Are People Here Racist?

[MrRealDeal]

I really don't get the whole racist discussion anyway, as the word "race" isn't even a scientific term. Even though humans ethnics differ depending on where they're located on this planet, there are no genetical differences between them. Craig Venter is one of the first biologists who has sequenced the human genome and made his point quite clear, quote:

"Race is a social concept. It's not a scientific one. There are no bright lines (that would stand out), if we could compare all the sequenced genomes of everyone on the planet." "When we try to apply science to try to sort out these social differences, it all falls apart."

The term "intelligence" is relative and it depends on a whole bunch of different factors and conditions. It can't be applied to some specific ethnic group nor does just one particular definition apply. Just like most sane people, we do have certain values in common that we use to mesure whether to classify people as those we get along with, and those we don't, regardless who they are or where they come from.

Thats only one opinion thats not shared by much more than 50 percent of any given group of Scientists ..... I made a long post explaing all that earlier if you care to read it. A Forensic scientist would ask .... If races don't exist why are we so good at figuring them out ? A bio medicine person making race targeted drugs would likely disagree ..... Anthroploigsts are split down the middle ect ......

The upshot of all that from wiki is it boils down to location or race which is a little absurd as Caucations come from the Cacus mountian region , Asians from Asia ect ...... It's not that their are not genetic differences that allow for Forensic Scientists to be accurate it's weather or not Asian means the Location of Asia or the Race of Asian , pretty much a nonsense discussion to me. But others would of course disagree.

[katana]

Unfortunately Jing it would appear you are the one trying to justify your 'rooted' thoughts by claiming it applies to all, good luck!

I concur with Jingthing.

We may have physically left the caves thousands of years ago, but our genetic make up is hard wired tribal in nature.

Agree. In caveman times a new and different looking tribe migrating to your area might be perceived as a threat or a competitor for resources.

[GiHadOrange]

Further more is an inate ability to identify your own grouping a direct link to your following up with the superiority complex that is the core aspect of racism?

that superiority complex is the most common from of racism you can find here on thaivisa.

[pxlgirl]

Apart from the quote I posted earlier, lemme make my position from my personal perspective: I never really understood why some people think they are better than others, and others think that they are better than some people and all the ways round. It's just all odd to me, I dunno, maybe I miss out something here? And someone mentioned god, what does this have to do with it? I mesure people by how they act, how they approach things, how they think and how they (are willing) to learn, how they solve problems, how honest they are with themselves and others, what are their motives, interests and intentions. I give a fsck if they are green, white, yellow, purple, orange, pink or rainbow colored. Some of those who belong to these groups kick a_ss, some suck... That's life. I hang out with those who meet my standards and ignore the rest. Maybe I'm just weird, whatever...

[GiHadOrange]

I really don't get the whole racist discussion anyway, as the word "race" isn't even a scientific term. Even though humans ethnics differ depending on where they're located on this planet, there are no genetical differences between them. Craig Venter is one of the first biologists who has sequenced the human genome and made his point quite clear, quote:

"Race is a social concept. It's not a scientific one. There are no bright lines (that would stand out), if we could compare all the sequenced genomes of everyone on the planet." "When we try to apply science to try to sort out these social differences, it all falls apart."

The term "intelligence" is relative and it depends on a whole bunch of different factors and conditions. It can't be applied to some specific ethnic group nor does just one particular definition apply. Just like most sane people, we do have certain values in common that we use to mesure whether to classify people as those we get along with, and those we don't, regardless who they are or where they come from.

Yes, race is not a scientific term.

But still, there are a lot of racists around. also on this board.

[rene123]

A Jew and a Puerto Rican apply for a job as accountant in the U.S.. Both have the exact same qualifications and both seem like they would fit in well into the work environment. The Puerto Rican might get the job but there isn't an interviewer alive who wouldn't THINK about the ethnic background of the two applicants in making their decision. Do the math.

That is a poor example, jingthing. There could be many factors why a manager might pick one ethnic person over another group. Location and clientel might be one factor. If you are trying to do business with Jews or Puerto Ricans then that is the person you choose. It is the same as when hiring a receptionist. A plain girl might be smarter, but another one who is prettier will get the job because she is more likely to attract clients. But, if you are trying to keep your accounts in order the manager will pick the smarter girl. And, there is always the old story of which woman to hire... the one with the biggest boobs of course. Even that makes sense if you are trying to attract male clients.

[canuckamuck]

It is natural to be guarded, if not suspicious of differences, because sometimes these differences represent a threat. That is animal nature. This can be represented with similarities being perceived as superior traits because the similarities represent benefit through reduced threat or mutual interest.

