This is a long way of saying that racism is simply hatred rooted in someone’s racial characteristics or membership and sexism is just hatred rooted in someone’s gender and/or gender identity. Not all hatred is racism or sexism. Hatred has a million faces and none of them are pretty. The State Senator, I wrote, was right to feel as if he were being publicly belittled - but it was not because of race, it was because he was a prickly and unpleasant person. Even so, hatred of prickly and unpleasant people is no prettier than hatred of blacks or Asians or women or transgendered persons.

A friend of mine who grew up in Arkansas in the 1950s says that he is a racist by default. He learned to be racist early in his life and anyone who lived where he did at the time he did who says differently is lying. He has since learned how wrong his early teachings were, but from time to time a racist thought will rear its ugly head. At least he’s honest enough to admit it.

I have the same problem with gay people. I was taught from an early age that they were icky and unclean and should be ridiculed and, if necessary, beaten into normalcy. I have learned how wrong that is and am apalled that a child was ever taught such things. But when I see Burt Lancaster running, I still think “He runs like a f**!” (thanks to my wife for pointing that out). I still find myself reaching for half a dozen references to homosexuality as something being abnormal (queer as a three dollar bill) or somehow less manly than otherwise (that guy’s weak as a queer). I hate it, but I don’t think I’ll ever be rid of it. I simply have to realize that some hurtful things lie deep down. I have to remember to be careful about how I talk about such things because of this. I don’t like it, but it’s the truth.

All of this is to say that many of the references I learned as a child were also inappropriate racial references. Brer Bear and Brer Rabbit? The Tarbaby? Probably 90% of the cartoons I saw as a child refered to “Injuns” and such. It was actually not long ago before I realized that “call a spade a spade” was racial as is “Sambo” (one of my most favorite kid stories). So people can toss out legitimate racist and sexist statements without even realizing they are doing so. Their intent doesn’t matter, nor does the manner in which they are accepted. The reference exists independent of the objective reality of either the sender or receiver.

That sucks for some of us because I would never knowingly denigrate someone for their race or gender. But my language has done it without my input, so to speak. If I can be permitted a particularly rude observation, the word “nigger” was once accepted as the norm - neither person involved in the use of the word took offense at it. But it didn’t change the fact that it held the full weight of hundreds of years of racial preferences and hatred. The word itself is racist.

However - and this is where the writer and academic in me dig in and fight it out with everyone around me - language lives and evolves. Even the word “nigger” is slowly being drained of its racist content. I can walk down Central Avenue and hear Puerto Ricans using that word to refer to Asians and Asians using it as a reference of friendship with whites. For someone of my generation, it will never be a word of liberation, but I’ve had some of my female students refer to their girlfriends as “my b**ch”. I don’t understand how this happens, but someone the meaning of the language is changing.

Of course, this is not how anything was used in reference to either Mr. Obama or Mrs. Clinton. So I guess this was a long aside that led in a circle.

Much like your visit to the drs and the nurse being appalled about you not doing anyting about your blemishes. Her intent could be interpreted by another was that you keep your beautiful face that way, not to be vain. Maybe she figured if you can take the time for a check up while dealing with the 2 littlest ones then whats another appointment to the dematologist.

Being told that you are on the mommy track now that you are pregnant (male boss to female employee) is that sexist, or a man just not thinking? And is that statement (man just not thinking) sexist? Not knowing me or the situation, and just reading it at face value - I would accept cries of sexism.

Racism is defined as such (dictionary.com)1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

Using that as the gold bar standard - are we all not a little racist? Have we all not told a Polack joke or a blonde joke or some kind of “blue” joke? Can that be considered racist? What is important are the steps we take to raise above or overcome.

Media is media. They are doing what will give them the best numbers. Sexism and Racism have become the new buzz words. Media will always pander to the lowest common denomonator, in my humble opinion.

I guess my whole point is that what I will teach my children will always supercede what they see on tv or read in the newspapers. When they get to be of driving age (many moons from now) they will be told to act as if they are always being watched, not for the color of their skin but simply because they will have me to answer to if they do something wrong, and that can be a fate worse then any kind of harrassment by the local police force.

(steps off my soap box and shoves it under ther couch)

Beth

Well, I assume it’s a B. You didn’t actually say.

If it’s a W, your post didn’t make as much sense as I thought…

Racist and sexist are extensions on the continuum of thoughtlessness and rudeness. Sometimes they are vicious and intended, sometimes they are revelations of a feeling we did not even know we had, sometimes they are an honest human misstatement and sometimes they are just plain evil.

Still and all, it is exceedingly painful to have to teach my son that when he starts to drive and go places alone as a young man, he must always act as if police officers are assuming the worst about him because of his skin color. Does teaching him that say that I am prejudiced and rude about police officers….yes….and I pray about that daily.

The epithet may have added potency when applied to women, but after conceding that point, I’m foggy about the next link in the chain of reasoning.