This goes beyond racists. It is everyday people, educated and successful. Their problem is they are "too busy" to properly prioritize understanding individuals in their lives (search for truth), so they generalize and use stereotypes to judge and falsely predict who people really are. \n\nI see this mostly with upper and upper-middle class Caucasians in well-to-suburbia that would defiantly say they're not racist, but would go out of their way not to associate with other races (outside of charity) in fear of being ostracized by their peers. Just about like the Sandra Bullock character in the movie Crash.\n\nIs there a name for people like this? Maybe I need to make one up.
130274
Some would call us Crackers.\n\nUs white folk feel entitled to automatic success because our white guy fore-fathers built this country politically and financially.  We don't try to learn about other races because we don't have to associate with them to make money.  We also don't like other cultures because we are afraid they will 'steal' our legacy.  It becames a self full-filling prophecy that is taught to the next generation of whities.\n\nTwo more notes:\nI don't think they are lazy, they just have never been exposed to other cultures and are confused about how to fit in.  When in doubt, people give up - because it is better to cling to your closed off world than look foolish.\n\nEveryone is looking to fit into a group.  And generally what you learned in high school applies.  Groups put down other groups and peer pressure is relentless.
74435
Seriously?\n\nOk, in society there are several groups of people, the bigots who just carry on the whole race hatred thing that dear old daddy instilled in them, believeing the same hateful words that they spout like a kid saying there ABC's, then there are the honestly ok people who actually dont care who your great great great great great great grandma was and what colour you are- they dont have to be nice people, but hey if they hate you its because of who you are, not wether you successfully colour coordinate with the rest of their friends. then there are the "try to hards"- you may have met them, the ones who say things like "Racist? how insulting, Tarquil here once shook hands with an indian fellow" and send a yearly donation to amnest international (tax deductable). the point is that a lot of the people in charge of things like network programming are in the first or the last catagories and will promote urban music and film as a) its popular to be multi cultural and b) they want to look good. this is actually quite insulting when you think about it, but on the plus side it means that at least more and more young people will gain their own exposure to different cultures and maybe, god forbid, form there own views and actually drop all the self perpetuating crap that has been carried around for too damn long.\n\nMight be nice...
359153
it is a sad, mixed up world and always has been and probably will be for some time. If you notice, those that are racists, or anything else that is negative have a problem with themselves. They are unhappy about something in their life and that is another whole story.  However, those that are easily acceptable to  others, have finally figured out the "Big Picture"
343661
I agree. Alot of people where I live really talk down Mexicans,haitians,ect. And I can say that just like all races,there are many uneducated,lazy people. However, if you open your eyes ( I live among many many Mexicans) they work quite hard. The woman who dont work bust their butts to care for the kids on their own and cook,I see them walking with groceries down the streeyt with babies in their arms. Thats hard work! Many of the men work hard out in the heat,even the "drunks" still are out there working. Too many people are just very judgemental about other races and like you said,THATS uneducated.
670780
Because they can get away with it. Not all back people are racist. I have black friends and they're not. But this site is a prime example, You make a valid point and a load of brainless so called do gooders get on your case and start abusing you. And you'll notice they are all white, the black and coloured people who've answered you have mostly given you a constructive answer. The ones who haven't are the true racists because they are wrapping people in cotton wool just because they're a different colour, and not treating them as equal human beings. And the black people who have given you a stupid answer, like the ones who call you racist, are a result of living in this so called PC society. It like there are saying "hang on, you can't called a wrong doer if he's black, it's just not done"
330782
honestly, everyone is somewhat racist!  There are many people who are not exposed to other races and their attitudes are developed via their parents, media, and their surrounding groups of friends....
663364
I don't think you've met very many black people.  There are plenty of white people that behave the same way you described.  I know educated, well-off black people.  You shouldn't stereotype.
