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AP poll: Majority harbor prejudice against blacks

Aunt Spiker said:
I don't know why it's so hard to just accept that racists - no matter what they are or who they don't like - do not constitute the majority of our population.
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I wish that were true, but I think that a pretty solid majority of our population is racist, to some degree. I don't think that necessarily means that they consciously dislike a certain race and/or consciously believe themselves to be superior. With many people, it's much more subtle than that and they don't even realize they're doing it. For example, if someone acts/speaks differently around a black colleague than around a white colleague because they've subconsciously made some assumptions about the person based on their race, that's still racism...even if they don't mean to do it.

I don't think this kind of racism is necessarily even a character flaw. It's just a human foible, that people should be aware of so that they can correct it when they catch themselves doing it.
 
IN other news, there is so little real and substantive racism left in the United States that race-baiters have decided to make up an entirely new category of racism to whine about: "unconscious racism".

All you need to be unconsciously racist is to be white. Now isn't that special? :roll:
 
the_recruit said:
Why do you suspect the test I linked is flawed? Because you don't like the results?
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No, because I think showing images and then displaying words and trying to infer somehow that the speed in which people press the button is representative of anything at all is ridiculous.


To be honest, I really don't understand why the suggestion that people have subconscious racial preferences is so controversial or why it seems to offend some people. I mean, it's subconscious - you have no control over it so you shouldn't feel bad about it. It's not much different than, say, people who tend to be more sexually attracted to a particular race than another.
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I wasn't offended by anything, except for maybe the goofy methodology.
 
Goshin said:
I got news for ya: the negativity towards Obama has nothing to do with his race, except for a few fringers. It is because of failed policy.
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I agree. Well - because of failed policy AND political partisanship, but, yeah, I don't think race has much to do with it.

People like to dismiss the fact that we elected a black president as a false flag that racism is over. Racism may not be gone, but electing a black president is absolutely proof of just how much racial attitudes have changed since the civil rights era. People also like to suggest that it's only because Obama's a democrat and that the republicans are still racist. But i don't think that's true - perhaps a higher incidence but I believe the vast majority of Americans democrats and republicans are egalitarian. I mean look at Herman Cain - his race didn't prevent him from doing very well among republicans until his scandal broke.
 
Goshin said:
All you need to be unconsciously racist is to be white. Now isn't that special? :roll:
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actually, as I recall blacks also showed a preference towards whites as well. It wasn't skewed as strongly towards whites, though, as it is among whites.
 
When will liberals realize that racism no longer exists?
 
Republic Now! said:
No, because I think showing images and then displaying words and trying to infer somehow that the speed in which people press the button is representative of anything at all is ridiculous.
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what it shows is a mental association. your brain, and mine, are apparently wired such that we tend to associate "african-american" faces with "bad" stuff and "european-american" faces with "good" stuff.

How much those associations, if at all, affect our decisions is unknown.


Republic Now! said:
I wasn't offended by anything, except for maybe the goofy methodology.
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was referring to other reactions in this thread
 
Goshin said:
IN other news, there is so little real and substantive racism left in the United States that race-baiters have decided to make up an entirely new category of racism to whine about: "unconscious racism".
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You can pretend that it doesn't exist if you like; you may not recognize it because it generally does not affect white people as much as it affects other races. To give an example, an Asian woman I know was recently at a career fair at her business school. She was talking to a potential recruiter, and he complimented her on her English skills. Considering that she was born in Chicago and has lived her entire life in the US, she wasn't quite sure how to respond.

Now I'm sure that the recruiter didn't intend any offense, and it didn't have any negative consequence on my friend's life. But to pretend that this isn't an example of racism is to be willfully blind. It's a perfect example of subconscious racism...the recruiter obviously made some (untrue) assumptions about her background based on her race. And these kind of things happen all the time, with the perpetrator rarely even being aware that he/she is doing it.
 
Kandahar said:
You can pretend that it doesn't exist if you like; you may not recognize it because it generally does not affect white people as much as it affects other races. To give an example, an Asian woman I know was recently at a career fair at her business school. She was talking to a potential recruiter, and he complimented her on her English skills. Considering that she was born in Chicago and has lived her entire life in the US, she wasn't quite sure how to respond.

