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Prejudice and risk aversion

SDET

SDET

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I have been around what most would be considered racists my entire life. I don't judge them, but wondered why. The answer I got was generally some kind of risk. I asked my aunt that owned a segregated diner what would be the result if she started serving black people. Her reply was that they would just sit around and not order much or start trouble. My old man told me that my car would be taken away if I drove to black area. I asked why, he asked me if I wanted to get shot or have the car stolen. My mom always said that foreigners don't respect human life and would just as soon kill you than look at you. I was actually successful at bugging my parents to drive the motor home to Mexico City for the family vacation. We got stopped at a military roadblock and was told our portable TV might have drugs hidden in it. We had to leave it for "inspection". My mom replied to me, "See what I told you?"

It's impossible to know every person which means information must be summarized. Is it inaccurate to reduce risk through prejudice? Is there some other way to summarize information about who is a safety risk and who isn't? Or do you agree with the notion that certain characteristics present a safety risk, but that any casualty is OK because it's punishment for "white privilege"?

As someone who gets bored easy, I had this penchant for taking crazy chances. I tried living in a black neighborhood to save money and it cost me some serious physical injury. I also visited some of the most dangerous slums in Latin America and all that happened is that I met lots of friendly people.
 
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itsforthekids said:
You sound like a loser.
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You seem upset that I associated with blacks and Mexicans. That's OK, some of my relatives were also upset. I won't judge you.
 
SDET said:
I tried living in a black neighborhood to save money and it cost me some serious physical injury.
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There are lower socio-economic white neighborhoods too...
 
SDET said:
I have been around what most would be considered racists my entire life. I don't judge them, but wondered why. The answer I got was generally some kind of risk. I asked my aunt that owned a segregated diner what would be the result if she started serving black people. Her reply was that they would just sit around and not order much or start trouble. My old man told me that my car would be taken away if I drove to black area. I asked why, he asked me if I wanted to get shot or have the car stolen. My mom always said that foreigners don't respect human life and would just as soon kill you than look at you. I was actually successful at bugging my parents to drive the motor home to Mexico City for the family vacation. We got stopped at a military roadblock and was told our portable TV might have drugs hidden in it. We had to leave it for "inspection". My mom replied to me, "See what I told you?"

It's impossible to know every person which means information must be summarized. Is it inaccurate to reduce risk through prejudice? Is there some other way to summarize information about who is a safety risk and who isn't? Or do you agree with the notion that certain characteristics present a safety risk, but that any casualty is OK because it's punishment for "white privilege"?

As someone who gets bored easy, I had this penchant for taking crazy chances. I tried living in a black neighborhood to save money and it cost me some serious physical injury. I also visited some of the most dangerous slums in Latin America and all that happened is that I met lots of friendly people.
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My theory is that for the most part, hatred and racism must be taught. It is passed down from generation to generation. Whether our Judeo-Christian heritage facilitates that I'm not sure.
 
Thoreau72 said:
My theory is that for the most part, hatred and racism must be taught. It is passed down from generation to generation. Whether our Judeo-Christian heritage facilitates that I'm not sure.
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Of course. it's taught. But does it lower the odds of someone getting mugged, shot, stabbed, robbed, etc.?
 
SDET said:
Of course. it's taught. But does it lower the odds of someone getting mugged, shot, stabbed, robbed, etc.?
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I would say it rather increases those odds. It certainly increases ill will amongst countrymen.
 
SDET said:
Is there some other way to summarize information about who is a safety risk and who isn't?
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Knowing where and when danger is likely to strike makes far more sense. Skin color alone does not.

SDET said:
Or do you agree with the notion that certain characteristics present a safety risk,
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Physical Characteristics alone....no, clothing, posture, location, time of day may matter.

SDET said:
but that any casualty is OK because it's punishment for "white privilege"?
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Umm...wut? Having privilege in and of itself does not make you deserving of punishment, it may make you undeserving of reward, but not deserving of punishment.
 
White people can pose as a danger to each other too, you know.
 
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