Well, here we go.
* Bill takes a deep breath :) *
This thread has its genesis in some discussion in the mods team over the last few months about this subject in general. (Some of what we shared with each other might actually be very interesting to members and guests, but of course only with everyone's permission.)
Out of that, came a suggestion to post what is now this thread: a historical overview of the realities of the roots, causes and history of racism. I undertook to do it myself.
At this point, and at this point only, I'll state a personal caveat: (Or, maybe it's a disclosure.)That's my personal view. Others may have different angles on this, by 5º or 180º. :)I do NOT believe any current member of Avalon is a racist in any way that I understand the meaning of the term. I DO believe there are current major issues about the forced integration of different cultures, in both North America and Europe, and there may be hidden agendas behind that, and that these issues are worth understanding and discussing.
I thought I'd look up a definition, first. That's because, as best as I can see, the word is loosely used and MISued in a wide variety of ways.
Here's just a few: (try looking this up yourself... it's interesting)
- prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.
[example] "Aborigines are the main victims of racism in Australia"Note: I included the stated example because a widely-respected Avalon member, a good friend, told me and some others of how she was repeatedly bullied BY Aborigines when she was a young child in Australia.
Was this racism? Probably not. The Aborigine bullies did not feel 'superior'. Just bigger. And, undoubtedly, there was a cycle of abuse that led to their attitude towards a vulnerable, small white girl.
I would like to say, I do hope that person chooses to share her story here. But it's not mine to tell, at all.
- a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others.
- a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
- hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
- Racism is the practice of discriminating against people based on their race, national or ethnic background. Although old prejudices often live on, most people will agree that racism is unacceptable.
And there are 101 other definitions, too. It didn't help all that much.
- Someone who practices racism is called a racist. Racism comes from the idea that the different races are intrinsically different. It’s racism when a white person discriminates against a black person, just as it’s racism if a Japanese person discriminates against a German person. Many worldwide political movements have fought to end racism.
I then turned to Wikipedia, which has a LONG and interesting page:
It starts with
"Does not easily fall under a single definition" — no kidding. That gives carte blanche for the term to be used loosely as a general criticism (or, more bluntly, sometimes a targeted, demeaning, put-down) that may not necessarily be warranted or accurate.
- Racism is the belief in the superiority of one race over another, which often results in discrimination and prejudice towards people based on their race or ethnicity. Today, the use of the term "racism" does not easily fall under a single definition.
The Wiki article is way too long and detailed to quote here. But what might grab one's attention are the images on that page, depicting (accurately, in my opinion) what racism is, and certainly used to be, about.* I've not selected these personally: just copied them from the page. Some may be found offensive, of course, in our present-day culture, but then that's what concerns us all: how we may possibly be able to learn from history.There are way too many for this one post, so I'll paste the images into the three posts below. Then, please dive in with your views — intelligent and educated ones, please. In this context, 'educated' means well-informed... which can definitely include citing one's personal experience.