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It has been a little while now that this fledgling community has been around and it remains one of my favorite stories about communities. A splinter of a much larger community took it upon themselves to challenge the rest and make a move to a new home. Shedding the shackles that were being placed on them was a bold move, but one that has been fantastic.
The community here is great, but here is my question. Overall, we are amazingly tolerant of others, of the choices they make, and of their beliefs. I would then be curious, if we are such a tolerant group, how do we address intolerance in our ranks? I recently came across what I can only say filled me with pity and sadness. I find it saddening that in this day and age, and especially in this group, there are still such hate-filled people.
But this poses a question: how does a group that is tolerant deal with intolerance within it's ranks? Does our acceptance of others extend to accepting someone that has thoughts and beliefs which are far from the norm within this community, or is there a limit placed on how far from our own values a member of the community may be?
(Score: 2) by Angry Jesus on Monday April 14 2014, @12:01AM
> Why then do you think he wrote something racist?
I have no opinion on what he wrote because I haven't read it and I am particularly interested because he has no power.
> No; you simply cannot give preference to the stranger.
That philosophy is so ridiculously nonsensical - demonstrated failure of fitness for the position is a disqualifer, full stop.
> OK. But notice that black racism is accepted by the society
Sure, because when you are racist but you don't have the power to systemically apply that racism, nobody gives a shit. The key here is POWER. Whenever you talk about bigotry, you must consider the balance of power. If you don't consider power, then you're just playing word games and not looking at how the racism affects real people.
(Score: 1) by tftp on Monday April 14 2014, @12:13AM
because when you are racist but you don't have the power to systemically apply that racism, nobody gives a shit
I strongly disagree here. Racism is a state of mind, and an afflicted person is dangerous. A single racist will beat you up in the street because you are wearing wrong color of skin. A group of racists will kill you and dispose of the body. A team of racists in power can start a World War.
As an analogy, you probably wouldn't be OK with a 20 y/o man who loves to talk about walking into his old school and shooting everyone inside. You wouldn't say "Nah, he has no gun, it's safe." Why then do you say "Nah, he is a racist, and he would oppress another race, but it's OK because he can't do it right now."
In that vein, what makes you think that EF has no power? I, personally, have no clue who he is. What if he is a mayor of some city, or a Police Chief, for example? Even being a shift supervisor at a poultry plant is enough to practice racism. I'd say all of us have enough power to be dangerous to others if we want to.
(Score: 2) by Angry Jesus on Monday April 14 2014, @12:14AM
> I strongly disagree here. Racism is a state of mind, and an afflicted person is dangerous.
Your entire point is based on ascribing power to individuals that they generally do not have. When they clearly have some power, then we can cross that bridge.