1. Is a racist someone does, makes, or practices race? That doesn't sound right.
2. Is a racist someone who is skilled at race? That doesn't sound right.
3. Is it an adherent or believer in race? Wait now, this can kind of work if we consider it's referring to ideology (anarchist, fascist, Communist, White supremacist, White segregationist, etc) . We can work with that.
4. A person having or displaying prejudice related to race? That certainly works.

So anyone displaying prejudice based on race would be a racist.

Anyone believing an ideology based on race is a racist.

So far, so good. Lets take the next step.

If I all Blacks are inherently criminally oriented, then that is a prejudice based on race.

Here's the tricky part. What if I'm simply wary of young, Black males and not older Black males or females? Would that fit the definition? NYC cab drivers are notorious for avoiding young Black males and avoiding taking anyone to particular Black communities. Is Muhammad, the Pakistani NYC cab driver, a racist? It's hard argue that it is in this particular case. Muhammad understands that that demographic has reputation for trouble and, for those who don't live near NYC, being a cab driver in NYC isn't a safe job. There have been many cab drivers robbed and there have been murders. In most cases the suspect is a young Black male. Our friend Muhammad is aware of this reality and he's also aware that Black women and older Black men are normally not trouble and so he has no problem picking them up. Muhammad is not a racist. He does not have a prejudice based on race but rather on known experiences with particular type of Black (young and male).

But what about his cousin Kamran? When Kamran goes to a dinner with Muhammad and sees they have a Black waitress, he lets his cousin know he's not happy about having a Black waitress. To Muhammad, Blacks are despicable. It doesn't matter if they're old, young, male, female, etc. Kamran is a racist. He has a prejudice based on race.

I don't think I need to say much about why an ideology based on race is racist.

So moving on...

Now we're back to me. You know I love the attention. I believe that there are racial differences. For example, Blacks and Whites excel at using differing muscle fibers for different activities, etc. All these differences are based on hard data. Does this make me racist? First of all, it can't be racist to acknowledge proven differences, both mental and physical. I don't place more value on trait over the other except when it comes to different tasks where a particular trait is best suited in getting the best results. Second of all, I don't have an ideology based on race. I believe superiority is subjective. Muhammad might be smarter than Kamran but Kamran might be stronger. Who is superior? It depends on what you value most or the situation. Do I believe showing prejudice towards a group based on race? Not all. I take many things into account when I see someone. Race is just one piece.

Conclusion: Not only am I not racist but I'm a totally good person who is deserving of many hugs and maybe even a sensual rub down.

Ignore any typos. I'm too tired to read over any of this a third time.

Oh, um, do you agree or not agree? What is your definition? I really do care.