subject: Does Anyone Really Understand the Meaning of the Word Racist? [print this page] Does Anyone Really Understand the Meaning of the Word Racist?
I have written a great deal on the subject of English grammar and the proper use of the English language. I have railed against the mis-use and abuse of adverbs and meaningless politically-correct-speak. I have criticized the incorrect use of words that have now lost their true meaning due to improper usage.
Which brings me to my subject today. Never have I heard a word more improperly used by the media and by so called intellectual pundits than that of the words racist,' and racism.' In today's usage, it has come to mean anyone who criticizes someone who happens to belong to a different race. That person is then called a racist. The person making the charge of racism almost never belongs to the race supposedly being criticized, but rather is almost always a white pseudo-intellectual pundit.
Here is the actual definition of the word "racism": "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 the fostering of such a doctrine; discrimination. 3) hatred or intolerance of another race or other races."*
Everyone is subject to criticism. That does not exclude people of any race. To exclude a person of any particular race from the same criticism one would give to a person of any other race would, in fact, be racist.
What happens when a word is constantly misused and abused? Let's take a look at another word: Awesome. If a brand new, shiny red car, a really beautiful woman, an A' on a term paper, a popular rock band, or a great new video game are all awesome', then what are we supposed to say when we see the Grand Canyon for the first time, or the view of Mt. Hood, hovering over the city of Portland, Oregon, or the view one would see from the top of Mt. Everest.
How about the word gay. If gay means homosexual, or more recently, stupid (as in that is such a gay program,' or that is a really gay song,' having nothing to do with homosexuality), then what are we supposed to call a really happy and innocent child. It is a word that we can no longer apply to happy, innocent children because no one would understand what we were talking about. "Your child is Gay? How do you know?"
The same holds true for racist and racism. If we continue to apply the word everytime someone disagrees with someone who is from a different race, what will we say when we see real racism. I don't care what race you belong to, if I disagree with you, or feel youare not doing your job, I am going to say so, the same way I would expect someone of a different race who disagrees with me, or feels I am not doing my job, to say so. I may not like it, but I am not going to call him a racist.
To assume that a person of a different race is entitled to be treated with kid gloves is, in itself, a racist idea. I am sick of hearing the word being used incorrectly by politicians and the media, as well as by members of liberal special interest groups as a weapon against their political opponents. It is just another example of how ignorant the supposed intellectual elite really are.
When a white supremacist says he wants to kill or destroy all non-whites, he is a racist.
When a black leader says that Jews are their enemy, he is a racist.
When an Hispanic man blames white America for the problems of his people, he is a racist.
When a Muslim says that all Christians should be annihilated, he is a racist.
Do you see the difference? These are not valid criticisms of one person against another person of a certain race. These are false claims or threats, made by one person against an entire race. When a child is taught to believe that all people of certain races are lazy, stupid, or dangerous, he is a product of racism, and will inevitably become a racist. If a child is taught that all persons of a different race are superior to them in certain fields or sports, he is a product of racism, and therefore a racist. If that same child is taught to believe that all members of certain races are victims in need of our help to survive, he is still a product of racism, and therefore a racist.
The very people who call a racist, anyone who suggests that people of another race need jobs rather than government assistance to make it in this country, are themselves racists. The implication they are making is that the people of that race are not capable of working and making it on their own.
A person who votes against social programs, but hires minorities is not a racist. A person who votes for social programs that actually hinder minorities from getting work is a racist. A politician who uses social programs designed to help' minorities for the purpose of getting votes, is a racist.
Let us stop bandying about words of which we have no understanding. Read your dictionary. Learn what it is you are saying before you say it. Stop falling into the rhetoric-trap' you've been led into by the pseudo-itellectual pundits and broadcasters whomisuse ourwords and distorttheir meaning beyond all recognition. Above all, understand that it is racist to assume that an entire race is either capable or incapable of doing their work without some criticism.
"All black people make great basketball players."
"All Japanese people are experts in the field of electronics."
"All Indians make great doctors,"
"All Native Americans are drunks and gamblers."
"All Jews are rich bankers."
"All Caucasions are racists."
"All Muslims are terrorists."
"All women should be married and have children."
"All women believe in the right to have an abortion."
"All minorities require state and federal aid to survive."
"All minorities need affirmative action to get into college."
"All Christians are right-wing radicals."
All of these statements are racist. Now take every sentence above and insert some instead of all and those statements are no longer racist.
Have I made my point yet? Do I need to go on?
Let us stop using racism as an excuse to trample freedom of speech. We have the right to criticize our leaders. We certainly saw plenty of that between 2004-2008. Imagine if Danny de Vito did his ape imitation of President Bush against the current administration. I don't think people would find him nearly as funny. Forget the fact that it was not valid criticism to begin with and showed a complete lack of respect for the office of the Presidency, nowhis actionswould rightfully be called racist.
It doesn't matter what race, what gender, or what religion our politicians belong to. It is our duty to offer valid criticism when we think our country is being led in the wrong direction. Let us not use the fact that our President happens to be black to silence criticism by calling all of his detractors racist. The same so-called 'racists' who are criticizing him in all probability also voted for him.
Enough is Enough. Learn your language people. Take the time to look it up if you don't know what it means. Do not let the media defineourwordsfor us.
*The Random House Dictionary of the English Language, second edition unabridged. 1987.
