It is my belief that EVERYONE has some type of prejudice within them. After all, isn’t prejudice pre-judging someone or something based off of what you “THINK” you know, stereotypes and ignorance? Isn’t it having a preconceived opinion based on factual and non-factual events? Prejudice also plays a major part in being a racist, but I believe that you can have prejudice and not be racist. To me, a racist is one who believes in the system of hatred, oppression and superiority based on someone’s race. A racist usually believes that everyone, other than their race, is inferior. I had a conversation the other day with a young lady who is tried of meeting men that aren’t “any good.” She stated that she tried dating a white man because she believed that she was racist because she noticed that he didn’t season his food “correctly” or enough with salt and pepper. So she thought to herself that a Black person would have hooked that meal up. So she didn’t want to date him for that purpose. I thought that she had a prejudice against him based on the stereo type that white people do not season their food. She feels she was racist even though she was attempting to date this man who happens to be white. She wanted a relationship initially with him, but couldn’t do it. I personally thought that was very silly. Anyway, what do you think? Do you think she was being racist, prejudice, or just showing a sign of immaturity and ignorance on her part? Is there a difference between being prejudice or racist?
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There is a big difference between the two notions as the first is often unconscious or grown that way, where racist does have some conscious knowing/acknowledging. If somebody would be completely raised in a racist way it would even be a prejudice, only racist because it concerns an ethnicity. Fact remains: for both terms it is necessary to practice some self-criticism and if you notice one of both, exercise some exorcisme!
prejudice:bias: a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
Racist: discriminatory especially on the basis of race or religion
Totally this was a case of immature prejudice lol. This gurl either needs to get out more or date around and see that everybody is truely the same just a diff color. White black yellow purple, green it doesnt matter. we all use salt n pepper! (laughs)
i have plenty of friends that dont even like to season thier food because its a cholesterol thing but in all actuality it is what it is.
IF she was racist the situation would be more like shes dating him because he makes her feel white and white men is the only race she’d date even though shes black and doesnt associate herself with black people and sneers when they walk by, thats racist.
but
clearly… she said she stopped dating him because he doesnt season his food. thats plain ol’ prejudice. and salt or no salt honey chile needs to grow up. cuz theres alot more worse things to worry about like hows home boys mental state, or if hes rakin in doe and saving it… lolol (giggles) someone needs to explain to her the definition of both words and their slight similarities…..
If she had any indifferences with him for not seasoning the food because he’s white — Then yes this is a racist stereotypical remark. I know some white folks who can literally get down. If she simply like seasoned food and he can’t foot the bill, whether black or white, and she felt the same way either way, then she is prejudice toward people who can’t cook!
I would not say she was being racist. She did go on a date with a white male. If she was a racist she would never considered giving him a try. I would say she has hang ups and biases, and silly issue. The definition of prejudice is “an irrational suspicion or hatred to a particular group, race, or religion”. In my opinion she is not prejudice either. She notices he did not season his food to her liking. In her experience brothers would have. She was stereotyping the man not being prejudice. She did not want to date him because he did not season his food is the bottom line. Just like some men are attracted to long hair, authentic hair, and short hair. LOL, I think she is just being neurotic. There are some people who will find the littlest thing annoying or irritating. If he was black or another race and that bothered her, she would not think she was being racist or prejudice. I do not think we all have prejudices. I think we all have stereotypes and biases.
We all have some form of prejudice even within our own race as well as towards others in general. Racism is an illness that’s rooted in a person’s false sense of superiority over another race. The racist has an unfounded sense of entitlement just because he/she feels his/her race is above others. That’s my small take on the issue at hand.
-Bruce George, Co-Founder of Def Poetry Jam,
Founder of “The Bandana Republic, a Literary Anthology by Gang Memebers…” In Bookstores June 2008
Let’s start here:
1) Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) – Cite This Source – Share This
rac·ism Audio Help /ˈreɪsɪzəm/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[rey-siz-uhm] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
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.
[Origin: 1865–70; < F racisme. See race2, -ism]
2) Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) – Cite This Source – Share This
prej·u·dice Audio Help /ˈprɛdʒədɪs/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[prej-uh-dis] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation noun, verb, -diced, -dic·ing.
–noun
1. an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.
2. any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable.
3. unreasonable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, esp. of a hostile nature, regarding a racial, religious, or national group.
4. such attitudes considered collectively: The war against prejudice is never-ending.
5. damage or injury; detriment: a law that operated to the prejudice of the majority.
–verb (used with object)
6. to affect with a prejudice, either favorable or unfavorable: His honesty and sincerity prejudiced us in his favor.
—Idiom
7. without prejudice, Law. without dismissing, damaging, or otherwise affecting a legal interest or demand.
[Origin: 1250–1300; ME < OF < L praejūdicium prejudgment, orig. preliminary or previous judicial inquiry, equiv. to prae- pre- + jūdicium legal proceedings, judging (jūdic-, s. of jūdex judge + -ium -ium)]
—Related forms
prej·u·diced·ly, adverb
prej·u·dice·less, adjective
—Synonyms 2. preconception, partiality, predilection, predisposition. See bias. 6. bias, influence.
My Thoughts.
In order to be a racist you have to prejudge someone. So these 2 words are really inseparable. Instead let me take a curve regarding these words/concepts.
A friend of mine told me this recently.
He said: Max. Black people cannot be racist. In order to be racist you have to have power. White people hold all the economic, political and military power. They can stop us from being in the best schools. Getting the best jobs. Making certain places or things as racially exclusive as a tanning salon.
I’m not sure how I feel about what he said. But I do know he’s had me thinking about it ever since. From George W. to George W. there’s been one common denominator Rich white men who hold all the nations power. It’s been that way because of enforced exclusivity. These people have historically pre judged everyone one else as less than capable. And THAT is racism.
First i would like to address the issue of prejudice. I agree with you Floyd that everyone has it. However having prejudice is a life tool. It allows you to determine what’s right from what’s wrong. If a person chooses not to hang with a particular group of people because they smoke weed and drink. Doesn’t that make the person prejudice to the group? I think that prejudice can be mature as well as immature depending on the situation.
i think the woman that you mention was showing a lack of understanding and acceptance of “what is”. The situation was new to her and she needed time to adjust and understand the differences. i’m sure it was new to him as well. They just needed communication and compromise to the change.