We were, we are and we will always be a racist country with less bigotry in our future.

[MyUncle]

I am a racist.

I am a minority. I believe that races, nationalities, religions and many more factors shape who you are. You have many things in common with the group you are in and many differences with the groups of people you are not in.

I am not a bigot.

I do not distrust, dislike, hate, avoid or discriminate against people who are different than me. I do have a prejudiced dislike of just about any religion that has "Fundamentalist" included in the description.

I wish the word "racist" was not associated with hate. I want a word to that acknowledges our differences, because they are real. "Bigot" works for those who hate based on race. I want a word for those who respect diversity, but believe diverse groups are literally that - diverse and different.

I'm hopeful. I think the outrage of any incident of racial injustice getting the attention that we are seeing is positive and will lead to less atrocities.

If you think things are worse now than they used to be in this country, you could not be more wrong. Things are getting better and they will continue to do so as long as we keep on being outraged, keep on protesting, keep on bringing to shame and justice those bigots who hate, hurt and kill.

I'm very proud of our President's words, he condemned the violence, supported the outrage and outlined a path to improvement, who could ask for more?

[bravenak]

1. You are a racist?

That's nice. Groups are diverse and different. I do not think the word racist means what you are trying to make it mean

[MyUncle]

2. I am a racist, I just wish the definition did not mean I'm a bigot, I'm not.

I wish for a word for that describes me, I don't have one that is commonly used.

[bravenak]

3. You have a belief that your race is superior to others?

And you support the ststem of White supremacy? That is what a racist is. If you are one, you are in an improper location for those views. I can suggest a few racist sites if you are interested in actual racists. I think you will find that you are not really as much of a racist as you think you are.

[MyUncle]

4. Your answer is exactly what I'm trying to define.

I'm over 55, racist did not used to mean a hater. That was bigots. Racist has replaced that word to be something that means you hate people because of race, gender, religion, etc.

I've been around long enough to know that white people from the North Shore of Oahu are different than black people from Brooklyn. It's a combination of race, geography, economics, culture, heck even weather.

I don't hate, so I'm not interested in places or people that do. I just wish there was a word /way for us to all get along, while acknowledging our differences.

You thinking I'm a hater because I said I believed races (and other things) are different (a racist) is the perfect example of why I don't like that word.

[bravenak]

5. The word racist doesn't mean that and never did.

It always mean race based hatred. Bigotry can include that but there are other elements to it. You seem to believe in eugenics.
People still believe the tripe about different races being less or more intelligent than others. That is eugenics which is a fake science that has been debunked. Take me for instance. I have hever been to a school where I was not in the top 1 percent academically and as far as my Intelligence Quotient is concerned. Eugenics tell us that is impossible. I am black. I am somehow different. If that is true, does that make me somehow just naturally better than 99 percent of white people? I went to white schools and competed against them from the same books with the same access to materials. We are different because we are seen as different and expected to be different. Obstackes are thrown in our way to keep us on a lower rung, that help to prove the difference that doesn't actually exist. We are all homo sapiens sapiens. We are all cousins. Our cultures and socialization makes us different, not our skin color or what race we consider ourselves.

[MyUncle]

6. I agree with you, I really do.

You are right, trying to redefine "racist" is naive on my part.

You might not believe me, but when I was growing up, racist and bigot were really different descriptions. It's changed, I am not going to go there again (saying I'm "racist).

So what word would you use to describe someone who believes people are different but neither superior or inferior, just plain different. Those differences are even more evident in those who have spent most of their life within a community where they were surrounded by white, black, Oriental, European, Hispanic, Hawaiian, poor, rich people?

[bravenak]

7. Human.

It is a humanist worldview. Respect and love of diversity does not really need a particular title. I am a humanist. I feel like each piece is a part of a whole, we need each other and diversity. It's actually kinda the opposite of a racist, actually. I still do not think you are a racist and I think you should stop seeing yourself that way.

[MyUncle]

8. Thank you "Humanist" is it. I like it, it fits.

It's the best I've heard so far.

[bravenak]

9. You're welcome!

[1StrongBlackMan]

14. I stayed out of that discussion ...

I want my cookie ... right, F'ing now!

[bravenak]

15. I'm being nice.

I found it strange.

[1StrongBlackMan]

17. Too cute, by half. n/t

[bvf]

10. Great post.

"I am a minority. I believe that races, nationalities, religions and many more factors shape who you are. You have many things in common with the group you are in and many differences with the groups of people you are not in."

I wasn't sure if this was supposed to be an explanation for your previous "I am a racist," but you're no racist simply because you recognize cultural differences. Quite the opposite, IMhO.

[AverageJoe90]

11. I'm sorry, but.....this post.....comes across as a little nutty, I'm sad to say.

So much contradiction in one post, it totally boggles the mind.....no offense.

I do not distrust, dislike, hate, avoid or discriminate against people who are different than me.

And here's the thing: would such prejudices this applied to an entire group, or groups, collectively? If the answer to all of those is no.....then one would not be a racist. Pure and simple.....

On the other hand, maybe you're legitimately trying to make a positive point. And if so, I genuinely feel bad for you, because you did an absolutely terrible job at framing said argument. Bravenak happens to be right here: it's no use trying to redefine a word that already has a rock-solid definition, accepted by nearly every authority in the world----some people here could really use a lesson or two in that regard----even if it's to try to make a philosophical point.

[1StrongBlackMan]

16. I know I'm on your ignore list; but ...

it's no use trying to redefine a word that already has a rock-solid definition, accepted by nearly every authority in the world----some people here could really use a lesson or two in that regard----even if it's to try to make a philosophical point.

And others (you) really should acknowledge that the definition has evolved beyond the definition you choose to use.

[JayhawkSD]

12. And "gay" used to mean carefree or happy.

It means something different now; although someone who is gay may also be carefree and happy, that is not what you are referring to when you say that they are gay. English is a dynamic language, and a word does not hold the meaning you like merely because you want it to. Words change due to "common usage."

"I will be with you momentarily" used to mean you would see me only for a minute and I would be gone again. It now means I will join you a minute and I may stay with you longer than you want me to.

[MyUncle]

13. I agree JayhawkSD and AverageJoe90

I'm letting go of any neutral associations with the word racist. It's done, I've been corrected. I believe you understood my sentiment, at least I hope you do.

Happy and safe Thanksgiving.