I've been debating a racist poll

[xobehs]

Is it a bad idea if I were to post a poll asking if you are a racist/prejudiced?
I would make the responses anonymous.
I guess I am just curious if there are any folks who are [secretly] consider themselves prejudiced.
I would need a few catagories...
If you have an opinion as to whether I should post it or not, or races/religions/groups and so forth post them here.

[KaraJ]

How about social prejudice?
Don't forget one for those darned Mormons! ;)

[JudyJudyJudy]

I didn't know a poll could be racist? ;)

Seriously, though, go ahead.

[JudyJudyJudy]

How about social prejudice?
Don't forget one for those darned Mormons! ;)
I had a poll one time about whom you would be willing to vote for for president. Many people would not vote for a JW (not that one would run anyway), and the next worst group was LDS. Blacks and women got more votes than either JW, LDS, or atheists.

[Sputterduck]

If a JW ran for president they'd be disfellowshipped.

Make the poll. I am curious.

[KaraJ]

I had a poll one time about whom you would be willing to vote for for president. Many people would not vote for a JW (not that one would run anyway), and the next worst group was LDS. Blacks and women got more votes than either JW, LDS, or atheists. I won't deny I'd be skeptical about having an atheist president. But then I'll also admit I don't know any on a personal level or in RL, so my opinion is biased.

[KaraJ]

If a JW ran for president they'd be disfellowshipped. I know. I think that's unfortunate though, JW's are awesome!

[Sputterduck]

Yeah JWs don't do politics. Why? Because apparently Satan runs governments. :)

[pawprint]

I won't deny I'd be skeptical about having an atheist president. But then I'll also admit I don't know any on a personal level or in RL, so my opinion is biased.


No kidding. What in the world does a non-belief in god have to do with one's ability to govern. Morals and god are not mutually exclusive.

[KaraJ]

No kidding. What in the world does a non-belief in god have to do with one's ability to govern. Morals and god are not mutually exclusive. No, it's true they're not mutually exclusive, but atheists morals tend to differ my mine by a lot.

[Wildf1ower]

No, it's true they're not mutually exclusive, but atheists morals tend to differ my mine by a lot.


How so?

I'm not making this up when I say some of the meanest people I've known have been religious. Just saying.

[Sameach]

I would not be interested in that type of poll. I am fully aware that racism, sexism, religionism, and all other isms exist in the world. This place is not immune to those isms, and I don't need a poll to show me that. All I think that kind of poll would show is that people would probably not be truthful, the results would not be what the OP or others expected, and then a whole series of posts would follow that would suggest people are either lying or do not realize that they really are racist.

Basically, I don't see the good in a poll like that.

[steelady]

I'll be truthful. I know I'm racist to some extent. It's not a conscious thing and I have a mechanism in my head that I go through to make sure I'm not acting on those initial racist thoughts (actually works most of the time).

Prejudice, to me, is just a part of whom we are. IMO, all of use are prejudice to some extent against someone. The trick, for me, is being able to recognize, acknowledge and work through it.

[HammBugga]

I'll be truthful. I know I'm racist to some extent. It's not a conscious thing and I have a mechanism in my head that I go through to make sure I'm not acting on those initial racist thoughts (actually works most of the time).

Prejudice, to me, is just a part of whom we are. IMO, all of use are prejudice to some extent against someone. The trick, for me, is being able to recognize, acknowledge and work through it.


Steel said exactly what I was thinking and I agree. I have been racist at times. I am also prejudice a lot of the time. I think anyone who says they are not or have never been either is either lying or a Saint. And I hate to say it, but there are no Saints on this board.

[steelady]

No, it's true they're not mutually exclusive, but atheists morals tend to differ my mine by a lot.


I will gladly say my morals tend to differ from yours.

I'm grateful for that.

[steelady]

How so?

I'm not making this up when I say some of the meanest people I've known have been religious. Just saying.


That describes Kara...

[still_me]

I'll be truthful. I know I'm racist to some extent. It's not a conscious thing and I have a mechanism in my head that I go through to make sure I'm not acting on those initial racist thoughts (actually works most of the time).

Prejudice, to me, is just a part of whom we are. IMO, all of use are prejudice to some extent against someone. The trick, for me, is being able to recognize, acknowledge and work through it.


Very honorable of you Steel. That takes more guts to say out loud than hitting a circle for your stance.


By Webster's definitions, I can comfortably say that I have been more prejudice, than racist at times. I have never thought my race is better than some other race.




