Why is racism still so big today?

**collegegirl2010** · 01-07-2011 06:24 PM

I've dealt with guys saying,"I'm not attracted to black girls, they just aren't attractive". Yes, it is in the human nature to be attracted to your own race, but there is no way possible you won't find atleast one person out of your race that's attractive. People have told me all black people are ugly, or call me the n word, then they have the nerve to say they aren't racist. I know other races experience racism too, whites, asains, hispanics, etc. I'm not racist, nor was I raised to be that way. I think racism is more than ignorant, it's immature. Why are people taught or learn to hate people because of skin color? I know you can't stop it, racism will always be with us but why can't they keep their comments to themselves instead of letting them come out (whether they are typing on a computer, or speaking them)?

**Texinator** · 01-07-2011 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by collegegirl2010

I've dealt with guys saying,"I'm not attracted to black girls, they just aren't attractive". Yes, it is in the human nature to be attracted to your own race, but there is no way possible you won't find atleast one person out of your race that's attractive. People have told me all black people are ugly, or call me the n word, then they have the nerve to say they aren't racist. I know other races experience racism too, whites, asains, hispanics, etc. I'm not racist, nor was I raised to be that way. I think racism is more than ignorant, it's immature. Why are people taught or learn to hate people because of skin color? I know you can't stop it, racism will always be with us but why can't they keep their comments to themselves instead of letting them come out (whether they are typing on a computer, or speaking them)?

Because people, especially the insecure ones, like to focus on the things that make us different, so they have an excuse to put down that difference and feel superior about something. There is of course also ageism, sexism, xenophobia, and religious persecution, but in being an ageist or a sexist you risk offending someone in your family, while most people don't interact much with different nationalities, and so xenophobia is less common. Racism is just the easiest of these biases the.

As for attraction, beautiful women are not exclusive to any particular race. The idea that you can be attracted to your own race only comes from that same racist ignorance. Then again, the most racist people I know also tend to be the dumbest people I know, and sadly, you can't fix stupid.

**jns** · 01-07-2011 09:26 PM

I think most of the ignorance of racism comes from family and friends.

I don't know if I agree with it being human nature to be attracted to your own race, rather to be attracted to people with the same features that you saw when growing up and those that you had good relations with. And sometimes being attracted to features you consider exotic.

Originally Posted by collegegirl2010

I've dealt with guys saying,"I'm not attracted to black girls, they just aren't attractive".
...
People have told me all black people are ugly, or call me the n word, then they have the nerve to say they aren't racist.
...
Why are people taught or learn to hate people because of skin color?

The first two statements are racist, whether the people saying them believe they are or not.

Some people want to feel superior and use skin color to divide people. Surprising or not, in southeast Asia I have seen such discrimination between people of the same race, just of different amounts of pigmentation. Mostly I have seen light skinned feeling superior to dark skinned, but some times it is reversed. The Khmer Rouge had a greater propensity to kill light skinned Cambodians as they were not considered pure enough. Sometimes there is disdain for some who can pass as from another group.

We each can only do our level best to eliminate anything that could be construed as racist. And pass those ideals on to our children and anyone else we can influence.

**rcoreyus** · 01-07-2011 11:14 PM

There is a HUGE difference between not being attracted to people of some race, and thinking that everyone of that race is ugly, or far worse to use derogatory words about them. I don't think people can help who they are attracted to, but they certainly are responsible for being polite to everyone they meet.

I'm sorry you've run into people like that.

**Hopeless Dork** · 01-07-2011 11:23 PM

I agree with Rcoreyus on that difference... I've known people that date outside their race AND are racist at the same time... so sometimes even being attracted to someone of a different race doesn't mean a person isn't a racist. I've knew a girl that would say horrible racist things and thought it was totally cool to say them because her bf was of that race... like because she was sleeping with someone of that race it PROVED she wasn't racist, so she could say whatever she wanted. False.

And there are many people that aren't racist at all, find beauty in all people, but have an attraction to a certain type of race and I find that not much different than guys that only like brunettes, or only like tall girls, etc etc.. its a preference.

Its sad that in this day and age there is still racism, but I think there will always be something that people will choose to dislike about other people... be it their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, body type, social class etc... ppl seem to always default to putting someone else down to make themselves feel better.. and its sad.

**SidneyAlive** · 01-08-2011 12:06 AM

They say the heart is color blind and i've seen thats true, i've known a few couples of mixed race and they seemed to love each other very much, i just judge people on their merit, race doesn't come into play..

But as HD said there is always something that other people will find in others so they can discriminate against them, it's a sad statement..

**Beautiful Disaster** · 01-13-2011 04:59 PM

Racism is still alive. It always will be...in some form. HOWEVER, equality is also very much alive. The US is devoted to providing equal opportunities on every level, but we certainly cannot control or change the ignorance some people hang on to their entire lives. We can only change what we do. It's similar to domestic violence: we know we cannot change the fact that abusers want to abuse........but we CAN change what the victims do about it, we can give them resources etc. Same with racism. So many people like compassion for mankind. And you're right, it goes in all directions. I'm white, and my best friend since 3rd grade is black...and several times growing up I heard people in her family make very racist comments, unaware I could hear them.

As for attraction, I think that's a whole seperate issue. I think saying "I'm not attracted to black women" is similar to saying "I don't like brunettes". Some people say things like that. I, personally, have been VERY attracted to black men at times but most commonly find myself attracted to white men. I have never been attracted to asian men. I cannot tell you why, as I'm certainly far from racist. I'm also more attracted to bigger built men than I am skinny thin built men. I cannot tell you why on that either. I do not think that part of it is a race issue.

You are who you are. The color you are. The body type you are. And you're beautiful, the way you are. Anyone who doesn't appreciate that.....aren't worth a second of your time.

**stressed** · 01-13-2011 07:33 PM

I think my ex was attracted to black/asian women and perhaps men as well (based on his comments, internet people and his porn), yet he only got together with white girls. Some people like what they don't have (if they only see white girls around they fantasize about black girls), others only like what they have (because they're proud of themselves), others would never dare go for what they really want (fear of society).

As for racism itself, people are afraid of what they don't understand. Be it a culture, a race, or a country. Ignorance and poor education leads to fear of the unknown and in advance racism. As long as people are left uneducated racism will always exist.

**Maximus** · 01-14-2011 02:52 AM

This is one hard topic.
It will take a great deal of evolution before it goes away.
The same also apply to equality.
All minority groups, unfortunately, are facing a lot of challenges with regard to their acceptance.

There are countless combinations of black/asian living in a western/european environment, white/asian living in african/afro-american environment, hispanic, etc...

If you happen to be from a minoriy group, as long as you have the attributes of the environment, you will be fine. Occasionally you will run into a person that will remind you about their own ignorance.
Just don't let that get under your skin (no pun intended).

As for the attraction, as long as you still see yourself as the one you see in the mirror, you will always be limited as to what/who you are attracted to. Seeing beyond the eyes.
The notion of appeal is more animalistic, therefore less subject to rational thinking

**Beautiful Disaster** · 01-14-2011 07:01 AM

The notion of appeal is more animalistic, therefore less subject to rational thinking

EXACTLY! We can only look at the "trends" of physical appearances of those we've been attracted to in the past. But I have found, from experience, that is not always an accurate predictor of future. Because as you say, the attraction we feel to some more, real attraction, is very animalistic.