“Ok, who’s next?” I ask my coworker Susan.
“John. The guy over there in a red collared shirt, with blue jeans.” Susan responds.
“There are several men with a red collared shirt and blue jeans…”
“Well, he’s wearing a nice watch too.” She bites her lip, obviously uncomfortable.
“Ok, that narrows things down to two people. Who the heck are you talking about?” I ask, becoming annoyed.
“Well… the one with the shorter hair.”
“Oh you mean the BLACK guy? Why didn’t you just say that in the first place? He’s the only black guy here!” I fume and approach John to invite him into my office. Time wasted for John and time wasted for me, just because my coworker was afraid to mention his race. But was she right to do that? Or wrong?
I think she was wrong.
EVERYTHING is racist these days. Pointing out someones skin color is racist. Stereotypes are racist, not matter what. Ignorance of any kind is racist. Even liking someone because of their skin color is racist. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD?
Labeling someone or something as racist is a HUGE DEAL, with serious negative connotations. It can really hurt someone’s image and should be used cautiously and sparingly. Screaming that someone is a racist for their ignorance or assumptions is wrong. Yet our society likes to label everything and throws the word around without a thought as to how they might be affecting people.
rac·ism [rey-siz-uh
m]
noun
1.
a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule others.2.
a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.3.
hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
What is NOT racism?
SKIN COLOR DESCRIPTIONS.
“John, the black guy over there.” This is not a racist way of referring to someone. But everyone seems to think it is and avoid mentioning someone’s color at all cost. But this is the most logical way of pointing someone out in a crowd full of white people, is it not? It’s the most logical. Yet people hesitate on this and do everything in their power to describe someone without mentioning their color. It’s crazy.
In my opinion, attempting color blindness is racist. Don’t pretend you don’t recognize or understand an attribute about someone, especially when it plays a large part in who they are. Most white people (unless they’re adopted into another racial category) have roots in white society and are thus going to identify with white society. Most black people (unless adopted into another racial category) have roots in black society and are thus going to identify with black society. There are always exceptions within every group of people, but making assumptions about attributes of a given race/culture is not wrong. It’s just ignorant. Which leads me to my next category…
IGNORANCE
Ignorance is NOT racist. Sure, it can be closely attributed to racism and often blurs the lines between bigotry and stupidity. But a lack of knowledge or understanding is not inherently racist. It’s purely naivety.
While I was traveling Japan, I regularly shocked and impressed my Japanese acquaintances because I could use chopsticks expertly and I LOVED sushi. But everyone I met had the impression that Americans had no clue how to use chopsticks and that Americans hated sushi. At first their shock was cute, but after a while it wore on me and I get pretty tired of people saying, “WHAT??? You like Sushi??? But you’re white!?!?” I could have easily started saying, “Don’t make so many assumptions about white people, you racist Japanese jerks!!” But I understood where they came from. Most Americans know NOTHING about Japanese culture, can’t handle chopsticks, and the idea of eating raw meat terrifies them (which is becoming less the case in recent years, but that’s not the point).
Yes, it is ignorant and sometimes embarrassing to run across someone who knows nothing about a particular racial/ethnic group, especially if they buy into the most stereotypical stereotypes. But is it really their fault? Are we supposed to teach ourselves the nuances of every culture in the world? That can be almost impossible when one comes form a homogeneous society. Yes, it’s a good idea to educate oneself as often as possible—but not everyone can/will do that. And we, the more “educated” and “understanding” should be loving and kind to those who just “don’t get it.” Instead of judging and hating them for their apparent stupidity.
STEREOTYPES
There are stereotypes that are racist. But not every stereotype is racist. It goes along with ignorance. Buying into stereotypes is sometimes the only information one has ever gathered about a certain racial/cultural group. Sure, stereotypes may prominently display one’s ignorance and possible stupidity, but they do not necessarily infer hatred/dislike/or disgust with someone of another race.
“All black people are good at basketball” or “All Asians are good at math” is not a hateful stereotype that puts one group above another. It just shows ignorance.
“All white Americans are loud and self important” is a stereotype I came across quite often in Japan. This is when stereotypes become hurtful and thus, racist. Being noisy got us dirty looks quite often. But a lot of Americans are this way, so I don’t blame them for making that assumption. I’m pretty quiet and wouldn’t claim self-importance, so the stereotype doesn’t apply to me, but that doesn’t mean people didn’t avoid me because of it. It wasn’t fair.
IN CONCLUSION
Labeling someone a racist can be a very hurtful and damaging thing and should thus be a label we use sparingly and carefully.
Just because someone points out what color your skin is, doesn’t mean they hate you or want you to feel like you’re not part of the “in” group. They might just be pointing out an obvious fact for logical convenience. Don’t hate and label someone because of their ignorance about your culture/race or because they buy into stereotypes about you. Yes, you’re allowed to be frustrated or annoyed, but don’t let that take over you and your perception of someone else or their race/culture group! These people may have never had any contact with any other culture but their own! Don’t think yourself better just because you understand something that they don’t. You might be able to learn something from them about yourself, that is just as embarrassingly ignorant.
It’s our job to meet people where they are, teach them to understand the beautiful diversity that God has placed in this world, and LOVE THEM FOR WHO THEY ARE.
REVEL-ATIONS 
I think we should not have partiality with others. Striving to live in peace other than destruction begins with humbling oneself. Humbling oneself by not judging others by their looks.