How do you personally determine if something is "racist" or not?

[Relic]

Inspired by the Naomi Campbell/Cadbury thread.

Regardless of race/creed/color there are situations where we have different opinions on what constitutes a racist statement/action/whatever.
Sometimes it's ridiculously obvious (and I'm not referring to such situations with this thread) and there's little to no disagreement, other times it's way more nebulous and open to various interpretations (this is where I'm aiming with this)..
Naomi Campbell seems to feel that an implication that she is some sort of "chocolate diva" is racially offensive. Many find that ridiculous. Judging by the threads here in OT, many TB'ers also have different definitions/criteria on what is "racist" or not. Sometimes it seems to go along racial lines, other times definitely not.
So - how do you personally determine if something you see, hear or experience is truly based on a racist intent?

[Mark Latimour]

I use The Root and its up and comming, slightly more applicable to me, cousin site: "The difficult to really tell, kinda middle eastern looking mixed race dude journal of faux outrage".

[john grey]

Racism is the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, esp. so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.

It would be laughable if it didn't cause such pain and suffering.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by john grey

Racism is the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, esp. so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.

It would be laughable if it didn't cause such pain and suffering.

I'm not looking for the textbook definition though - that's too easy. I'm looking for what you or anyone else here would view as "racist". Like what makes something "racist" to you personally?

[Mushroo]

I personally don't believe that actions/words/commercials can be "racist." Rather, "racist" is a term to describe the beliefs of human beings.

For example, someone with hate in their heart is "racist" in my opinion, even if their outward actions and words are perfectly polite and acceptable. Likewise it is possible for comedians to say really awful things without being "racist" if it's all meant in good humor.

I believe the correct term to describe actions and words is not "racist" but "offensive." And "offensive" of course is in the context and the eye of the beholder, there is no objective standard of "offensive" in my opinion. So in other words if people are offended by the chocolate diva thing (I haven't seen it personally) then I agree it could be labeled as "offensive." Not knowing the intention of its creators I would hesitate to call it "racist."

[macaroni tony]

To me - and I'll try my best to be concise...

To me someone isn racist if they do or say something, or harbor some kind of negative feelings toward another race, and refuse to change that stance when showed the other side of the coin. IOW, I wouldn't have such negative feelings about someone who shows signs of racism if it's just a case of ignorance or "he doesn't know any better." But if given the chance to know better, and he still wants to have a superiority complex/lazily judge people/live in fear of others who are different/etcetc then I'd consider that person a bona fide racist and avoid him at all costs

[Mark Latimour]

I think a lot of people don't understand the difference between racism, a racist, discriminatory behaviour (which may have an underlying cause rootedi n racism), prejudice, stereotyping etc. They are not all the same thing but often people use the terms interchangably or accuse something as being "racist" when its really just offensive or insensitive or a case of prejudice.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by Mushroo

I personally don't believe that actions/words/commercials can be "racist." Rather, "racist" is a term to describe the beliefs of human beings.

For example, someone with hate in their heart is "racist" in my opinion, even if their outward actions and words are perfectly polite and acceptable. Likewise it is possible for comedians to say really awful things without being "racist" if it's all meant in good humor.

I believe the correct term to describe actions and words is not "racist" but "offensive." And "offensive" of course is in the context and the eye of the beholder, there is no objective standard of "offensive" in my opinion. So in other words if people are offended by the chocolate diva thing (I haven't seen it personally) then I agree it could be labeled as "offensive." Not knowing the intention of its creators I would hesitate to call it "racist."

Good post, and I see your point. Maybe I should have said "racially offensive" in my first post then - that's sorta what I was getting at.

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

I think a lot of people don't understand the difference between racism, a racist, discriminatory behaviour (which may have an underlying cause rootedi n racism), prejudice, stereotyping etc. They are not all the same thing but often people use the terms interchangably or accuse something as being "racist" when its really just offensive or insensitive or a case of prejudice.

