You would be hard pressed to find a more consistent issue routinely discussed in the media today than that of racism.
Clearly, there are a lot of combative issues at even the mention of the topic. This is because so many people have collectively had a hard time concretely defining “racism” for what it means and most importantly, what it doesn’t.
Donald Trump recently surfaced in the media once again, for saying something completely erroneous and offensive about minorities. He called all Mexicans “drug dealers,” and even accused them of being regular rapists and murderers.
If you asked Trump for his side of the story, not only does he primarily refuse to apologize, but he makes it clear that he can say these things because he “loves” everyone, including Mexicans.
Is it racist to suggest an entire race of people fall under the same demographic? Or does racism dominantly fall under the category of oppressive action such as the slave trade?
It’s important to consider how one views racism and all it implies when taking into account other people’s actions. Perhaps, and this is only a theory, it’s possible for someone to be ignorant to their statements and not have an ounce of hate in their heart.
That’s another factor that’s often placed in regard to the term racism: intention.
When someone like Donald Trump makes a blanket statement on Mexican citizens, is it racism so long as he isn’t coming from a place of hatred?
How does one begin to measure disdain versus blind, ignorant perception? Therein lies the ultimate roadblock when discussing race in this country. Nobody can figure out whether motive or basic understanding should have a factor in deciding whether someone can qualify as racist.
The dictionary defines racism as, “The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.”
With that definition in mind, it would be difficult to defend the statements of Mr. Trump. He’s stated his personal belief that Mexicans have three defining characteristics: They sell drugs, they rape, and they kill. But then there’s the second part of the definition, which implies intent.
“Especially, so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.” The question becomes: Was Trump making an attempt to distinguish Mexicans as an inferior race because of their so-called shared attributes?
It’s hard to tell what goes on inside any particular person’s mind, much less Donald Trump.
Ultimately, what it comes down to isn’t what secrets an individual possess about the reason he or she made about a particular race when speaking generally.
Instead, we should consider whether we should stop boxing people in all together.
If you say all Mexicans are murderers, it may automatically be assumed to be a racist statement. But if you make a casual remark that all Asians are poor drivers, it appears to be a grey area in some circles. But aren’t they using the same template to make a statement?
Maybe we’d all be better off without trying to define racism as a whole, and just start saying nicer things instead.
But in my humble opinion, I guess Donald trump is not really racist but a very smart business man who knows that if he wants to win the presidential election, he needs first to brand himself as the toughest candidate who will put back the USA on the right track and that begins with a few well-thought marketing scenes with buzz power to prepare the ground…. for the real fight…
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