RETHINKING RACISM

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   Pamela Waiolenaposted 14 years ago

   For far too long we have believed in the dictionary definition of "racism", which has formed the basis of debates, attitudes and laws as well as the thinking and relating patterns which are used throughout all of the societies of our small planet. In its very definition, according to Webster's dictionary, racism is a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular group thus producing racial prejudice or discrimination.  In addition, a racist is defined as one who subscribes to this definition as truth and therefore practices the defined belief.
   
   I hold that it is time to eliminate this word from our dictionaries, attitudes, laws, debates, from our very minds as it is fallacious and has caused countless years of pain, suffering and sorrow to the entire Human Race.  For you see, there is, has been and forever will be only ONE RACE on this planet and that is the HUMAN RACE!  Unfortunately, our HUMAN RACE has been divided by those who wish to cause domination of one group over another and this has been played out in civilization after civilization.  Even that word, civilization defies its own meaning when we truly look at what we have termed "racism".  How can a group of people consider themselves civilized (developed out of a primitive state) when they purposefully divide themselves OR EVEN WORSE, allow themselves to be divided by others according to skin color, hair and eye color, shape of noses, body parts, and all other manner of PRIMITIVE THINKING AND JUDGMENT?
   
   Let us look at how this foolish idea has been spread. From my childhood days I can easily recall the images given to my ethnic group through the media, the job pool, the images on store products  causing attitudes that achieved the general mind-set that one color of skin was far superior and preferential  to another.  This general mind-set spread from one generation to the next and continues still today throughout the media in all of its forms.
   
   Which one of you in America has not seen an "Uncle Ben's" rice or an "Aunt Jemima's Pancake Mix" and an "Aunt Jemima's" Pancake Syrup? Even today those products carry the same old image from the 1940's and 50's.  A dark skinned man with a balding head and a dark-skinned woman with a bandana tied around her head. These images are certainly not the stature of products such as those with pictures of their makers like Colonel Sanders and Paul Newman's Own. Some might call this gentle persuasion and 'soft' advertising. I call it blatant and intentional division of ethnic groups through the stilted use of imagery.
   
   Even today in 2009, the media still persists in carrying the image of one ethnic group as superior to another by simply continuing to hire and promote beauty as existing mostly in one ethnic group. This has changed to some degree, but still lacking is an equal representation in the media advertisements of the peoples of Asia, Latin and South America, India, Pakistan, Africa and all other ethnic groups not of the European or Caucasian persuasion.
   
   Go into any large department store and look at any images that might be displayed.  What ethnic group is most represented? The same is true for magazines, movies, newspapers, ad infinitum. Our American culture is no longer dominated by one ethnic group. Even in the mid-west where I grew up in a basically two ethnic group society, this situation no longer exists. Throughout our country one sees the beauty of the various ethnic groups from all over our planet.  Our outer picture has changed.  Now it is time to change the inner mind-set to reflect the outer reality.
   
   When we look at the world in general we can easily see that the one ethnic group that claims dominance is in fact the only minority that exists. Perhaps this is why the attitude has been taken and maintained. Might we say that this has been a long standing defense mechanism because of the true lack of sheer numbers on the planet when all ethnic groups are accounted for in total? It definitely is a thought provoking idea.
   
   Since our laws are made to reflect our society it is a long overdue idea that we should take such words as "race", "racism", "racist" and all other such terms out of our language. REMOVE THEM.  Let's speak the truth. What is practiced on our planet is ETHNIC EXCLUSIVITY in many ways and forms. It is NOT racism because, as aforementioned, there is ONLY ONE RACE on our planet, the HUMAN RACE.
   
   As we consider eliminating these ill-conceived words and thoughts that have produced mind-sets, let us remember to stop using those words and possessing those attitudes each of us in our own lives.
   
   It really is time to "grow up" on this planet and accept who we truly are, ONE RACE, THE HUMAN RACE, living on ONE planet under ONE sun and ONE moon. When we adopt this new mind-set we can move on to include all of our 'relatives'.

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      LondonGirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Not any definition I've come across in the UK. Racism here is treating someone less favourably on the grounds of race. It has nothing to do with a belief in the importance of race in catagorising superiority, or a believe that race is the most important thing.

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   AsherKadeposted 14 years ago

   I've done many hubs ont his tired ole' subject. Racism should be passe' and a by gone subject....

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      Lady_Eposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I agree Asher. It bores me...
      
      On a positive note, welcome to Hubpages, Pamela.

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   KCC Big Countryposted 14 years ago

   Pamela, I think you have misunderstood how to post your hubs for the challenge.  This is the second time you've posted a long post here in the forums.  This information should be typed into a hub.  The forum is where we chat basically.

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   Lockenbarposted 14 years ago

   Racism will be eliminated when people stop noticing race.  Therefore Ms. Waiolena, stop being consumed by it and quit assuming (for example)that Aunt Jemima or Uncle Ben are anything other than what they are; marketing symbols that are very effective in selling pancake mix and instant rice.

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      tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      So, never?

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   Davinagirl3posted 14 years ago

   I think your post was intellegently written and valid.  It would make a better hub, than a forum post, but you have a good point.  I am a white female who suffers through the media's idea of beauty.  It is not realistic regardless of race.  Our placing too much validity on the media's ideas is a huge problem in the world, and especially the US.  I do not believe that the definition of racism is the problem.  There was a problem before the definition was written.  We learn "different and same" on Sesame Street.  From a young age we learn that there are people that look like us, and people who look different than us.  The root of the problem is insecurity, and lack of education.  Ignorance is a good word for it.  We are split more along lines of culture than race, nowadays.  If people learned to respect one anothers' cultures, we wouldn't have the problems we have today.  A child should learn that just because another person does not look like them, they are a person with similar needs and wants.  Destroy the ignorance, and you are one step closer to destroying the problem.  And, this is true for all cultures.

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   Ron Montgomeryposted 14 years ago

   Pamela, you might enjoy this op-ed about Obama and racism.
   
   http://www.indystar.com/article/2009071 … d++lightly

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   tomdhumposted 14 years ago

   anyone that thinks we live in a color blnd society or that a color blind societ can be created is a fool.  we are created with the intention of being created equal. howeve reality is that we are not all equal.  i wrote a hub on racism check it out

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   kmackey32posted 14 years ago

   oh that was too long for me to read..

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   jiberishposted 14 years ago

   I'm sorry did I accidently step into someone's Hub?

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    pgrundyposted 14 years ago

    As soon as you prohibit something, it gets way more popular. 150 years ago we still had slavery in the U.S., so it's better now than it was then, but just eliminating the word won't make racism go away. If we quit using the word 'rabbit' would rabbits go away?
    
    I wish they would. They ate my green beans and cucumbers down to nothing. All we have left in the garden is tomatoes, peppers, and pumpkins. (Those words must still be in the dictionary.)
    
    

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    Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

    Actually, Aunt Jemima has been updated.

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    wannabwesternposted 14 years ago

    I agree this would be better suited to a hub, but HP is a good place to have a conversation about this topic, because so many different people from different backgrounds and life circumstances write here.
    
    So here here for that reason. Good luck on your quest to make a better world. Starting a dialogue is the first step.

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    wannabwesternposted 14 years ago

    Aw shucks, she's gone!

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    tksenseiposted 14 years ago

    Doesn't seem to be much about this to discuss.

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