Ryan's feeling guilty...

Seems Ryan is feeling a bit neglectful of his Bund duties, and promises to rectify the problem as soon as possible. In the mean time...

He poses a very interesting question stemming from the Tea Party debate: What percentage of this country is, actually, racist in its outlook and opinion?

Ponder this thought a while, and you begin to see the scope of the question... but if we are going to discuss the question, I want to get a few definitions straight, first.

How shall we define "racist"?

The official Webster's definition is:

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.

I think that #3 is the most applicable to our question, even more than #1... for no other reason than because it does not require one race to act in a superior manner, but rather to assume that such superiority is fact.

I also think that there is another factor that needs to be considered: Can Americans be guilty of "prejudice" without being "racist", and is that a contributing aspect of the question posed?

I would define "prejudice" as: unreasonable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, esp. of a hostile nature, regarding a racial, religious, or national group.

Both positions stem from a foundation of ignorance... "prejudice" in the manner by which preconceived notions and opinions are developed a priori as opposed to a posteriori, and "racist" from the continued belief that there is an inherent (biological, genetic, intellectual, et al) ability or capability within one race that sets it above all others despite clear proof to the contrary from every facet of modern science and philosophy. That doesn't mean they don't exist and abound in plenty in the minds and thoughts of Americans across the nation.

I think that there is far more "prejudice" in the nation than there is actual, measurable "racism"... but racism does exist. I'm sure we have all met it face to face in our lives... I know I have, and at a very early age, too.

Ryan postulated that 5% of the population is "racist". I think that is a low number, but I haven't had the time to back up my thoughts with facts, yet. I would postulate that far more than 50% of the population is guilty of some form of racial prejudice on an almost daily basis, even if it is not overtly evident in words and actions. I think that my postulation is true, whether we speak of the prejudices held by the white ethnic populations of the US, or the minority ethnic populations, be they African American, Asian American, Latino, Eastern European, or Middle Eastern. This majority-held tendency towards racial prejudice is true for immigrants, first-generation Americans and even several generations removed from the first. They are perpetuated and reinforced through cultural and religious means just as much as they are through society itself, and may constitute a basic, almost fundamental, impediment to the development of a real, functional multi-cultural and multi-racial society.

Ryan's estimate may be very accurate when discussing those who openly declare their racist opinions, though. If that were, in fact, the case, then I'd say that America is in far more trouble than anyone here had thought. I don't think it is impossible, though, that the number is that high. I recall being very surprised at the response I got from a very good, close friend in the casinos on the coast prior to the storm, when I asked him if he felt he experienced racism routinely in his life (he was born in Vietnam, but was raised in the US and was a citizen). He said no, not routinely, but could recall isolated instances where he had experienced it in a very real manner. What surprised me the most, however, was his response and reaction when I asked him what he would feel if his daughter came home and said she was marrying a "white" man. He did not hesitate in saying that he would forbid the marriage, and would do all in his power to separate the two from ever seeing each other again. I asked him why he felt this way, and he really couldn't answer other than to say that Asians shouldn't "mix" with whites... or any other race, it seems. He wasn't virulent, or violent or offensive in his comments, and I tried my best not to pass judgement with my reaction. I still consider the man a close, personal friend... but I also consider him to harbor some racist views, too.

Since all who post here routinely are poster-child examples of white-European-Christian-descended Americans, I'm not sure we are going to get many examples of racism being perpetrated on us that would lend us any credibility with the various "anti-defamation leagues" that exist across the spectrum... but I'd love to hear the rest of your opinions on this topic.