What is racism

[lakeg]

After being called a racist yesterday, i really want to know what makes a racist comment.

really?

Why were you called a racist?

What they said ^^

I think legally it means showing less favourable treatment on grounds of colour, race, or ethnic or national origins. What did you say?

Definition as below - but as per another thread a few days ago, racism is not saying something like 'mixed race babies are pretty' etc etc .

The word 'racist' is frequently used way out of context.

racism
ˈreɪsɪz(ə)m/
noun
noun: racism

prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.

    the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.

Can we have a conversation without understanding what i said. I think the racist card is pulled out when people do not want to discuss real problems.

You haven't explained what was said. Difficult to discuss as to why someone is questioning your comment without context.

Racist is discriminating against a persons skin colour or ethnicity also saying pulling the race card is racist.

It used to be "a person who shows or feels discrimination or prejudice against people of other races, or who believes that a particular race is superior to another." but now it is ant comment related to race, mentioning a race in any way, even with kind words, or if you prefer a comment you couldn't have said to a white person, so from commenting on how beautiful afro hair are or asking if they are difficult to comb or saying you did;t know a dark skin could tan.

Thi

'the racist card' is it?
Well we cant comment until we know what you said.

I am not bothered that I was called a racist. I think we are not having discussions on topics because we are worried that we will be called racist.

Why don't you want to say what you said? Is it because it was racist?

Oops hit post by mistake

This, at least, according to some discussions you see on MN

The fact that you are unwilling to share what you said before being called a racist makes me think that your comment was likely very offensive.

What 'real problems' were you discussing?

So what did you say ?

This is AIBU. Just say why you were called a racist and ask if that was unreasonable. If you want to define racism this isn't really the place.

to be honest KingIrving, if a white person was (quote) " commenting on how beautiful afro hair are or asking if they are difficult to comb or saying you did;t know a dark skin could tan. " this could be offensive.

I'd be bothered at being called a racist if I wasn't.

Asking if afro hair is difficult to comb or saying you didn't know dark skiing could tan are not even remotely racist! What a stupid thing to say @KingIrving

Given that you refer to the 'racism card' I can see very easily why someone would call you one.
It's a statistical fact that hate crime is in fact grossly underreported so I don't think this card is played proportionately to the very real lived experience of those who have suffered.
And a remark which has its underlying premises in racism is still racist, not withstanding that you may not think you're being racist. Think of it as a sliding scale - seemingly innocuous remarks such as non-white people constantly being asked where they're 'from' fit somewhere along the continuum.

Literally laughing out loud at the thought of 'your afro is beautiful' being offensive to anyone!

Active, visible, outright racism: calling people names, making them feel threatened, joining groups which harass minorities, spreading fake scare stories or stereotypes, discriminating against people.

Low-level, quiet, persistant racism:

• not giving a shit about what people might find offensive, even when it's explained exactly why that word/phrase/visual is upsetting (usually due to historical context);
• pretending there's a massively complicated system of acceptable vs unacceptable language and you can't keep up, when actually you just don't give a shit;
• minimizing the issues of racism by saying stuff about 'the racist card', snowflakes, professionally offended, the PC brigade;
• saying stuff like 'well, if Kanye can say the n word, I don't see why it's banned for me' and 'I have a friend who calls herself a Paki, she doesn't have any problem with it'
• refusing to see how historical and current power imbalances affect the language we use and how we respond, and pretending it's all just words and that nobody should be upset by anything short of having their house burned down

The fact that you've used the term "racist card" very strongly suggests you were indeed being racist.

so....anyway...what DID you say that made someone 'play the racist card'?

Op, are you referring to the gross generalisation you made about a community on the Telford thread? You were called out on it.