The question is whether or not Racial Preference is Racism.
There are many people who would say it's not; in fact Most people I believe would say it's not. But when one really breaks down what this means, I don't see how so many people have talked themselves into believing it's Not racism.
Sure it's not always has harmful as the Overt Racism of the 1960's and before, but it's still a lingering effect from that time - a cultural idea passed down, that helps keep us divided as a nation along the lines of race.
What is "Racial Preference" - this specifically applies to dating.
I've come to find that it's usually women with this preference, although sometimes it's men as well. In all honesty, myself included, many men seem to like women of all races. Though they may end up marrying or dating someone of the same race, much of it has to do with availability and interest.
See, it's Women who most of the time hold onto the Racial preference when it comes to dating. It's women who will state that they 'only' date men of a certain race - where as men will date anything he can... men will usually face more resistance from women of other races, when those women are not interested in His Race.
This would apply to men of all races - white men who love latinas, asians or love black women may often come to find that those women do NOT like white men - and even 'despise' or 'hate' white men.
Which of course is why I bring this up - It seems and sounds like racism to me - when you hate, despise, or just don't like someone, JUST because of their race.
The last time I checked, that falls under the definition of Racism.
Some definitions for you:
rac·ism /ˈreɪsɪzəm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[rey-siz-uhm] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
[Origin: 1865–70; < F racisme. See race2, -ism]
—Related forms
racist, noun, adjective
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
rac·ism (rā'sĭz'əm) Pronunciation Key
n.
1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
racism
noun
1. the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races
2. discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race
American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
racism
The belief that some races are inherently superior (physically, intellectually, or culturally) to others and therefore have a right to dominate them. In the United States, racism, particularly by whites against blacks, has created profound racial tension and conflict in virtually all aspects of American society. Until the breakthroughs achieved by the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s, white domination over blacks was institutionalized and supported in all branches and levels of government, by denying blacks their civil rights and opportunities to participate in political, economic, and social communities.
.... For years I have argued that, Racial Preference when it comes to dating is nothing more than Discrimination "based on race" - I feel somewhat that our dictionary has failed to include dating based on race in th definition; although it does speak often of Discrimination. So let's take a moment to Define discrimination, to continue this conversation fully informed on what these words mean - so that we can properly address whether or not dating based on racial preference is indeed a form of Racism.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
dis·crim·i·na·tion /dɪˌskrɪməˈneɪʃən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[di-skrim-uh-ney-shuhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. an act or instance of discriminating.
2. treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit: racial and religious intolerance and discrimination.
3. the power of making fine distinctions; discriminating judgment: She chose the colors with great discrimination.
4. Archaic. something that serves to differentiate.
[Origin: 1640–50; < L discrīminātiōn- (s. of discrīminātiō) a distinguishing. See discriminate, -ion]
—Related forms
dis·crim·i·na·tion·al, adjective
—Synonyms 3. discernment, taste, acumen, perception.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
dis·crim·i·na·tion (dĭ-skrĭm'ə-nā'shən) Pronunciation Key
n.
1. The act of discriminating.
2. The ability or power to see or make fine distinctions; discernment.
3. Treatment or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit; partiality or prejudice: racial discrimination; discrimination against foreigners.
dis·crim'i·na'tion·al adj.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
discrimination
noun
1. unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice
2. the cognitive process whereby two or more stimuli are distinguished
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
... So, there you have it - now that we've broken down what these words mean, allow me to build and finish off my case for what makes Dating based on racial preference, Racism... in hopes of informing people and helping to make people Think about what they are doing, when they do it, in hopes that we can end some of the racial divides that have long seperated us in this country.
I chose Discrimination because it is a part of the definition for racism. The belief that one race is somehow better than another.
So, when a black man believes that white women are 'better' than black women - while he may be interested in races other than his own, does his belief that the white woman is better, make him racist?? Does a white woman, who feels that white men are better than black men, latin men, asian men, who is not open to dating someone outside of their race, by doing so, practicing a form of racism?
Let's look at this in a applicable setting. A bar.
A black man walks into a bar, he's open minded, he see's women of all races. He walks up to a beautiful latina and asks her name; But this latina Only dates white guys so, because she has no interest in black men, is rude to the man, ignores him, frowns in his face, and turns her back to walk away.
Did she do this because the guy is ugly? Or is it because he's black?
If it were a White guy, would she have smiled, been friendly, and addressed his questions? Or would she have done the same?
I think we all know the answer but, because so many of our women in this country practice this kind of behavior, we do not want to call it wrong - we do not want to call it racist, but indeed, that's what it is.
So the black man turns his attention to a white woman at the bar, who's only interested in white men; He asks her name, extends his hand - and she does the same thing as the latina woman did - If a white man came up to the white woman, would she be more receptive? Would she treat him with more respect?
What I'm getting at is, these racial preferences that women have, often effect how they interact with men of races that they are not interested in. However this is not always the case. Some will be friendly, they'll be receptive to everything, they may even give out their phone number even though they do not like black men.
And when the man calls... she will simply not answer her phone.
We can swap races for this experiment, and all the same - it sounds and seems like racism to me. People treating others 'different' because of their race.
If we are to ever come together, we must put a stop to racial preference when it comes to dating; although this is a HUGE part of American Culture. The "stick to your own race" ideology that evolved during the days of racism, slavery, and segregation, are all that 'racial preference' is today - Meanwhile the people who's preference is to date outside of thier race, also stem from the same ideology - except it's sort of a rebellion of that idea.
A better, more intelligent approach to relationships can lead to us leaving behind the notion of race all together - and that could lead to us living in a better, more united, and more peace filled nation - that would truly be a force in the world; showing others another way to live their lives - with love, true love for one another, no matter the color of the skin, or the culture they were born into.
Here's to the melting pot!
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