Why in today's world, does racism and bigotry have to exist?
596771
How do you define "still alive and very huge?"  Yes, there is still a lot of prejudice around, but compared to just 50 years ago, it is NOT huge.  Instead, I'd say that there is a strong, yet hidden undercurrent of prejudice in some communities.\n\nThis too will change.  It takes more than 50 years for a culture to change that much.  With each new generation, we get further away from the "whites only" signs of the 50's.  \n\nBut I do feel there are two reasons prejudice will always be with us in one form or another.\n\nFeeling superior.\nThis was said to me (by someone who never could hold down a job or make ends meet) when I asked if he could afford the rent where he was moving.\n"What do you think? I'm not like those muchachos from the other side of the tracks who doesn't even TRY to pay their bills!"\ntranslation; I may be a loser but I'm not as a big of a loser as THOSE people!\n\nShortcut\nI takes a while to know who is honest & who isn't, who is a hard worker & who isn't, etc.\nPrejudice allows people to think they can look at someone & have a short cut to knowing those important things. \n\n\nI suspect a lot of the prejudice blacks face today isn't racism in the strict sense. It's not prejudice against the race, as much as the culture. In other words, "it's OK to be black as long as you walk, talk & act white." It's still prejudice. \n\nExample: A black with a strong black dilect will be treated very differently from one who talks "white."\n(I'm not talking about bad grammer, just different phonetics.)\n\nI think of Jeff Foxworthy's joke "People hear this accent & want to automatically deduct 20 IQ points." How many IQ points do you think get deducted from someone with a black dialect?
1070451
I don't get why there is still racism in the world, we are all equal & should be treated equally.  A person's heart and mind is more important than the color of her skin.
614971
First, to answer your question...some people hate other people because they're taught to.  They're taught to hate by their parents, and their parents are taught to hate by their parents and so forth.... These beliefs have been handed down through generations.  \n\nThese beliefs were created in order to make people feel "better" about the institution of slavery.  If you can "demonize" someone, it's easier on your conscience to justify enslaving them and breaking up their families and killing them, etc...\n\nUnderstand, these beliefs were promulgated and reinforced from about 1619 (when slaves arrived here) until TODAY.  People of African descent were only LEGALLY allowed to participate in society fully after 1964 (voting rights act -AND, Congres STILL has to renew it every few years.  People of European descent or women don't have to endure this scrutiny).  \n\nIf you want to focus on a "color", look at Green.  Those with money have pitted those without money against people of color.  People of color have been the socio-political-economic scape goats of people with money.  Whenever people of limited education and limited means start to ask those in power why their lot in life sucks, those in power simply point to people of color and say, "well, it's because of illegal immigrants, or outsourcing, or foreign imports".  It's easier to make someone ELSE responsible for your misery than to take ownership of it yourself.\n\nSecond, there is only ONE RACE:  HUMAN.  According to the Human Genome Project, EVERY HUMAN on the planet is 99.9% IDENTICAL!  Yep!  The only thing that separates us...is US.  We draw political, social, economic, racial, gender, etc...lines.  "The only sin is separation."  Thinking, BELIEVING that we're really that different from each other.\nAnd to think, we make that stuff up!  We create that separation.  And for the sake of what?  \n\nAs Ben Franklin said, "we must all stand together, or surely we will hang separately."\n\nI wish you Peace.
672440
Maybe in a perfect world.How do we rid the world of racism & ignorance?
213227
Racism is unacceptable in any form. Its true, it does still exist, but only through narrow minded people who care for nothing but themselves. I know what discrmination feels like, as i live in a foreign country, and due to this i have lost respect for people in this country. it only takes a small minority to ruin it for everyone. if u want to know the consequences of racial segregation, research "eugene terreblanche"  "South Africa" "apartheid"  .. proof that segregation causes problems for everyone
559715
Having friends and familly from every race, I find it hard to believe that racism can exist if you take the time to meet someone different from yourself and to respect those differences.  You are right, there is a lot of emphasis put on racism.  I am always amazed that people who consider themselves good people think nothing of making some of the comments that they do when they either think that they are with like minded people or when they can do it anonymously as in this forum.  The definition of racism is to believe that one race is superior to another simply because of race.  I can only believe that people who have this belief are truly missing out on some great friendships.  To think that you are better than anyone simply because of race is the epitomy of arrogance.
108533
yes i there still is. but it is in little dribs and drabs here and there. People are so afraid to be out and out racist that they say and do things quitely. For instance they may not give a black person as much work because they think they are lazy and not dependable. They may not serve them at a resturant because they think they won't get a tip. (See the question about black people at resturant). What makes me mad his how white people get mad when we say that actions against us are racist. but what they don't seem to understand is that if you are so upset that we play the "racecard" then stop dealing it! know the reason why we feel the way we do  and have some empathy. Look I am not blaming todays white youth for the problems of slavery. but if you know the history you would try to change it!
627893
It's a sad fact that there are racists in every race and culture.There is even racism among people of the same race toward each other.\nYep,there are 'asteroid orifices' of every color;jerks will be jerks no matter the color of their skin.
196261
Racism is not becoming less prevalent. It is just more subtle. Racism today is not just "in your face" It's kind of under the table. and the you can see some of the subtle racism on the show.
858635
You will find racism in every country by every race.  Why is it assumed that whites or Americans are the only ones.  Racism is world wide.
120024
No, because racism is something that stands because they are different. If something is different, you'll have a hard time understanding it, if you can't understand it, you won't like it. And society reinforces it in television and the such.
194784
As long as racism remains in society, it will exist in professional sports ... as the sports world is only a microcosm of society as a whole.
464141
Racism is alive and well in the usa. It used to be mainly one sided. However these days it is a multibillion dollar a year business that has made many millionaires as well as many a politicians careers. There are laws in place to curb racism. However the way they are often applied, is not balanced. I think we have learned precious little in 200+ years. Unfortunately there are plenty of people who are opportunists and/or hate mungers.
855476
Its always been like this. People are uneducated therefore anything new or different to them is frightening and instead of maybe trying to learn from it  they are scared and automatically shut it out  and discriminate against it. It is so awful but everyone does it in some way. It could be blacks and whites,fat people and skinny people, chinese and american, country music and rap music.Its such a broad subject and it will never change. People like you and myself can find comfort in knowing we to the best of our ability do not discriminate against anyone for the way they choose to live their life. If more people could be like that alot could change in this world but i don't see that happening. The human race has a better chance of becoming extinct from man killing man because of hate.
928990
People are often afraid of what they do not know or understand.  Fear is a big factor for almost all bigotry.
689237
It is statements/questions like these that encourage racism.  I realize it is a seemingly innocent question, but the tone of it lends to lump a whole race/religion of people into one category and then analyzes them all according to one assumption.
355485
Yes, racism exists. But what seems to be more pervasive is the startling lack of education here. Perhaps you should utilize your spellchecker once in a while, or no one will be able to figure out what you're asking!