Now I'm sure that the recruiter didn't intend any offense, and it didn't have any negative consequence on my friend's life. But to pretend that this isn't an example of racism is to be willfully blind. It's a perfect example of subconscious racism...the recruiter obviously made some (untrue) assumptions about her background based on her race.
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I'm not sure I classify that as racism. Racism is a belief that a particular race is superior/inferior to another. That's different than simply making an incorrect assumption about a person on the basis of race. Sure, you can define "racism" that way. But in my opinion there should be separate terms to differentiate the two ideas.
 
Kandahar said:
You can pretend that it doesn't exist if you like; you may not recognize it because it generally does not affect white people as much as it affects other races. To give an example, an Asian woman I know was recently at a career fair at her business school. She was talking to a potential recruiter, and he complimented her on her English skills. Considering that she was born in Chicago and has lived her entire life in the US, she wasn't quite sure how to respond.

Now I'm sure that the recruiter didn't intend any offense, and it didn't have any negative consequence on my friend's life. But to pretend that this isn't an example of racism is to be willfully blind. It's a perfect example of subconscious racism...the recruiter obviously made some (untrue) assumptions about her background based on her race. And these kind of things happen all the time, with the perpetrator rarely even being aware that he/she is doing it.
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Bud, no offense, but I think MLK would laugh at what present-day people think is "racism". Not being allowed to enter businesses, not being allowed to drink from the water fountain, not being welcome at motels or restaurants, not being allowed an equal opportunity to get a job or a promotion even if qualified.... fire hoses and police dogs biting your ass... now THAT was racism.

It's gotten to the point that to keep the "movement" moving and the money coming in, the race baiters have to INVENT something to be outraged about... "subconscious racism"... :roll:

It makes me think of a teenager who thinks he suffered a great hardship because his XBOX wouldn't work all weekend. We have it so easy we have to make **** up to feel like we're still in some kind of "struggle"...
 
the_recruit said:
I'm not sure I classify that as racism. Racism is a belief that a particular race is superior/inferior to another. That's different than simply making an incorrect assumption about a person on the basis of race. Sure, you can define "racism" that way. But in my opinion there should be separate terms to differentiate the two ideas.
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Fair enough. I tend to use the more colloquial definition of racism, which would include other types of racial prejudice as well. But "prejudice" might be the more all-encompassing term.
 
Goshin said:
Bud, no offense, but I think MLK would laugh at what present-day people think is "racism". Not being allowed to enter businesses, not being allowed to drink from the water fountain, not being welcome at motels or restaurants, not being allowed an equal opportunity to get a job or a promotion even if qualified.... fire hoses and police dogs biting your ass... now THAT was racism.

It's gotten to the point that to keep the "movement" moving and the money coming in, the race baiters have to INVENT something to be outraged about... "subconscious racism"... :roll:

It makes me think of a teenager who thinks he suffered a great hardship because his XBOX wouldn't work all weekend. We have it so easy we have to make **** up to feel like we're still in some kind of "struggle"...
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gramps, have you been hitting the sauce again? :lol:
 
the_recruit said:
gramps, have you been hitting the sauce again? :lol:
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Nope, just being real. I have great respect for those who fought for civil rights in an era when there was real and serious wrongs to fight against... and when doing this could endanger your very life. It is the modern self-aggrandizing and overhyped race baiters I despise... they are not fit to wipe the dirt off MLK's shoes.
 
Goshin said:
Careful, your own racism is showing. :)
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No, I'm a white male too. I just think that it's a lot easier to compare subconscious racism to a broken Xbox when you're not the one who confronts it on a daily basis. I don't think there are very many minorities who would agree that just because things were a lot worse in the past, that they should just be grateful for the level of acceptance they have and stop worrying about it.