In humans there is a certain level of wisdom in identifying which individuals represent harm, and which represent similar interest. And also what are the indicators of threat or mutual benefit. People who say that such things do not influence their decisions are lying; and it could be proven by testing their reaction to being dropped off in a dangerous neighborhood.

However skin color, ethnic background, and religion; are not as dependable indicators as people make them out to be. The only true measurement is experience and interaction.

[Scully]

A Jew and a Puerto Rican apply for a job as accountant in the U.S.. Both have the exact same qualifications and both seem like they would fit in well into the work environment. The Puerto Rican might get the job but there isn't an interviewer alive who wouldn't THINK about the ethnic background of the two applicants in making their decision. Do the math.

That is a poor example, jingthing. There could be many factors why a manager might pick one ethnic person over another group. Location and clientel might be one factor. If you are trying to do business with Jews or Puerto Ricans then that is the person you choose. It is the same as when hiring a receptionist. A plain girl might be smarter, but another one who is prettier will get the job because she is more likely to attract clients. But, if you are trying to keep your accounts in order the manager will pick the smarter girl. And, there is always the old story of which woman to hire... the one with the biggest boobs of course. Even that makes sense if you are trying to attract male clients.

Thats sexist, why would it be a girl?.

[muythai2013]

this is pointless, we cant even agree on what racism is, so this is going nowhere like every thread.

the problem is we all no what we are talking about, but in an egotistical attempt to sound smarter then the rest, others will make stupid point like technically this is not a race or thats no a whatever.

we all know what the hell we mean, so keep it simple.

[Berkshire]

this is pointless, we cant even agree on what racism is, so this is going nowhere like every thread.

the problem is we all no what we are talking about, but in an egotistical attempt to sound smarter then the rest, others will make stupid point like technically this is not a race or thats no a whatever.

we all know what the hell we mean, so keep it simple.

Agree. I think most people understand what racism is, yet, they try to derail the discussion by pulling out ridiculous definitions or scientific explanations, going as far as to say everyone is racist in some form or another. Rather disingenuous.

Simply put, racism is looking down on another based purely on race.

[MrRealDeal]

Medical Defenition : noun

1. A local geographic or global human population distinguished as a more or less distinct group by genetically transmitted physical characteristics.
   

Biologial Defenition: In biology, races are distinct genetically divergent populations within the same species with relatively small morphological and genetic differences. The populations can be described as ecological races if they arise from adaptation to different local habitats or geographic races when they are geographically isolated. If sufficiently different, two or more races can be identified as subspecies, which is an official biological taxonomy unit subordinate to species. If not, they are denoted as races, which means that a a formal rank should not be given to the group, or taxonomists are unsure whether or not a formal rank should be given. According to Ernst W. Mayr, "a subspecies is a geographic race that is sufficiently different taxonomically to be worthy of a separate name"

Forensic Anthropology : Forensic anthropology is the application of the scientific study of the human skeleton within the context of medical and legal problems, usually in cases involving personal identification and evidence of foul play. Determination of ancestral background (race) of a human skeletal or decomposed body is one essential element in the protocol of a forensic anthropologist’s laboratory examination.

Their are sure a lot Scientific Defenitions for a term that is not Scientific ! lol These are just 3

[canuckamuck]

this is pointless, we cant even agree on what racism is, so this is going nowhere like every thread.

the problem is we all no what we are talking about, but in an egotistical attempt to sound smarter then the rest, others will make stupid point like technically this is not a race or thats no a whatever.

we all know what the hell we mean, so keep it simple.

Agree. I think most people understand what racism is, yet, they try to derail the discussion by pulling out ridiculous definitions or scientific explanations, going as far as to say everyone is racist in some form or another. Rather disingenuous.

Simply put, racism is looking down on another based purely on race.

I would say that racism is using ethnicity to prejudge. Not necessarily looking down on others.One might expect Jamaican runners to finish well in the 100 meter dash, or a Korean kid to be good at math. Those are 2 examples of positive prejudices some one may hold.

We are very unlikely to have no prejudices. However it is possible to ignore them and treat people equal and fairly.

[Jingthing]

Racism covers quite a lot. It's not a simple concept. It can be trivial. It can be malignant. Positive racism is also racism. Can even positive racism sometimes be harmful? Yes. Use your imagination as to ways that could be.

Another poster suggested that people who don't accept that racism is a simple clear cut black and white type issue are being disingenuous. I can assure you that you might not agree with me, but I am not being disingenuous about this subject.

