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Peaceful Dave's avatar

I think that racism and other isms have a common foundation that in my mind even define them. Low expectations of a member of a group because they are a member of the group.

When we stop looking at someone and have low expectations about ability or expectations for what their behavior will be there is no longer a foundation for the ism.

As for racial slurs, what do they mean to us? If I was to call you the n-word would it say anything about you? I think not, but it would certainly say something negative about me.

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Steve QJ's avatar

"I think that racism and other isms have a common foundation that in my mind even define them. Low expectations of a member of a group because they are a member of the group."

Hmm, that's definitely part of the picture, but I think there's also the issue of simple hatred, or the belief that your group is superior or simply deserves preferential treatment. This *can* be justified by low expectations, but not always.

In fact, sometimes the fear and hatred is brought about by the insecurity that the hated group is superior.

Racial slurs are a means of expressing that fear or hatred or insecurity. And as you say, say nothing about the target of them. I hope for a day when we meet words like that with pity rather than anger.

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