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- Dec 4, 2017
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Racist
The History and Dictionary Meaning of racism
Racism appears to be a word of recent origin, with no citations currently known that would suggest the word was in use prior to the early 20th century. But the fact that the word is fairly new does not prove that the concept of racism did not exist in the distant past. Things may have words to describe them before they exist (spaceship, for instance, has been in use since the 19th century, well before the rocket-fired vessels were invented), and things may exist for a considerable time before they are given names (t-shirt does not appear in print until the 20th century, although the article of clothing existed prior to 1900).
Dictionaries are often treated as the final arbiter in arguments over a word’s meaning, but they are not always well suited for settling disputes. The lexicographer’s role is to explain how words are (or have been) actually used, not how some may feel that they should be used, and they say nothing about the intrinsic nature of the thing named by a word, much less the significance it may have for individuals. When discussing concepts like racism, therefore, it is prudent to recognize that quoting from a dictionary is unlikely to either mollify or persuade the person with whom one is arguing.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racism
Now with the above notation, we come to the point of individual interpretation of what is Racist. In recent time, Liberal factions have referred to just about everything having anything to do with people of color as Racist. To me a racist comment or action is based on a personal belief in a FICTION, resulting in the deliberate intention to deprive an individual or group of people (race) from being able to proceed in life with the SAME opportunities and with the same privileges as any other person or group. The key word is Fiction. Stating a fact about a person or group (race) is not racist, it is simply a fact. Example: There are more blacks in Africa than whites is not racist, just fact. By percentage, there are more blacks and Hispanics living in poverty than whites is not racist, if it can be proven as fact. Many uncomfortable topics are not Racist but stated facts. Where a fact becomes Racist is when the author / speaker uses derogatory terms while stating the facts. Example: The assailant severely injured the little old lady because she was white. The POS was later arrested. What changed this from a crime report to a racist news article was the author's choice to let his bias be reflected by the use of POS. Did the crime happen, yes (fact). Is the author bias, yes. If a member referenced this article on the forum, does that make the member RACIST, NO. The member did not write the article. The member did not make up (falsify) the story. The member simply read the article and shared it on the forum. Now if the member decides to add their own 2-Cents (becomes an author) then any bias or Racist is on them.
Now the magic question. Why am I posting this? It is my attempt to caution members to be selective in what articles they post. No I am not trying to censor any posts. I read 6 to 8 news sites daily. Several are conservative, several are liberal, and a couple are middle of the road and a couple are ultra conservative or ultra liberal. With each of these sites I have to be selective in who wrote the article, how they wrote the article and is it factual. Sometimes, when I read an article in the either the ultra liberal site or the ultra conservative news site, I have to track down the original story. Many times the original story is less bias and less derogatory in its reporting. Same facts but acceptable verbiage.
One of the most precious aspect of this forum, is our freedom to discuss any and all topics. Debate is healthy and desirable. Respect for all is mandatory. Some topics are unpleasant to discuss but refusing to discuss never leads to a resolution.
Just my 2-cents. Feel free to comment and add your 2-cents.
The History and Dictionary Meaning of racism
Racism appears to be a word of recent origin, with no citations currently known that would suggest the word was in use prior to the early 20th century. But the fact that the word is fairly new does not prove that the concept of racism did not exist in the distant past. Things may have words to describe them before they exist (spaceship, for instance, has been in use since the 19th century, well before the rocket-fired vessels were invented), and things may exist for a considerable time before they are given names (t-shirt does not appear in print until the 20th century, although the article of clothing existed prior to 1900).
Dictionaries are often treated as the final arbiter in arguments over a word’s meaning, but they are not always well suited for settling disputes. The lexicographer’s role is to explain how words are (or have been) actually used, not how some may feel that they should be used, and they say nothing about the intrinsic nature of the thing named by a word, much less the significance it may have for individuals. When discussing concepts like racism, therefore, it is prudent to recognize that quoting from a dictionary is unlikely to either mollify or persuade the person with whom one is arguing.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racism
Now with the above notation, we come to the point of individual interpretation of what is Racist. In recent time, Liberal factions have referred to just about everything having anything to do with people of color as Racist. To me a racist comment or action is based on a personal belief in a FICTION, resulting in the deliberate intention to deprive an individual or group of people (race) from being able to proceed in life with the SAME opportunities and with the same privileges as any other person or group. The key word is Fiction. Stating a fact about a person or group (race) is not racist, it is simply a fact. Example: There are more blacks in Africa than whites is not racist, just fact. By percentage, there are more blacks and Hispanics living in poverty than whites is not racist, if it can be proven as fact. Many uncomfortable topics are not Racist but stated facts. Where a fact becomes Racist is when the author / speaker uses derogatory terms while stating the facts. Example: The assailant severely injured the little old lady because she was white. The POS was later arrested. What changed this from a crime report to a racist news article was the author's choice to let his bias be reflected by the use of POS. Did the crime happen, yes (fact). Is the author bias, yes. If a member referenced this article on the forum, does that make the member RACIST, NO. The member did not write the article. The member did not make up (falsify) the story. The member simply read the article and shared it on the forum. Now if the member decides to add their own 2-Cents (becomes an author) then any bias or Racist is on them.
Now the magic question. Why am I posting this? It is my attempt to caution members to be selective in what articles they post. No I am not trying to censor any posts. I read 6 to 8 news sites daily. Several are conservative, several are liberal, and a couple are middle of the road and a couple are ultra conservative or ultra liberal. With each of these sites I have to be selective in who wrote the article, how they wrote the article and is it factual. Sometimes, when I read an article in the either the ultra liberal site or the ultra conservative news site, I have to track down the original story. Many times the original story is less bias and less derogatory in its reporting. Same facts but acceptable verbiage.
One of the most precious aspect of this forum, is our freedom to discuss any and all topics. Debate is healthy and desirable. Respect for all is mandatory. Some topics are unpleasant to discuss but refusing to discuss never leads to a resolution.
Just my 2-cents. Feel free to comment and add your 2-cents.
