There's racism and racism

[Lark]

I was wondering what people think of the issue of racism, is it possible that attention to historical whiteness and grievances surrounding that have detracted from racism between broadly similar ethnic groups, such as the anti-asian/oriental mindsets in african american communities, anti-semitism among african americans, racialised hatreds between latin nationalities in immigre communities in the US, el salvadorans versus mexicans.

 

[Sriracha]

Most racism exists in low socioeconomic communities. Think of it this way ... take away the color of skin or culture of the person and compare socioeconomic status and you will see the divide more clearly. A better question would be "why does racism tend to be more prevalent in lower classes" or "give an example of racism in upper class society (upper class v. upper class.)"

 

[dogman6126]

Most racism exists in low socioeconomic communities. Think of it this way ... take away the color of skin or culture of the person and compare socioeconomic status and you will see the divide more clearly. A better question would be "why does racism tend to be more prevalent in lower classes" or "give an example of racism in upper class society (upper class v. upper class.)"

I really don't think there's any grounds on which to say that poor people are more or less racist than those that are rich. Speaking from a social psychology perspective, I wouldn't even know where to begin to test that effectively. Far to many variables. Not only do people actively try to not be racist which would taint results, but racism can be influenced by a number of different moods and can be brought about by priming. Not to mention the variability of racism in general. There's prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping that can be applied to race, but can also be applied to a number of other things. Commonly applied to out-group bias. So I suppose the question is if you mean racism to mean any of the three previously mentioned types of racism as only applied to race, or applied to other out-groups. Also there's traditional racism and modern racism, and a range in between. Those that are angry or have low self-esteem are more likely to be overtly racist. Those that feel "safe" can be subtly racist. There's plenty of studies to confirm this, and I can cite some if anyone here wishes me to. Racism is really just the fact of the brain taking a mental "short cut" by using a schema rather than tackling the case individually, and that process then applied to race. Everyone is racist to some degree because we all rely on schemas for various reasons. Your relation to socioeconomic status is just another out-group bias type. Rather than race or culture, it's applied to social class. Same method of relying on schemas to follow a stereotype.

 

[Sriracha]

I really don't think there's any grounds on which to say that poor people are more or less racist than those that are rich. Speaking from a social psychology perspective, I wouldn't even know where to begin to test that effectively. Far to many variables. Not only do people actively try to not be racist which would taint results, but racism can be influenced by a number of different moods and can be brought about by priming. Not to mention the variability of racism in general. There's prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping that can be applied to race, but can also be applied to a number of other things. Commonly applied to out-group bias. So I suppose the question is if you mean racism to mean any of the three previously mentioned types of racism as only applied to race, or applied to other out-groups. Also there's traditional racism and modern racism, and a range in between. Those that are angry or have low self-esteem are more likely to be overtly racist. Those that feel "safe" can be subtly racist. There's plenty of studies to confirm this, and I can cite some if anyone here wishes me to. Racism is really just the fact of the brain taking a mental "short cut" by using a schema rather than tackling the case individually, and that process then applied to race. Everyone is racist to some degree because we all rely on schemas for various reasons. Your relation to socioeconomic status is just another out-group bias type. Rather than race or culture, it's applied to social class. Same method of relying on schemas to follow a stereotype.

Having lived in Georgia for over 15 years, I have seen racism of different levels; however the main point that separated the individuals was always socioeconomic class. For instance, when MARTA tried to make plans to build a light-rail that would extend from Atlanta to North Georgia (or was it Chattanooga) the people who protested the build were upper/middle class whites. Hence MARTA was given the acronym "Moving Africans Right Through Atlanta." They feared lower class, homeless persons and crime would pervade their way of life, and unfortunately Blacks tended to dominate that demographic. If the demographic was predominately white crack heads, they would have applied an acronym to them. In the upper classes, racism is far less prevalent (towards each other) b/c racism tends to fade where the education is higher. There is no competition for resources, but there is fear of disruption in "way of life." Rural predominately white counties would not allow homeless shelters to be built, thinking "if you build, they will come."

Now that I live in Arizona, the melting pot is entirely different. Even though I live around predominately White and Latino cultures (including Jewish and Mormon): the divide is no different regarding socioeconomic classes. I think the "race-card" is pulled too easily when people have absolutely no clue what is going on. I think the only time I experienced some sort of racist remark is when one of my neighbor friends went on a tirade about how whites have taken everything away from the Natives (she is partially Native American.) Usually in those awkward situations, you just keep your mouth shut (as I don't yet have an opinion on the matter ... since I can sympathize with Natives, but yet don't like the accusatory nature towards modern day whites who had nothing to do with what their ancestors did.)