Main Entry:
rac·ism Listen to the pronunciation of racism
Pronunciation:
\ˈrā-ˌsi-zəm also -ˌshi-\
Function:
noun
Date:
1933

1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race 2 : racial prejudice or discrimination
— rac·ist Listen to the pronunciation of racist \-sist also -shist\ noun or adjective



Main Entry:
1prej·u·dice Listen to the pronunciation of 1prejudice
Pronunciation:
\ˈpre-jə-dəs\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praejudicium previous judgment, damage, from prae- + judicium judgment — more at judicial
Date:
13th century

1: injury or damage resulting from some judgment or action of another in disregard of one's rights ; especially : detriment to one's legal rights or claims2 a (1): preconceived judgment or opinion (2): an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge b: an instance of such judgment or opinion c: an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics

[pawprint]

How so?

I'm not making this up when I say some of the meanest people I've known have been religious. Just saying.


Amen.

[JenniferH]

I believe that anyone who says they never have preconceived notions about a group (prejudice) that is different from them is either lying or lacking insight. Many of us have learned what our prejudices are and have worked hard to overcome them.

I'm always struck by how many people do lack this insight. They are typically the ones who make me cringe when they say, "I don't have a prejudiced bone in my body, but all those X people are always XYZ."

[pawprint]

When I was a teenager, I got turned around in aa bad neighborhood albeit in the middle of the day. i hadn't been driving long and I was freaked out. I was at a stop light and two young black men crossed in front of me. I reached across the car and locked my doors. As soon as I did it I felt the surge of guilt rack through my body. Two white guys would not have gotten that reaction from me. I've examined that reaction for more than a decade now and I don't ever see it happening again. But only because I have made a concious effort to examine my ideas and prejudices about race.

[Born_a_Diva]

I believe that anyone who says they never have preconceived notions about a group (prejudice) that is different from them is either lying or lacking insight. Many of us have learned what our prejudices are and have worked hard to overcome them.

I'm always struck by how many people do lack this insight. They are typically the ones who make me cringe when they say, "I don't have a prejudiced bone in my body, but all those X people are always XYZ."


So true!

[KaraJ]

How so?

I'm not making this up when I say some of the meanest people I've known have been religious. Just saying. Well for one thing, Atheists don't believe in God. Having a president who doesn't believe in the Supreme Being would be asking for it.
From what I've seen, they aren't tolerant of others beliefs. They also tend to be extremely liberal, which for the most part, I don't agree with.

[Bohemian]

Having a president who doesn't believe in the Supreme Being would be asking for it.

Asking for what?

[EvilAmy]

Asking for what?

You know because God would be like totally ticked off again at this nation's ungodlessness and he'd have to send another Hurricane Katrina or something to wipe out all those hedonistic unbelievers.

Geez Boho keep up.

[JudyJudyJudy]

As for the prejudice issue, I never thought of myself as prejudiced until I taught high school in S. Central Georgia. I was 23 years old, and I experienced a lot of discrimination by the principal, other teachers, students, and the students' parents. I think what did me in, though, was when guys, all black, had the gall to grab my butt in the hallway. I couldn't pinpoint which ones were doing it, and the principal, who was also black, would do nothing about it.

Another time I walked down the hall, and a group of black guys stared me down, and as I walked by, they said, "Ooooooooh, mama! I want some of that stuff!"

Again, the principal would do nothing. White students were experiencing similar problems, and the principal wouldn't do anything about that, either. I'll admit that I did become prejudiced during that time.

Then I moved to Atlanta. I was teaching school in an all white school north of Atlanta, but I was living in a very diverse area in the city limits of Atlanta. One night I went to the laundry mat, and before I knew it I was surrounded by nothing but Mexican men. I was the only female of any race in there. They kept saying things and looking at me with "that look." I truly was afraid of being raped. I didn't know if I should haul ass and leave my clothes behind or what. Ironically, I was very relieved when a black couple came in. I felt much safer then.

At this point, to be quite honest, I didn't know who scared me more: black men or hispanic men.

As I said earlier, at this time I was teaching school in an all white area. Well, one day I stopped to get gas. This was before "pay at the pump" was available. As I was pumping, a truck full of men, all white, in both the cab and the bed, came up. They had an American flag on one side of the truck at the back and a Rebel flag on the other side. They started hooping and hollering and yelling vulgar stuff at me. Even though I had not finished pumping gas, I stopped and all but ran inside. I paid for the gas and stayed near the counter until they left.

I then reached the conclusion that there are scummy men in every race. Of course, I still hold some prejudices about groups of people at times, not just based on race. I try really hard not to, but I still do. However, I truly don't believe that I let it affect whom I'd hire (if I were in that position), whom I will be friends with, whom I will vote for, etc., nor would I tell my children (including dsd in the past) whom they could date.

I was young and single when all the events I described above happened. I ended up marrying a man who is hispanic. I'm sure it would offend some people, but dh and I do cut up about stereotypes. We joke that we're "equal opportunity" because we make fun of all of them, but especially "his people" and "my people."