[rijb]

Let's not forget the ugly sting of profiling...

[Berkshire]

this is pointless, we cant even agree on what racism is, so this is going nowhere like every thread.

the problem is we all no what we are talking about, but in an egotistical attempt to sound smarter then the rest, others will make stupid point like technically this is not a race or thats no a whatever.

we all know what the hell we mean, so keep it simple.

Agree. I think most people understand what racism is, yet, they try to derail the discussion by pulling out ridiculous definitions or scientific explanations, going as far as to say everyone is racist in some form or another. Rather disingenuous.

Simply put, racism is looking down on another based purely on race.

I would say that racism is using ethnicity to prejudge. Not necessarily looking down on others.One might expect Jamaican runners to finish well in the 100 meter dash, or a Korean kid to be good at math. Those are 2 examples of positive prejudices some one may hold.

We are very unlikely to have no prejudices. However it is possible to ignore them and treat people equal and fairly.

Prejudging is not the same as racism. Racists do tend to prejudge, but those who prejudge are not necessarily racists. There's talk about how Thais tend to treat farangs differently than their own, but that's not necessarily racism. Sometimes, farangs are treated better, for example, higher salary in some jobs solely for being a farang.

The western concept of racism is that it's a bad thing. Apartheid in South Africa. Slavery in the USA, not to mention all that happened after. That's real racism. I've seen in the news recently where a black footballer was taunted by racists in Italy, to the point of walking off the field. That's real racism. And some Russian football team was asked by their fans not to sign any black footballers. That's real racism. I can go on and on.

The question from the OP is whether some expats in Thailand are racist towards the locals. By some of the posts I've read on these threads, the answer would appear to be yes.

[Jingthing]

I think you mean "real" racism as in racism that is manifested into real world actions that actually harms people based on perceptions of their race (a social construct). I think there is more to racism than that, but so be it.

[MacChine]

Are people here racist ? People here? Where? On the forum or Thais?

I

I find Thais to be as racist as it gets, especially toward westerners in a de humanizing manner. Maybe Thais treat everyone like that though.

I find the term farang just plain ill- mannered, to announce me by my race is somehow OK?

I think the female procurement industry covers for a lot of poor behavior.. It's all OK as long as sex is cheap and young wives available. Kinda hampers any social progress.

IMO - Dealing with The Thai while keeping to the law, is as hard as it gets.

To make an observation on personal experience and have it branded as racist, that is about quelling speech.

Incidentally The Thai are not a race, but a nation who are apt to be a bit difficult, for me personally, to deal with.

So I enjoy hearing others , many others think and feel the same way. Let's have a club. Oh it's called Thai Visa

[rene123]

A Jew and a Puerto Rican apply for a job as accountant in the U.S.. Both have the exact same qualifications and both seem like they would fit in well into the work environment. The Puerto Rican might get the job but there isn't an interviewer alive who wouldn't THINK about the ethnic background of the two applicants in making their decision. Do the math.

That is a poor example, jingthing. There could be many factors why a manager might pick one ethnic person over another group. Location and clientel might be one factor. If you are trying to do business with Jews or Puerto Ricans then that is the person you choose. It is the same as when hiring a receptionist. A plain girl might be smarter, but another one who is prettier will get the job because she is more likely to attract clients. But, if you are trying to keep your accounts in order the manager will pick the smarter girl. And, there is always the old story of which woman to hire... the one with the biggest boobs of course. Even that makes sense if you are trying to attract male clients.

Thats sexist, why would it be a girl?.

Sexism or racism, it's just good business sense. Money talks and always has.

[MacChine]

I think most of us know, it when we see it, racism in not nearly so subjective. For instance, I'd offer as evidence Thais are racist against people of darker skin or Indian ethnicity, in that all models on TV and presenters, etc., all those considered attractive are whitewashed blindingly white with decidingly un- Malay pennisular features .

Yet I find to be "white" and a foreigner makes me into an " other" to be resisted, or exploited. Farang.

However I may say the same of Chinese, but I have limited experience. So my view, my opinion my "racism" , is yes, directed at a nationality because of a cultural dictation on how I, as a stupid farang, am viewed and treated.

this is pointless, we cant even agree on what racism is, so this is going nowhere like every thread.

the problem is we all no what we are talking about, but in an egotistical attempt to sound smarter then the rest, others will make stupid point like technically this is not a race or thats no a whatever.

we all know what the hell we mean, so keep it simple.

[NewlyMintedThai]

We should probably be talking about bigotry instead of racism.

