Racism can be defined as seeing another person’s race as something that makes him or her inferior. Being racist specifically means acting out on those ideas such as insults, jokes, taunting, and at its worst – physical assault. More often than in the past, parents are teaching their children to accept other cultures and view all races as equal. When a child hasn’t been exposed to much diversity, it’s hard for him or her to know how to act, but at this point one would hope if a child asks, “Why does she look different than all the other kids?” a parent would respond with, “Because they are African American, which doesn’t make them any less special than you.” Unfortunately, some homes still support the past ideas that races are inferior, and may respond to their child with a negative comment or a racial joke. Even though this is going on in the home, there’s still some chance the child will grow up to dislike these ideas and not act upon the prejudice that he or she has been exposed to while growing up.
As with any comedy routine, it’s okay to laugh and once again, it’s up to the audience members to decide for themselves. However, the environment is what changes how acceptable laughter is. At home or while watching a performance is socially acceptable, whereas laughing at a friend’s racist joke in public will most likely receive an offended reaction. However, simply laughing at a joke cannot make someone racist since it doesn’t reflect all of someone’s values. Perhaps someone is laughing because it’s truly a funny joke, but he or she does feel bad, as he or she has been taught when growing up. This is much different than someone laughing due to growing up with the idea that the hurtful insult in the joke is true.
Racism and discrimination go along with each other, since racism is more than just having prejudice ideas, but also acting on those ideas. The difference is the specific act that’s done towards another race. Dictionary.com defines discrimination as “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.” This would be like a teacher only calling on certain students because of their race. It’s racism due to the teacher thinking some of her students are inferior because of their race and then acting on it, but she is discriminating against her students by only calling on ones of a “smart” race.
Laughing at a racist joke doesn’t necessarily make someone racist, but in the cases where it’s showing some of a person’s values, that person is acting upon his or her racism as well as discriminating against the race the joke insults. He or she is picking out people for their race and laughing at them because of an aspect about it that’s most likely been exaggerated for humor. The person telling the joke also plays a part, because whether it’s one of his beliefs or not, he could just as easily decide not to tell a joke which may offend somebody. It’s not just about being racist and discriminating against people, it’s about being disrespectful towards another person.
I liked your explanation or racism and what it means to be racist. Racism is learned thought and behavior and I agree that it is seen on a lesser scale than in the past. Older generations, such of that of my parents when were born in the 1950’s were raised during the civil rights movement. Back then the country was going through turmoil on the issues of race and equality. Because that generation grew up that way some of their attitudes may have stuck with them throughout time. They may also pass on their beliefs to their children. I don’t believe these people are entirely racist; they are just practicing what they were taught as children. I feel people are racist more in a joking way now and don’t mean any harm by it. Of course these attitudes can cause harm, but I don’t believe most cases I have encountered are meant to hurt others.
ReplyDeleteRacism is still around today of course and it’s usually due to peoples closed mindedness and ignorance. I think people need to open their minds and realize that the color of someone’s skin or their religion does not make them any different. Everyone is a unique individual and deserves respect.
I also agree with your point on laughing at racist jokes. Laughter always has its place. If the joke is told in a setting that is not meant to be discriminatory then I believe you can laugh at it as long as you understand that it has its place.
Nice introduction. I like how you defined what being racist is and talked about how important it is for children to know about the different races. I believe it is up to the parents/peers to introduce different cultures to these young children before they have developed the idea that people who are not like them are considered bad or evil. If children are exposed to different cultures at a young age they are more likely going to be open and welcoming to it. Just like with anything. For examples, eating vegetables, if the child has grown up with eating vegetables they are more likely going to continue eating them.
ReplyDeleteYour second paragraph did a good job of explaining when it is ok to laugh at racist jokes and when it is not acceptable. I agree with you. If someone is in their own home and decides to laugh at a racist joke that is on TV that is acceptable but if they were in a public setting, it probably would not be the best idea to laugh because it could potentially offend someone.
I like how you compared racism and act of discrimination. I believe they do go hand in hand. Your example of these two together was EXCELLENT! I was able to follow your story in my head. It was as though I was a fly on the wall watching this all happen. And, overall I do agree with your statement, laughing at a racist joke does not necessarily mean your racist. Nice Job!