[JudyJudyJudy]

Well for one thing, Atheists don't believe in God. Having a president who doesn't believe in the Supreme Being would be asking for it.
From what I've seen, they aren't tolerant of others beliefs. They also tend to be extremely liberal, which for the most part, I don't agree with.
The irony here is just too funny to take seriously. :gig:

[Bellaelle]

I am prejudiced against any gang members; white,black or hispanic. I hate them all equally and wish they would just all die.

[BeachMama]

Yeah JWs don't do politics. Why? Because apparently Satan runs governments.
That doesn't sound so far fetched to me. ;)



No, it's true they're not mutually exclusive, but atheists morals tend to differ my mine by a lot.

How so? Can you give some examples?

[JudyJudyJudy]

Yeah JWs don't do politics. Why? Because apparently Satan runs governments.
What I was taught is that "we" don't get involved in worldly things, and that includes the government. However, "we" (I was always addressed as a part of the "we") do obey laws unless they go against Jehovah.


No, it's true they're not mutually exclusive, but atheists morals tend to differ my mine by a lot.

How so? Can you give some examples?
Based on past posts, I'd have to say that atheists aren't as bigoted or judgmental as she is.

[BeachMama]

Well for one thing, Atheists don't believe in God. Having a president who doesn't believe in the Supreme Being would be asking for it.

I'm scratching my head at this one.


From what I've seen, they aren't tolerant of others beliefs. They also tend to be extremely liberal, which for the most part, I don't agree with.
I'll agree that most Atheists are probably liberal (at least all the ones I know, myself included). The part about not being tolerant, though, is funny.

[BeachMama]

Okay, I'm starting to think I shouldn't even bother.

[GirlsMama]

Well for one thing, Atheists don't believe in God. Having a president who doesn't believe in the Supreme Being would be asking for it.
From what I've seen, they aren't tolerant of others beliefs. They also tend to be extremely liberal, which for the most part, I don't agree with.


An Atheist not tolerant of others' beliefs? Wow. I think those who believe in a god are much much more likely to try to push their beliefs on others, try to save others, try to convince them to believe as they do. To me that shows a lack of tolerance on the side of believers more than the side of non-believers.

[Tweet]

I am prejudiced against any gang members; white,black or hispanic. I hate them all equally and wish they would just all die.


I don't wish they'd die , but gang members scare the hell out of me. I've had some bad experiences with them and it's cast a shadow on the way I view some things. For example, when I see a certain style of hip hop clothing, I wonder if the person wearing it is in a gang. My mind goes there because I grew up around gang bangers that dressed that way. And yes, I realize that the hip hop culture is more layered than that. That's my own short coming.

[steelady]

I'm scratching my head at this one.



I'll agree that most Atheists are probably liberal (at least all the ones I know, myself included). The part about not being tolerant, though, is funny.

Many atheists are tolerant of many more things (in comparison to some fundamental Christian faiths), but, in my experience, some are less tolerant of religions in general, and in the US, of the Christian belief . Or rather, I believe it is a combination of lack of tolerance (by some) and a perceived (and in some cases actual, I'm sure) disdain of those who do believe in any God.

Was that weasley enough? .

[MissionaryMomma]

I have dealt with my own prejudices. I was taught growing up that a white and a black marrying is "becoming unequally yoked". Talk about twisting scripture.

Then I analyzed it as a teenager when my great Aunt married a black man. He was so cool. Why again was it bad that they married? Why is it ok for whites and hispanics or whites and asians, but not whites and blacks? I had to dig deep and find out why I felt this way----and it was that I had been taught as such.

Also, intolerance comes from so many directions---religious and non-religious. Yes, I've heard hate preaching. But I've also felt a lot of hatred in my own direction for being *religious*. It's sad on all accounts.

[CatEyes]

I have dealt with my own prejudices. I was taught growing up that a white and a black marrying is "becoming unequally yoked". Talk about twisting scripture.

Then I analyzed it as a teenager when my great Aunt married a black man. He was so cool. Why again was it bad that they married? Why is it ok for whites and hispanics or whites and asians, but not whites and blacks? I had to dig deep and find out why I felt this way----and it was that I had been taught as such.

Also, intolerance comes from so many directions---religious and non-religious. Yes, I've heard hate preaching. But I've also felt a lot of hatred in my own direction for being *religious*. It's sad on all accounts.


To be honest. I am from a "racist family". I was brought up that it is wrong to be with a AA. I know now that is wrong to think like that and be judgemental because of a person's skin. My sister is living with a AA. While I was growing up my dad showed dislike for my sister dating a AA or a mixed race man. I don't know how my dad feels about my sister living with a AA now a days. My mom and her SO is very disturbed that my sister is living with a AA.To be honest, my initial reaction was what I was tought while growing up when I first heard that my sister was living with a AA. I know now that is wrong to think and feel that way. I am trying hard to change my way of thinking because of what i was raised with and am trying to overcome it.