Does prejudice define a person?

[Maki]

I didn't know where to put this...but basically I was studying for my English exam and Prejudice/Discrimination is one of the main themes of the entire course.

As I was making notes, I was writing about Portia (from The Merchant of Venice) and how she is so witty, selfless, kind, etc (even other characters call her 'saintly' and 'God given') but she is ultimately racist and therefore immediately rejects Prince Morocco who is black.

I wrote:


• Prejudice/Discrimination
Portia reveals that she is ultimately racist against black people, despite her witty and selfless character. This proves that prejudice is very irrelevant to

..And then I stopped when I realized I didn't know what it was proving.

This got me wondering...do you think prejudices are entirely separate from who we are/characters in general? I kinda dont wanna screw up my understanding


TBH I have no idea how to study for an English exam fuck

[J_L_K_64]

i've always thought that prejudices were part of a person's character, it doesn't define them, but rather is part of them, and i say part because prejudices can be changed.

[wrath]

Prejudices can be changed. I have to admit growing up I was raised to almost fear black people. But then I went to a predominately black high school and became friends with many black folks and hell, I haven't dated a white girl now seriously since 2007. But yeah, it definitely is part of one's character and I cannot stand racists to be honest.

My biological dad on my ex that I had for four years: (Warning, potentially offensive)

I always thought it was my daughters I'd have to worry about dating niggers


I moved out of his house the same day he said that to me and haven't talked to him since.

[Maki]

Okay, thank you :) I guess that makes sense. IMO, I think it mostly depends on the severity of how they act on it?

---------- Post added at 07:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:36 PM ----------


Prejudices can be changed. I have to admit growing up I was raised to almost fear black people. But then I went to a predominately black high school and became friends with many black folks and hell, I haven't dated a white girl now seriously since 2007. But yeah, it definitely is part of one's character and I cannot stand racists to be honest.

My biological dad on my ex that I had for four years: (Warning, potentially offensive)

I always thought it was my daughters I'd have to worry about dating niggers


I moved out of his house the same day he said that to me and haven't talked to him since.

So do you think prejudices are a flaw within the self?



edit

� Prejudice/Discrimination
Portia reveals that she is ultimately racist against black people, despite her witty and selfless character. Her ignorance regarding black people prove to be her tragic flaw.

[Daenery]

I don't think prejudices define a person - I think it is their experiences as a person that defines their prejudices.

Perhaps they've never been fortunate enough to know any better, or perhaps their upbringing renders them incapable of being open minded. A racist isn't necessarily stupid and perhaps can even still be as kind or courteous as Portia supposedly is - but even the most educated of people can still be ignorant and judgmental of other people and other cultures. What of Portia's surroundings? Are the same people who call her saintly and god-given also racist or unfamiliar with foreign customs/people? I can't be sure as I've never read the book, but considering and interpreting that might help you make your point.

[J_L_K_64]

well i'm a simple man with mostly simple thoughts, one of those thoughts is that every single person on the planet is racist, to an extent.

that being said, not everyone acts on those prejudices, most ignore them, lie to themselves saying they're not there, etc etc but the way i see things, everyone is prejudiced to a degree/racist to a degree (i know they are 2 different things, but i'm using them interchangeably just for my ramblings)

[wrath]

I don't think prejudices define a person - I think it is their experiences as a person that defines their prejudices.

Perhaps they've never been fortunate enough to know any better, or perhaps their upbringing renders them incapable of being open minded. A racist isn't necessarily stupid and perhaps can even still be as kind or courteous as Portia supposedly is - but even the most educated of people can still be ignorant and judgmental of other people and other cultures. What of Portia's surroundings? Are the same people who call her saintly and god-given also racist or unfamiliar with foreign customs/people? I can't be sure as I've never read the book, but considering and interpreting that might help you make your point.

I'm intrigued by your view on this. I mean that sounds reasonable enough, but would you also agree that there are racists who are racists just because they can be? I mean, I've seen a lot of hate-based actions in school and the outside world that just make me cringe. And you look at these people and there's no good reason in my opinion. Experiences or not.

I totally get your view though. My step-dad's mom comes to mind. She's a sweet good ol' gal from a small town here in hicksville, Iowa, and she's not openly racist, but behind closed doors she still discriminates, just not to the extent that the type of people I'm talking about take it.. i.e derogatory words, signs, ideas, thoughts, etc.

Mint So do you think prejudices are a flaw within the self?
I think mine specifically was a nurture issue. My mom grew up in the 70's and went to a predominately black school as well, but things aren't the same as they are now. She had bad experiences and educated and told me about them, and that's just the way it was. I had to have my own experiences to change my opinion. Now I just look back and think it's funny how ignorant and misinformed I was.

[Maki]

J_L_K_64

So basically, like, the people who dont act on it/lie to themselves are more 'good' than someone who acts on it, right?
(I mean...well, yeah- at this point though, I think I'm just coming up with more rhetorical/obvious questions as I feel that some part of this is common sense lol)

---------- Post added at 07:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:48 PM ----------


I'm intrigued by your view on this. I mean that sounds reasonable enough, but would you also agree that there are racists who are racists just because they can be? I mean, I've seen a lot of hate-based actions in school and the outside world that just make me cringe. And you look at these people and there's no good reason in my opinion. Experiences or not.