It's difficult for us, as white people, to understand the constant barrage of subtle racism that many minorities are exposed to. I'm not trying to offend anyone here, but for some more humorous examples of these kind of subtle racial prejudices, I recommend the following videos. Not everything stated within these videos is necessarily racist, but enough of it is to get the point across. Parental discretion is advised. ;)

**** White Guys Say... to Asian Girls (Parody of **** Girls Say) - YouTube

**** White Girls Say...to Black Girls - YouTube
 
MaggieD said:
Thanks for the link, Recruit. The test I saw re African-Americans started off by asking me which skin color I prefer. I'm sorry, but I don't consider that a question that shows or denies prejudice. I don't even KNOW what skin color I prefer, for heaven's sake. No offense, but the test I clicked on had no credibility, in my opinion. Show me pictures of African-Americans considered beautiful and white people considered beautiful and ask me which one I prefer. "What skin color do you prefer." Indeed.
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i prefer a hot black chick over a skank ass white chick any day. funny that i've seen many black dudes that seem to prefer skank ass (and many times FAT) white chicks over hot black chicks.
 
The objection to blacks, Mexicans, whatever, is not due to skin color, but to cultural differences.

It's an excellent tool for loons seeking votes to convince their client groups that they are disliked because of their skin color, and then define that as the beloved "Racism" ascribed to whites, but that isn't truthful or helpful to anyone but the particular loon seeking election.

It would be much more helpful to examine the various cultural characteristics that differentiate the races, however the liberals have effectively covered that base by labeling such any such examination as "stereotyping" or "profiling."

The end result is such incredibly stupid statements as "Those who vote against Obama do so because of his black skin color." This is how the liberals keep their various constituent groups angry and voting correctly.
 
Goshin said:
It makes me think of a teenager who thinks he suffered a great hardship because his XBOX wouldn't work all weekend. We have it so easy we have to make **** up to feel like we're still in some kind of "struggle"...
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Or like an adult who is still blaming his parents for how screwed up he is. At some point, you gotta put down your anger and your excuses, and get your **** together, or you'll always be dysfunctional.
 
Kandahar said:
No, I'm a white male too. I just think that it's a lot easier to compare subconscious racism to a broken Xbox when you're not the one who confronts it on a daily basis. I don't think there are very many minorities who would agree that just because things were a lot worse in the past, that they should just be grateful for the level of acceptance they have and stop worrying about it.

It's difficult for us, as white people, to understand the constant barrage of subtle racism that many minorities are exposed to. I'm not trying to offend anyone here, but for some more humorous examples of these kind of subtle racial prejudices, I recommend the following videos. Not everything stated within these videos is necessarily racist, but enough of it is to get the point across. ;)

**** White Guys Say... to Asian Girls (Parody of **** Girls Say) - YouTube

**** White Girls Say...to Black Girls - YouTube
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Bud, there's always going to be people who are "prejudiced" against others for various reasons... some of those reasons may be rational ("I don't like Amy because she's a bitch") or irrational ("I don't like Joe because he's Mexican").

People can be prejudiced against blacks, jews, hispanics, gays, straights, asians, conservatives, liberals, midwesterners, southerners, jersey-ites, christians, muslims, gingers, fat people... you name it.

The point is that real, impactful INSTITUTIONALIZED racism is pretty much dead, and expressing any slightest negativism towards any race is now the new definition of "evil" in modern society.

MLK pretty much won.

What's left is a few coffee dregs in the bottom of the cup, and the race-baiters are overhyping it to death for political and financial gain when it isn't a drop in the bucket compared to 1955. That's why the hysteria over this so-called "subconscious racism" crap is a big belly-laugh to me... mountains, mole hills. :roll:
 
the_recruit said:
what it shows is a mental association. your brain, and mine, are apparently wired such that we tend to associate "african-american" faces with "bad" stuff and "european-american" faces with "good" stuff.

How much those associations, if at all, affect our decisions is unknown.
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I think this is a point many overlook
 
Ray410 said:
The objection to blacks, Mexicans, whatever, is not due to skin color, but to cultural differences.