[Jingthing]

We should probably be talking about bigotry instead of racism.

I'm in. Let's complicate this semantic minefield even further!

[StreetCowboy]

We should probably be talking about bigotry instead of racism.

I'm in. Let's complicate this semantic minefield even further!

Couldn't we talk about something pleasant, like trees and flowers?

[canman]

A

We should probably be talking about bigotry instead of racism.

I'm in. Let's complicate this semantic minefield even further!

An interesting comparison here from wiki answers

A racist is someone who believes in the superiority of one race over another, or who acts differently (usually negatively) towards a person or a group of people because of their race. An example would be a member of the Ku Klux Klan, who espouse the superiority of the white race.

A bigot is a blinkered, narrow-minded person, usually also very intolerant and unable to see anyone else's point of view. People can be bigoted about things that have nothing to do with race, for example, religion or sexual orientation. A prime example would be Archie Bunker from the old television sitcom "All in the Family."

[ravip]

We should probably be talking about bigotry instead of racism.

I'm in. Let's complicate this semantic minefield even further!

Couldn't we talk about something pleasant, like trees and flowers?

And the birds & bees?

[rijb]

A

We should probably be talking about bigotry instead of racism.

I'm in. Let's complicate this semantic minefield even further!

An interesting comparison here from wiki answers

A racist is someone who believes in the superiority of one race over another, or who acts differently (usually negatively) towards a person or a group of people because of their race. An example would be a member of the Ku Klux Klan, who espouse the superiority of the white race.

A bigot is a blinkered, narrow-minded person, usually also very intolerant and unable to see anyone else's point of view. People can be bigoted about things that have nothing to do with race, for example, religion or sexual orientation. A prime example would be Archie Bunker from the old television sitcom "All in the Family."

Some posters seem to be going for the trifecta: a racist, a bigot and a sexist.

[Fookhaht]

A bigot.... A prime example would be Archie Bunker from the old television sitcom "All in the Family."

But he was such a LIKABLE bigot. So unaware of his own biases, we smiled at his self-centered ignorance. Not unlike a huge percentage of TV posters, eh? Both TV sitcom and TV forum keep us coming back for the entertainment.

[chonabot]

A bigot.... A prime example would be Archie Bunker from the old television sitcom "All in the Family."

But he was such a LIKABLE bigot. So unaware of his own biases, we smiled at his self-centered ignorance. Not unlike a huge percentage of TV posters, eh? Both TV sitcom and TV forum keep us coming back for the entertainment.

Not as funny as the original bigot ( the inspiration for Archie )

Mr Alf Garnett

[thaibeachlovers]

A

We should probably be talking about bigotry instead of racism.

I'm in. Let's complicate this semantic minefield even further!

An interesting comparison here from wiki answers

A racist is someone who believes in the superiority of one race over another, or who acts differently (usually negatively) towards a person or a group of people because of their race. An example would be a member of the Ku Klux Klan, who espouse the superiority of the white race.

A bigot is a blinkered, narrow-minded person, usually also very intolerant and unable to see anyone else's point of view. People can be bigoted about things that have nothing to do with race, for example, religion or sexual orientation. A prime example would be Archie Bunker from the old television sitcom "All in the Family."

So what do you call someone that isn't racist but goes to a certain country to work, and after being there some time despises all the natives of that country? He doesn't hate them because he feels superior, but because in his opinion they are loathsome people.

BTW I am NOT talking about Thailand here.

[Jingthing]

A

We should probably be talking about bigotry instead of racism.

I'm in. Let's complicate this semantic minefield even further!

An interesting comparison here from wiki answers

A racist is someone who believes in the superiority of one race over another, or who acts differently (usually negatively) towards a person or a group of people because of their race. An example would be a member of the Ku Klux Klan, who espouse the superiority of the white race.

A bigot is a blinkered, narrow-minded person, usually also very intolerant and unable to see anyone else's point of view. People can be bigoted about things that have nothing to do with race, for example, religion or sexual orientation. A prime example would be Archie Bunker from the old television sitcom "All in the Family."

So what do you call someone that isn't racist but goes to a certain country to work, and after being there some time despises all the natives of that country? He doesn't hate them because he feels superior, but because in his opinion they are loathsome people.

A realist? Just kidding. I don't agree with the wiki answers thing anyway.

[thaibeachlovers]

Are we racist if we laughed at what the American sheriff in "The Man With the Golden Gun" said about Thais?

I'm not repeating it here for obvious reasons, but I was surprised to see it still included when the film was screened on Thai tv.