I totally get your view though. My step-dad's mom comes to mind. She's a sweet good ol' gal from a small town here in hicksville, Iowa, and she's not openly racist, but behind closed doors she still discriminates, just not to the extent that the type of people I'm talking about take it.. i.e derogatory words, signs, ideas, thoughts, etc.

Mint So do you think prejudices are a flaw within the self?
I think mine specifically was a nurture issue. My mom grew up in the 70's and went to a predominately black school as well, but things aren't the same as they are now. She had bad experiences and educated and told me about them, and that's just the way it was. I had to have my own experiences to change my opinion. Now I just look back and think it's funny how ignorant and misinformed I was.

Okay, so like Lorn said, the experiences/surroundings give birth to prejudiced people.
& Yes, Lorrie, this is in the Elizabethan times, so everyone is very prejudiced :P

[wrath]

J_L_K_64

So basically, like, the people who dont act on it/lie to themselves are more 'good' than someone who acts on it, right?
(I mean...well, yeah- at this point though, I think I'm just coming up with more rhetorical/obvious questions as I feel that some part of this is common sense lol)

Personally I respect someone more who is a closet-racist than a public racist. I don't know if that makes them a better person or not.

I feel like when someone is publicly racist they are expressing their opinion. And when someone expresses their opinion to me, I generally feel the need to express my opinion. And since I am pretty passionate, it gets heated fairly quickly. -_-

[J_L_K_64]

@J_L_K_64 ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

So basically, like, the people who dont act on it/lie to themselves are more 'good' than someone who acts on it, right?
(I mean...well, yeah- at this point though, I think I'm just coming up with more rhetorical/obvious questions as I feel that some part of this is common sense lol)

"good" and "bad" are just words, "right" "wrong" words, just words, the way i see things is how you affect the people around you, physically and emotionally

personally, i like it when people are not racist, but that's never gunna realistically happen, everyone is different and have their own points of view/morals so i don't hope for a whole hell of a lot anymore

[Daenery]

I'm intrigued by your view on this. I mean that sounds reasonable enough, but would you also agree that there are racists who are racists just because they can be? I mean, I've seen a lot of hate-based actions in school and the outside world that just make me cringe. And you look at these people and there's no good reason in my opinion. Experiences or not.

I totally get your view though. My step-dad's mom comes to mind. She's a sweet good ol' gal from a small town here in hicksville, Iowa, and she's not openly racist, but behind closed doors she still discriminates, just not to the extent that the type of people I'm talking about take it.. i.e derogatory words, signs, ideas, thoughts, etc.

There are hate based actions that occur between people of all races and religions, and there are plenty of hate crimes that occur between people of the same race, too. Some people are just less empathic and more prone to act on their anger than others. When it comes to racially motivated hate crimes it all still boils down to a lack of understanding of other cultures and what they have to offer, imo.

Something I once read on tumblr regarding the word sonder:


n. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own�populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness�an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you�ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk.

If someone grows up with an outside view of a people and their customs, all they'll ever see will be the stereotypes and not the lives and people. That isn't their fault - but what is their fault is if they recognize the shortcomings of their surroundings and still refuse to make an effort to learn or assume that there's nothing to learn. There's ignorance, and then there's willful ignorance. Willful ignorance is where the flaw lies.

[Umbreon]

I don't think it defines a person, per say.
It's just a trait, or a form of opinion.

It's like saying atheism defines a person, or being a Christian defines a person.
In my eyes, I don't care what you believe in, if you're cool, you're cool.

Though it also depends on who is judging said person.
Coming from a atheist, I don't care what you believe in. It doesn't define how good of a friend you're capable of being, as long as you still treat me like a person.
Then again, many people look down upon me for believing as such, and may treat me differently.
But at the same time, I have many many many religious friends who still treat me the same. As well as my family.

So if you're a fairly open-minded person, being racist or prejudice wouldn't define a person. It's just another opinion that they have.
I wouldn't describe myself as "that one girl that hates religion". If someone were to describe me, that trait probably wouldn't even cross their mind.
My mother is prejudice. She literally wouldn't let me go to a school because it was mostly black people, and lied about our address to keep me in a different school.
But she's still a nice lady. And if I were to describe her to someone, I'd say she's the epitome of a southern woman maybe, a mother, a provider, a lady with crazy curly poodle hair, etc.

So yeah ~ my take on the subject.
If it even makes any sense.

Unless they go all Adolf Hitler on a group of said people, then it's a little bit of a problem.

[Jolz]

Mint

Prejudice doesn't define a person but their level can control that person.

Everyone is prejudice in regards to something but depending on how strongly you believe in said thing, that may cause an action.

However, working with that. If you are prejudice enough that it brings an action.. lets say a hate crime for example.

If a white shot a black or black shot a white and they did it though being prejudice against one another they would be defined as a racist (and a fucking moron)


So prejudice can cause a definition but can't be one itself.... just my opinion