Principia Discordia

Principia Discordia => Aneristic Illusions => Topic started by: nobodyhome on January 13, 2017, 02:34:35 AM

Title: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: nobodyhome on January 13, 2017, 02:34:35 AM
Or is proving that one is not something a fools game that someone like me with OCD is drawn in to?
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: The Good Reverend Roger on January 13, 2017, 02:43:26 AM
Quote from: xerosaburu on January 13, 2017, 02:34:35 AM
Or is proving that one is not something a fools game that someone like me with OCD is drawn in to?

By not doing or saying racist things.  It's just that simple.

You can't prove it by arguing.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Salty on January 13, 2017, 03:12:21 AM
I find listening more than I speak goes a long way.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Q. G. Pennyworth on January 13, 2017, 03:14:05 AM
By caring more about the negative effects of racism than whether someone calls you racist.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Salty on January 13, 2017, 03:17:50 AM
But really, you can't.

It's sort of like nuclear fall out, you don't just get a pass just because you feel bad.

We live in a society built on bones and blood. Its sort of like when those kayakers got made fun of for protesting an oil company while using petroleum products. There is no other alternative.

Black, Asians, the multitude of others are all capable of engaging in, and incapable of escaping racism. Just like white people. It's just that, through massive apathy and an unwillingness to acknowledge this inherent facet of our society, it's hard to admit that we're all racist as fuck.

Just because you don't want to exterminate people doesn't mean you're not racist.

You can always strive to not be a piece of shit though, as we all must.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 03:39:21 AM
Everybody's racist. You grow up in a racist society, you pick up shitty racist ideas even if you are trying not to. Even if you're black. Yeah, that's right; black people in the US are racist against other black people, and against themselves. It's called internalized racism, and it's pretty fucked up. So the one thing we can all do is realize that we all have fucked-up racist ideas and reactions that we don't even consciously know we have, because when you KNOW, you can try to stop. And the very best way to do that is to pay attention to what the people who are affected the most by racism are saying about it.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: LMNO on January 13, 2017, 01:23:58 PM
It seems the question itself is an indicator against.

Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Rev Thwack on January 13, 2017, 03:25:45 PM
Wait, are we really asking for sound logical proof of a negative, or can we just go with an answer like "sweet, romantic intercourse with members of all other ethnic groups and races"?

I mean, it would at least be an enjoyable way of proving you're not a racist.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 04:29:45 PM
I didn't know there was a magical force-field that prevents racist people's genitals from contacting the genitals of people of different races. Huh.

I guess all that slave owner rape never happened... what a relief for history, huh?
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: LMNO on January 13, 2017, 04:32:50 PM
The question implies there's a state of being one can have where there is no bias, stereotyping, tribalism, or othering.

I question the truth value of that implication.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Faust on January 13, 2017, 05:11:56 PM
A power point presentation is a good way to show people your cultural sensitivity, see the father Ted episode for reference

(http://cynicgal.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/not-a-racist.jpeg)

This sounds like you've put your foot in it with some comment, if so just do the right thing and apologise and move on with your life. It happened to me a few months back at a party when I asked one of the people I was chatting to what part of Asia they were from... That turned out to be Brazil, so as I said you can apologise or move on and forget about it, or you can do what I did: Never show my face in public again, being sure to flagellate once a night while shouting "stupid, stupid, stupid".
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Eater of Clowns on January 13, 2017, 05:26:59 PM
Quote from: Faust on January 13, 2017, 05:11:56 PM
A power point presentation is a good way to show people your cultural sensitivity, see the father Ted episode for reference

(http://cynicgal.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/not-a-racist.jpeg)

This sounds like you've put your foot in it with some comment, if so just do the right thing and apologise and move on with your life. It happened to me a few months back at a party when I asked one of the people I was chatting to what part of Asia they were from... That turned out to be Brazil, so as I said you can apologise or move on and forget about it, or you can do what I did: Never show my face in public again, being sure to flagellate once a night while shouting "stupid, stupid, stupid".

:lulz:

Sorry Faust, but that's pretty hilariously cringey. I hope they were gentle about it.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 05:50:52 PM
Quote from: Faust on January 13, 2017, 05:11:56 PM
A power point presentation is a good way to show people your cultural sensitivity, see the father Ted episode for reference

(http://cynicgal.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/not-a-racist.jpeg)

This sounds like you've put your foot in it with some comment, if so just do the right thing and apologise and move on with your life. It happened to me a few months back at a party when I asked one of the people I was chatting to what part of Asia they were from... That turned out to be Brazil, so as I said you can apologise or move on and forget about it, or you can do what I did: Never show my face in public again, being sure to flagellate once a night while shouting "stupid, stupid, stupid".

To be fair, the native occupants of Brazil are Asiatic. Even I can't always tell whether someone is Asian or Native without asking.

