Is a person a racist for reacting?

Community Leader
Registered: 09-14-1997
Is a person a racist for reacting?
11
Wed, 03-19-2008 - 12:11pm

Is a person a racist for reacting in anger to racism?


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 03-19-2008 - 12:18pm
I don't think so,

 


 


I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure

Community Leader
Registered: 09-14-1997
Wed, 03-19-2008 - 12:35pm

Was that what Pastor Wright was doing?


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2008
Wed, 03-19-2008 - 12:44pm

I don't think so.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 03-19-2008 - 12:58pm

 


 


I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2005
Wed, 03-19-2008 - 3:46pm

I have gotten the same response with my "overreaction" to sexism by my own daughters. They cannot imagine that I grew up during a time when women were regularly told "You can't because you are a girl."


I have tried very hard to teach my children tolerance, equality and love. I was not raised that way.


I do understand Wright's anger as an older black man who has experienced racism in vile ways.


But I have experienced sexism in vile ways. Yes, it has made me angry and bitter at times, but I have tried to react with intelligence and compassion. It is not always easy.


However, I don't believe angry divisive rhetoric is the way to cure racism. It only creates more racists.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 03-19-2008 - 3:56pm
But when I've talked to women that were spat on for taking "a man's job" or manhandled for daring to want to make a living, I can understand their bitterness. (heck, my own sister once got fired because the bosses wife thought she was too pretty and he had a history of affairs).

 


 


I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2005
Wed, 03-19-2008 - 4:06pm

Yes, I do agree. I understand the anger and bitterness, but leaders need to lead us all out of anger and violence, not back into it.


Fifteen years ago, I was denied a promotion because I was pregnant. I filed a discrimination complaint within my company, and I won. I got the promotion and the man that had previously been promoted in my place was demoted back down to our original level. The workplace environment was never the same for me.


That is just one of many encounters I had with sexism. Yes, it makes one bitter and angry, but you have to let it go.


Particularly as a Christian, Wright should be able to turn to Jesus for healing with his anger.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 03-19-2008 - 4:58pm

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I think

 


 


I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2008
Wed, 03-19-2008 - 5:35pm
I believe that letting it go and learning from it is the key to alot of things that thwart us be it racism, sexism or a flat tire first thing in the morning.
Community Leader
Registered: 09-14-1997
Wed, 03-19-2008 - 8:37pm
Glad you liked the question. I liked your response.

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