It's an excellent tool for loons seeking votes to convince their client groups that they are disliked because of their skin color, and then define that as the beloved "Racism" ascribed to whites, but that isn't truthful or helpful to anyone but the particular loon seeking election.

It would be much more helpful to examine the various cultural characteristics that differentiate the races, however the liberals have effectively covered that base by labeling such any such examination as "stereotyping" or "profiling."

The end result is such incredibly stupid statements as "Those who vote against Obama do so because of his black skin color." This is how the liberals keep their various constituent groups angry and voting correctly.
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I dislike lazy, stupid, dishonest people...I couldn't care less what color their skin is.

I don't like Obama because of his policies. funny, I didn't like Jimmy Carter because of his policies either.....but no one called me a racist for not liking Carter :shrug:
 
Ray410 said:
You're comparing apples and oranges, sport. The comparison should be skank ass black chicks vs skank ass white chicks or, alternatively, hot white chicks vs hot black chicks.

Just pointing out an inconsistency, nobody really cares about your preferences.
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and these types of BS "studies" also compare apples and oranges. that was the point of my sarcastic comment. sorry you didn't "get it".

I don't prefer skanks of any skin color. and a hot chick is a hot chick no matter her skin color. when I was in HS, I was an equal opportunity player. black, white, asian, hispanic.... as long as she was human and reasonably cute I was on it
 
Goshin said:
Bud,
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That's the second response in a row you've started this way. And I interpret it as "I'm going to get defensive about this topic, because for some reason I identify with those (theoretical) people you are accusing of subconscious racism." Is there another way I should interpret "bud" instead?

there's always going to be people who are "prejudiced" against others for various reasons... some of those reasons may be rational ("I don't like Amy because she's a bitch") or irrational ("I don't like Joe because he's Mexican").
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This is probably true. That doesn't mean that we should simply ignore irrational prejudice and allow it to fester unchecked.

People can be prejudiced against blacks, jews, hispanics, gays, straights, asians, conservatives, liberals, midwesterners, southerners, jersey-ites, christians, muslims, gingers, fat people... you name it.

The point is that real, impactful INSTITUTIONALIZED racism is pretty much dead,
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If you mean laws that explicitly discriminate against people on the basis of their race, I agree. Although there are still plenty of ways that racism is de facto institutionalized...the way we assign students to schools, the attitude of the criminal justice system towards minorities, etc.

and expressing any slightest negativism towards any race is now the new definition of "evil" in modern society.
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Like I said, I don't consider it "evil." I don't really even consider it a character flaw, unless the person is aware that they're doing it and makes no effort to change. It's just a human fallibility that people should make more of an effort to be aware of, so that they can correct it when they catch themselves doing it.

MLK pretty much won.

What's left is a few coffee dregs in the bottom of the cup, and the race-baiters are overhyping it to death for political and financial gain when it isn't a drop in the bucket compared to 1955. That's why the hysteria over this so-called "subconscious racism" crap is a big belly-laugh to me... mountains, mole hills. :roll:
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Again, that's very easy to say when you aren't the one who has to deal with it. But I don't think there are very many minorities who would agree that "subconscious racism" is nothing but crap that is being overhyped. Most of the time it's underhyped, because the victims of this form of racism rarely even bring it up because they know that people generally get defensive about it.
 
the_recruit said:
what it shows is a mental association. your brain, and mine, are apparently wired such that we tend to associate "african-american" faces with "bad" stuff and "european-american" faces with "good" stuff.

How much those associations, if at all, affect our decisions is unknown.
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what is odd about that is that it is not just white people who have that mental association. why is it that almost every other group on the planet has members that are prejudiced against african americans? hell....there are even african africans who are prejudiced against african americans and they are the ones who sold them into slavery in the first place.
 
OscarB63 said:
and these types of BS "studies" also compare apples and oranges. that was the point of my sarcastic comment. sorry you didn't "get it".

I don't prefer skanks of any skin color. and a hot chick is a hot chick no matter her skin color. when I was in HS, I was an equal opportunity player. black, white, asian, hispanic.... as long as she was human and reasonably cute I was on it
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Took it down, no offense intended.
 
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