But this also gives me a great idea... I'm going to start asking white people what part of Europe they're from. This is going to be hilarious!
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 05:53:39 PM
Quote from: LMNO on January 13, 2017, 04:32:50 PM
The question implies there's a state of being one can have where there is no bias, stereotyping, tribalism, or othering.

I question the truth value of that implication.

I would say that the truth value is nonexistent.

I would also, as QG so aptly implied, wonder about the priorities of someone who is mostly interested in not looking racist.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 05:55:07 PM
I also gotta ask, WTF does OCD have to do with it?
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: LMNO on January 13, 2017, 06:22:21 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 05:50:52 PM
But this also gives me a great idea... I'm going to start asking white people what part of Europe they're from. This is going to be hilarious!

This would be a fantastic stand-alone instagram account or tumblr page.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Cain on January 13, 2017, 06:25:07 PM
I just add, "speaking as a non-racist" at the end of all my sentences.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: LMNO on January 13, 2017, 07:21:50 PM
Quote from: Cain on January 13, 2017, 06:25:07 PM
I just add, "speaking as a non-racist" at the end of all my sentences.

:golfclap:
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 08:10:53 PM
Quote from: LMNO on January 13, 2017, 06:22:21 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 05:50:52 PM
But this also gives me a great idea... I'm going to start asking white people what part of Europe they're from. This is going to be hilarious!

This would be a fantastic stand-alone instagram account or tumblr page.

Hmmmm...
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 08:11:18 PM
Quote from: Cain on January 13, 2017, 06:25:07 PM
I just add, "speaking as a non-racist" at the end of all my sentences.

:lulz: It was super-effective!
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Q. G. Pennyworth on January 13, 2017, 08:31:56 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 08:10:53 PM
Quote from: LMNO on January 13, 2017, 06:22:21 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 05:50:52 PM
But this also gives me a great idea... I'm going to start asking white people what part of Europe they're from. This is going to be hilarious!

This would be a fantastic stand-alone instagram account or tumblr page.

Hmmmm...

For maximum effectiveness, I think you would have to phrase it as "Where are you from?" and then when they answer some American city "No, no, where are you really from?"
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 09:03:20 PM
Quote from: Q. G. Pennyworth on January 13, 2017, 08:31:56 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 08:10:53 PM
Quote from: LMNO on January 13, 2017, 06:22:21 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 05:50:52 PM
But this also gives me a great idea... I'm going to start asking white people what part of Europe they're from. This is going to be hilarious!

This would be a fantastic stand-alone instagram account or tumblr page.

Hmmmm...

For maximum effectiveness, I think you would have to phrase it as "Where are you from?" and then when they answer some American city "No, no, where are you really from?"

I was thinking about phrasing it the way I get asked most often: "So, what tribe of European are you?"
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: LMNO on January 13, 2017, 09:08:36 PM
Now I really want to do that genetic ancestry test, so I can get really specific when someone asks where I'm from.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Cain on January 13, 2017, 09:09:00 PM
My great-great-great-great-great grandfather was a shield bearer for a Lombard chieftan, and I myself am 1/16th Lombard.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 09:32:24 PM
Quote from: Cain on January 13, 2017, 09:09:00 PM
My great-great-great-great-great grandfather was a shield bearer for a Lombard chieftan, and I myself am 1/16th Lombard.

:lol:
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 09:33:17 PM
Quote from: LMNO on January 13, 2017, 09:08:36 PM
Now I really want to do that genetic ancestry test, so I can get really specific when someone asks where I'm from.

You can get really stunningly specific with Western Europe, but much less so with ancestry from pretty much everywhere else in the world.

It's kind of a bummer, really, but it's just based on sample availability.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: LMNO on January 13, 2017, 10:26:49 PM
Considering I'm FANTASTICALY Caucasian, I should be able to get it to writhing a few meters.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Ziegejunge on January 13, 2017, 10:51:53 PM
Synchronistically, my uncle was asking me yesterday about our mtDNA haplogroup, so this morning I drafted him an email on the topic. During the course of writing said email, I learned quite a bit, generally speaking, about my roots.

I doubt my "tribe" would ever deign to claim me, but it's still kind of fun to ponder the evidence of one's origins.

With regard to the OP, there have already been plenty of good responses and I don't have much else to add besides "Who is asking you to positively prove that you are not a racist?" Rhetorical; I feel like that says a lot more about them, the querent, than it necessarily says about you.

But I tend to agree that the best answer to the question is not provided with words.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 10:56:15 PM
Quote from: LMNO on January 13, 2017, 10:26:49 PM
Considering I'm FANTASTICALY Caucasian, I should be able to get it to writhing a few meters.