101139
Well, you shouln't make the situation so general as in asians are the only ones who go through the situation.  I am from a tropical island (I'm hispanic) and I'm white, blonde and have blue eyes. Whenever I hang out with "white" people I get asked the same question.  And nobody believes me that I'm hispanic, and yes it's very annoying.\n\nAnswer:  A lot of people of different race/ cultures go through the same thing, why? Because a lot of society is very ignorant and feel most comfortable when they categorize things/people and situations.  Being different is at times scary/ uncomfortable for others.  Ignorance.
358348
America IS a multi-cultural nation like it or not and you can't write off the whole country as being either racist or non-racist, that's just simplistic thinking.\n\nYou're going to have people who believe what they will and you can't change that in any society.  So there will always be people who discriminate against one or more groups for some reason...if not for race, then socio-economic level, because they're too fat or too thin, because they don't look a certain way, because they're male or because they're female...the list goes on.\n\nIf you'd read a paper lately, you'd see that minorities are working their way up the corporate and political ladders at a remarkable pace.  Does that mean we'll see an African-American or Latino President or even a woman President in the next 20 years?  Perhaps not, but the fact that it is a possibility speaks a lot for progress.
213951
Yes, I believe that all people are inherently racist.  In many situations or functions that I've been involved in I noticed that people will group with their own kind.  In my opinion, this is to be expected, but no practiced.  It would be nice if we could be like kids again and not see the learned prejudices that were instilled in us doing socialization.
416991
It's just that people stereotype based on what they see on the media. Just prove them wrong and don't internalize it too much. \nGood luck
136374
First of all, you are lumping those who live in "trailer parks" into one category and not a very nice category, at that.  No, I do not live in a mobile home community.\n\nIn answer to your question, the worst are those of ANY race who refuse to open their minds and hearts and see PEOPLE and not the color of skin.  If you remove the skin, we are all the same mass of muscle, bone and so forth.  The only thing that separates us is mind set.\n\nBigotry exists in all races; there are those in each race who consider their race superior to others.  There are none of us superior to anyone else except for our mind set.  It is the thinking processes we have and the willingness to see everyone beyond skin color that makes us superior to those who continue to make efforts to keep people divided against one another.\n\nIn my opinion, it makes no real difference who the haters and the pot-stirrers are; regardless of whether they get media coverage or not, they still impact society and continue the separation of people.  How do we change that?
636923
I guess a lot of people aren't so sure about their own worth, and it's always nice to be able to look down on someone who you think is worse than you. Probably makes you feel better. In the absence of real achievements your own skin color/nationality/religion just has to do as THE important characteristic to base your worth on. \nThe great thing about racism is that you actually don't have to do anything to be superior. It allows even the most useless person some delusions of adequacy.
535555
personally, i don't believe in the term "politically correct" because i think as a free human being, you have the ability to decide for yourself what you think is correct. In a way i do aagree with you, a part of society is trying to be so anti racist, that it sort of backfires, but then again on the otherside of the scale there are still many many people who really are racists. I think we need to put a stop to this, why do we have to be portrayed as a colour, why can't we all just be portrayed as human beings? is there something so wrong or hard about that , that people can't just try it, for once just try treating everbody equally. peace out.
257427
I think there are very few who are racist example KKK and other hate groups.  But I think majority of the people stereotype.  Just because a person made a comment that Mexicans eat beans does not make them a racist (although perceived by many as being one).  That is stereotyping though.  I believe that we all stereotype based on our experiences and observation towards other race.  And lets face it if there's smoke there's fire...therefore there are some truth to every stereotype.  People are just too defensive and in denial of the truth.  Coz truth hurts.
656035
People use the word racism/racist too freely. Classifying people by race itself isn't racist. African-American, in terms of darker skin or "black", is really the most politically correct term you could use. The same goes for those who are termed Caucasian or "white". Generally, some people are never satisified, but that's probably the best it's going to get. You can't expect people who don't know you well to know your ancestry. People who do not know you can only really guess your race by what they see (I don't see why they would even be talking about that in the first place). If they are incorrect, politely correct them. There's no need to get yourself all worked up. If they're using a derogatory term, that's a different conversation all together.
582343
These are stereotypes.  The saying asks us not to believe them.\n\nSeems simple enough to me!