Really good point Mark.
Still - whether someone understands the various definitions/differences or not, I'm moreso looking for someone's "personal definitions" on it, whether they are textbook correct or otherwise.

[MJ5150]

For me, it is not what was said/typed/etc but more of who said/typed/etc it.

-Mike

[Phalex]

I have a hard time differentiating between funny and racist sometimes.

I think racist stuff is intended to be mean, rather than funny. The intent of the person that is responsible is where things go awry for me.

[TJ55]

I look at what action is allegedly racist, who performed that action, and finally, who is claiming the action was race related. Using this information I can make a decision or do some further research if I'm not comfortably familiar with the players involved.

[Ursus Tyrannus]

To me its like the "yea its dirty but is it too dirty to wear?" sniff test, ya cant always quantify it but you know it when something stinks.

[Mushroo]

Re-reading my post, maybe an even better term than "offensive" is "controversial."

And of course controversy can be an effective advertising technique...

[L-A]

Perceived intent?

Someone hinting racism at a reasonable action or opinion is in fact the one creating racism.

[Chebass88]

I'd say anything that is purposely done to establish the character / performance / worth either positively or negatively of an individual or group of individuals based on the color of their skin alone.

This includes situations where candidates for schools, scholarships, employment, etc. are singled out because they are "diverse" and hired or matriculated ahead of others in order to help the organization meet its "diversity quotas".

Also, context plays a big key in determining whether something is racist or not. I can guarantee an ad for chocolate was not created with the intention of being racist. They are trying to peddle chocolate. An ad stating "Hey ______________ (insert racial slur of your choice), eat this candy bar!" IS racist. A lack of black professors in the UK isn't racist - unless it can be definitely proven that black professors were turned away in favor of whites. Someone cracking the occasional racial joke - probably not racist, but it depends on the rest of their behavior.

The people with chips on their shoulders have much lower tolerances for interpretation of racism, and often use the events for a few minutes of media attention rather than being actually offended by something that does not involve them.

[macaroni tony]

Originally Posted by Phalex

I have a hard time differentiating between funny and racist sometimes.

I think racist stuff is intended to be mean, rather than funny. The intent of the person that is responsible is where things go awry for me.

Yeah I'm on board with this

[Dr_Funkdamental]

A good take on it IMO

YouTube - ‪How To Tell People They Sound Racist‬‏

[PSPookie]

I go by taste. If it tastes racist, then it probably is.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by macaroni tony

Yeah I'm on board with this

I'm not always on board with it though.. Example - I grew up in the 70's with an almost constant barrage of jokes aimed at my ethnicity. It got to the point where I felt like I had to lie as to what my ethnic background was. Not really a big deal in the grand scheme of things but it was still awkward for me.
Things are different now in many ways where those ethnic types of jokes are pretty much long gone, but even now when I hear something of the sort, it tends to tick me off even though I know the ill-intent may not be there.
It's not that I'll react badly or get nasty or anything, I do however get a little defensive even though I know that I should just let it go.

[dbhokie]

Racism = People having eyes.

At some point or another everyone comes across what another may construe as a racist tendency. At some point or another it is the same with cliques and groups. Hate all guitarists, hate all rednecks, skaters, punks, metalheads, hipsters...what have you. In my mind none of it is that different, it doesn't matter, hatred or enmity towards another person because of their beliefs, color of their skin, age, or friends is still the same thing. Building a philosophy around it is what I would think makes a racist. Yet the person who adamantly hates all "rednecks" is just the same, or the person who hates all preps, skaters or whatever else. We are humans, and as such we possess the capability to discriminate for any number of reasons. We use this ability often.

As for me I maintain and have close friends in many walks of life, but I still catch myself stereotyping and such. It's easier to forget about not hating certain groups and focus on loving everyone as much as you are able, and if you aren't able to much..go smoke something and chill out.