:eek: Tell autocorrect I said thank you for that stunning mental image.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Bu🤠ns on January 14, 2017, 01:19:56 AM
to answer the question what /is/ racism i think something like often unexamined thoughts and behaviors that either explicitly or implicitly imply the superiority of one race over another. So if you're trying to prove to yourself that you're not, I'd begin with some personal examination and reflection.  If you're trying to prove to someone else, I'd first need to understand the context to even begin to deal with it.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: The Good Reverend Roger on January 14, 2017, 01:33:17 AM
Quote from: LMNO on January 13, 2017, 09:08:36 PM
Now I really want to do that genetic ancestry test, so I can get really specific when someone asks where I'm from.

I always wonder who actually owns that company.

But I don't look, because I feel I would be let down.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Rev Thwack on January 14, 2017, 03:33:37 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 04:29:45 PM
I didn't know there was a magical force-field that prevents racist people's genitals from contacting the genitals of people of different races. Huh.

I guess all that slave owner rape never happened... what a relief for history, huh?

"sweet, romantic intercourse" != rape
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2017, 03:36:51 PM
Quote from: Rev Thwack on January 14, 2017, 03:33:37 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 04:29:45 PM
I didn't know there was a magical force-field that prevents racist people's genitals from contacting the genitals of people of different races. Huh.

I guess all that slave owner rape never happened... what a relief for history, huh?

"sweet, romantic intercourse" != rape

It also != proof of an absence of racism.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2017, 03:37:59 PM
Did someone put out a beacon call for the most banal PDers of times past?
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Rev Thwack on January 14, 2017, 04:01:57 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2017, 03:36:51 PM
Quote from: Rev Thwack on January 14, 2017, 03:33:37 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 04:29:45 PM
I didn't know there was a magical force-field that prevents racist people's genitals from contacting the genitals of people of different races. Huh.

I guess all that slave owner rape never happened... what a relief for history, huh?

"sweet, romantic intercourse" != rape

It also != proof of an absence of racism.

Apparently you completely missed what I was saying in some desperate search to argue against me, but that's ok, I've gotten used to you being a pseudo intellectual with a poor sense of humor. Cheers!
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2017, 05:27:22 PM
Quote from: Rev Thwack on January 14, 2017, 04:01:57 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2017, 03:36:51 PM
Quote from: Rev Thwack on January 14, 2017, 03:33:37 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 13, 2017, 04:29:45 PM
I didn't know there was a magical force-field that prevents racist people's genitals from contacting the genitals of people of different races. Huh.

I guess all that slave owner rape never happened... what a relief for history, huh?

"sweet, romantic intercourse" != rape

It also != proof of an absence of racism.

Apparently you completely missed what I was saying in some desperate search to argue against me, but that's ok, I've gotten used to you being a pseudo intellectual with a poor sense of humor. Cheers!

:lulz: I don't even know who you are. What, have you been stalking me or something?
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2017, 05:28:01 PM
And what you said was that having sex with people of different races is a way to prove you aren't racist, which is just stupid. But I'm getting the impression that that's how you roll.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Rev Thwack on January 15, 2017, 06:15:04 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2017, 05:28:01 PM
And what you said was that having sex with people of different races is a way to prove you aren't racist, which is just stupid. But I'm getting the impression that that's how you roll.

Or, you could always look back and see that I didn't say that, but whatever. I guess it's easier for you to just follow on in your blind and inaccurate assertions. Not the first time you've decided to go that path.
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 15, 2017, 07:52:52 PM
Quote from: Rev Thwack on January 15, 2017, 06:15:04 PM
Quote from: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 14, 2017, 05:28:01 PM
And what you said was that having sex with people of different races is a way to prove you aren't racist, which is just stupid. But I'm getting the impression that that's how you roll.

Or, you could always look back and see that I didn't say that, but whatever. I guess it's easier for you to just follow on in your blind and inaccurate assertions. Not the first time you've decided to go that path.

I see that you are butthurt about something. Would you like to talk about it?
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: East Coast Hustle on January 16, 2017, 07:18:53 AM
Quote from: Rev Thwack on January 13, 2017, 03:25:45 PM
Wait, are we really asking for sound logical proof of a negative, or can we just go with an answer like "sweet, romantic intercourse with members of all other ethnic groups and races"?

I mean, it would at least be an enjoyable way of proving you're not a racist.

Quote from: Rev Thwack on January 15, 2017, 06:15:04 PM
Or, you could always look back and see that I didn't say that, but whatever. I guess it's easier for you to just follow on in your blind and inaccurate assertions. Not the first time you've decided to go that path.

:lulz:
Title: Re: How does one go about "positively" proving one is "not" a racist?
Post by: Mesozoic Mister Nigel on January 16, 2017, 05:54:37 PM
I don't get the impression that reality is his strong point.