Why is "racist" such a hurtful insult?

When things are quiet in here you can always rely on some racist barbs or "you are a racist" barbs to get the joint hopping.

I think everyone has some degree of racism in them. Whether it be a simple stand-offishness towards someone who looks a little different, to outright distain for the views of another race or religion.

In this place racism and racist accusations get trotted out way too often, but I am the last to suggest that we censor such chat. It, afterall, does makes this place hum.

My personal opinion is that race means nothing. I have worked and played (cricket) with races of all walks and colours. I have generally found all varieties of the racial rainbow reasonable and personable people, and in the main, great folk. Particularly if the common love is cricket. I have many friends and colleagues of cricket-playing national heritage.

Since 911, the major problem in Aus has been the isolationist attitude of Muslims. Again I know many Muslims and they are generally gentle, kind and harmless souls. But it is the radical minority of this walk of life that seems hell bent on stirring up "racial" hatred in my and many other countries. We forever see reports of police clashes with violent muslim youths here in Aus. We have also seen, recently, a surge in the unfortunate (and sometimes coincidental) violent activity towards a particular race of people.

99.99% of the population does not condone such behaviour but the 0.01% is enough to convince many from the affected nation to think that a whole nation fits the stereotype. This is complete nonsense and deeply offensive to the vast majority of fair-minded people.

So this is my small and insignificant attempt to put racism v radical religious minority/idiotic minority racist hoon behaviour into perspective.

Today is Ausralia Day. I wish all my fellow Australians (as well as all others looking in), from whichever race or religion, a peaceful, enjoyable and fun day.

Over to you, bucks.

You topped yourself because it's Australia Day?!

Honestly speaking I like to think I've got that whole its' black, it's white, it's WB yeaaah thing sorted out. Although being English I can't help but sometimes snear at other cultures & societies - you don't mean to and you know it's wrong but it's hard to get out of your collective national genetic memory. Then I remember we're the country that begat Jeremy Clarkson and I realise that we're all in the same sea of appauling c*ntedness.

I have to say though that being a snearing Guardian reading liberal I do put everyone with strong religious convictions in the special nutty draw.

Eric Air Emu wrote:

I have to say though that being a snearing Grauniad reading liberal I do put everyone with strong religious convictions myself in the special nutty draw.

Fixed.
Jeremy Clarkson Rules.

To answer the question- I think it implies not being sophisticated enough to realise the complexities of human race and being motivated by hatred, ignorance and insecurity. Of course the term is bandied around too freely- there's a big difference between say Nick Griffin and some well lubricated un-pc Aussie cricket fans.

And of course even if only on an instinctive rather than intellectual level we're all a tiny bit racist.

Merlin wrote:

Eric Air Emu wrote:

I have to say though that being a snearing Grauniad reading liberal I do put everyone with strong religious convictions myself in the special nutty draw.

Fixed.
Jeremy Clarkson Rules.

And hence I despair.

Okay ..okay ...
Jeremy Clarkson doesn't rule.
But the Boy David soon will be!

Eric Air Emu wrote:

I have to say though that being a snearing Guardian reading liberal I do put everyone with strong religious convictions in the special nutty draw.

But that has nothing to do with race, so quite why skully lumped it in with his post is a mystery.

Eric Air Emu wrote:

Merlin wrote:

Eric Air Emu wrote:

I have to say though that being a snearing Grauniad reading liberal I do put everyone with strong religious convictions myself in the special nutty draw.

Fixed.
Jeremy Clarkson Rules.

And hence I despair.

I quite like Jezza. Since he became a father, the crashing boorishness and arrogance of his youth is just his TV schtik. IMO. He can be quite humble at times. He has made some really thoughtful docus, such as the one about Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Can we really be driven by racism when there is no such thing as race? Xenophobia is a natural urge toward protection of the community, but it's offset against xenophilia . . the desire to fark people from outside the community . . . understand these natural forces and we're half way to overcoming them . . . here endeth the lesson

Dello wrote:

Eric Air Emu wrote:

I have to say though that being a snearing Guardian reading liberal I do put everyone with strong religious convictions in the special nutty draw.

But that has nothing to do with race, so quite why skully lumped it in with his post is a mystery.

Merely because a handful of roobs in my community mix the two up. One nationality or race in particular in Aus is very strident in their religious beliefs and it has been the cause of some conflict in the past.

And no, I'm not talking about Banindians.

tac wrote:Can we really be driven by racism when there is no such thing as race? Xenophobia is a natural urge toward protection of the community, but it's offset against xenophilia . . the desire to fark people from outside the community . . . understand these natural forces and we're half way to overcoming them . . . here endeth the lesson

Prolly a fair call, ol' bean.

skully . . . . my xenophilia has always been much stronger than my xenophobia . . . especially with hot young japnese and korea chicks . . . . thank god!!!!

'Why is "racist" such a hurtful insult?'

Because when it's first used in an argument, it's usually the last resort of someone for whom intellect and rational argument have failed. And once that card has been played, it opens a whole new dimension of argument.

Zat wrote:'Why is "racist" such a hurtful insult?'

Because when it's first used in an argument, it's usually the last resort of someone for whom intellect and rational argument have failed. And once that card has been played, it opens a whole new dimension of argument.

Like AD playing his Nazi card . . .

Unless they are racist of course.

My fav Hitler . . .

Nah. John O'Neil's reaction to Britain beating Australia in the Olympics was best.

ummm . . .. yeah . . . . whatever

Jeez, four countries band together and scrape ast one nation with around a third of the population. Summat to be proud of.

Of course. Let's face it, if it wasn't for sport, no-one would know Australia was even there. It's the only reason the world notices you - and then you lost to us!