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215087 Responseshttp://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/04/how-am-i-not-a-racist/How+am+I+not+a+racist%3F2010-04-20+01%3A14%3A45Sam+Richards to How am I not a racist?
There is a fine line, yes, but hopefully you are acknowledging some other things. Without knowing you or the people you visited in developing countries, it might be safe to guess you have more social and human capital on top of actual fiscal wealth. With these forms of wealth comes more power. Also, you said that you'd be more likely to affect the world in a greater way. More likely, yes. And we in the US have much larger carbon footprints than people in developing countries. So, in comparison to people in developing countries, you have more power to better AND pollute than they do. This doesn't make you better, or a racist, it but it does makes you more resonsible for what happens on this planet in the larger scheme of things.
Yes I think there is a fine line but most of us will be considered "racist" in the end. Being a citizen of the United States, it is hard not to feel somewhat superior to others. I will admit that, yes, I do think I am better than some people. It is hard not to when we are the richest, most powerful country in the world. With the resources available to us and our laws, of course we are better off than some people. It is not my fault that I am better off than other people in other nations. I can feel like I am better off without parading around and making others feel inferior. There are people better than me and there are people worse than me, it is just how you portray it.
I agree with you thought that everyone has a little bit of racism in them. I know I do and even people who claim they don’t are full of crap. Stereotypes are the simplest form of racism and there is no doubt ever one acknowledges stereotypes. I like your openness to admit you think you are better than some people because I think subconsciously we are all superior to other people whether we want to admit it or not. I know I also openly admit I believe I am superior to some people, not in a bragging way, but it a muffled subtle way that I really only feel.
I agree with you as well because I have witnessed so many people being racist at times, and I cant lie that I have been racist at times as well. I feel that when people are really racist it is so disrespectful. I also agree about the openess to admitting about being superior. I agree in some ways i am superior to some people but I dont go around acting like it or telling people I am. I feel that people have this inner feeling of being superior to people and never admitting to it.
I agree as well. We are a powerful country and we do have many more resources and opportunities that help us to become successful in the society that we live in today. And your right, its hard not to feel a little superior to other people, but does that really mean we are racists? I mean I would say its more ethnocentric than racist to be honest. I mean as long as we care about other countries and we don't try to take them over completely and make slaves out of the people, I don't see why we should necessarily label our selves as racist. Its crazy to think that because we are to the point where our standard of living is much higher than some of those developing countries and we have a sense of security about that fact and we feel lucky to be able to have freedom of speech and all sorts of other things that we are discriminating other countries and other peoples because of race. I am thankful everyday that I was born in to America and realize how lucky I am to be here. I think that as long as we are thankful and don't hurt or feel more rightful to certain things than people of other countries we are not racist, we are human.
This is a very very hard topic to deal with. When speaking about this question the first thing that I would look at is the term “racist”. It is defined as the belief that a person’s race solely determines their traits and characteristics and therefore racial differences produce superiority and inferiority. After visiting those third world countries you said that you came back feeling as you had a much better chance to succeed than these people and you have a greater chance to affect the world. To me those feelings seem completely natural. After seeing how these countries are and how the citizens live through a daily struggle it is perfectly normal to relate this to your life and see just how lucky we actually are. We simply live in completely different circumstances than these people and this is nobodys fault. We were born here and given an amazing opportunity to do good for this world. This is completely unrelated and is in no way being a racist. Just because there are less fortunate countries than the one we live in does not mean everyone living in our country is a racist. Yet if instead you visited maybe a developed country in Europe such as France or Spain and interacted and learned how colored citizens of these countries lived and still came back with these feelings it could be seen as racist. The key difference that I see in the two is that the citizens of the third world country do not nearly have the resources or oppurtunities that we do to affect this world. Therefore you feel as if you are superior to these people simply because of their living circumstances and not their race. Yet if you visited a country such as France and came back feeling as if the colored people there simply could not succeed as much as you could and are inferior to you, that would be seen as racist. So to answer your question I think there is a big difference in your feelings when you returned and seeing those feelings as racist.
The subject of racism is very very touchy and hard for people to discuss. Is there anyone in the world who sees no race? Is there someone who complete sees the world on an even scale? To be honest I don’t see that as possible. It is human nature to see differences in people. Whether you are ignorant and see the differences in race and feel as if this is a determinant of traits and characteristics. Yet, if you see differences in people simply for who they are than I do not see that as racist. With that being said, this class is teaching me very much on how I can better see the world evenly.
i agree that everyone has some form of racism in them but i think we as the united states should be. after all we are the most powerful and richest country in the world. but i think by being in this position we need to reach out to the countries we are better than to lend a hand when they are i need. it is not our fault that we are better than those people it is just the way it happened but i believe that it does not have to be like that because we can help them out and show them the way and try to give them a better life.
First off I would like to say it is very noble of you to even think this way. It shows that this course is actually doing something for you. Although, I think that you are still in the ‘guilt’ stage and haven’t really realized the bigger picture. While I am no expert by any standard, I think that you’ve brought up an interesting concept. If you realize that you are better off than people in poorer countries and fell that you have more power than them are you actually ‘better’ than them? I wonder. I think that these statements are actually two very separate things. On the one hand you have recognized the sad part of reality- yes you will always be better off than those people in third world countries, in terms of money, resources, and possibly success in your home land; but I don’t think this makes you racist, I think it makes you a realist. One the other hand you said that by thinking this way it means you realize you have the potential to do more, and by feeling you are better than someone aren’t you on the fine line of being racist? I think the answer is no. I think that being ‘worth more as a person’ isn’t comparable to ‘affecting the world in a greater way’. Yes, we do have the necessary power, money and resources here in America to do great things for other people and make peace for the world, etc. but this doesn’t mean you see yourself, necessarily, as better than other people. This simply means you, as an American, have better resources than other people. I don’t think this makes you better, smarter, or worth more than a slave in Africa or a poor Iranian woman. Just because you have more, and you realize that, doesn’t make you racist. It’s unfair to make that jump. I think it is very bold and honest of you to think that this jump seems logical but I disagree- please give yourself more credit. The world sort of sucks in the way that some countries do have a lot less than us, but that doesn’t mean since we have more we are naturally racist.
I think that there is a big difference between thinking you are better than someone in a developing country and thinking your race is superior. Obviously if you are a student in America you are much better off than a poor individual in a developing country. You have food, water, clothing and several other needed supplies to survive while these other people in developing countries may not. So between people in developing countries and people in countries that are developed, there is an automatic line drawn. This line is not a line drawn according to race but it is based on development.
On the other hand, when someone thinks that his or her country is more developed based on the color of the citizens skin color or race, then the line needs to be drawn because of racism. To play the race card and think that one race can control a country better than another is crossing the line. No one can say that there is one superior race that can run a developed country better than another race can. This would be stepping into the racism portion of the question.
Now to answer the question that was presented, I think that there was nothing wrong with the way that this guy thought after visiting some underdeveloped countries. He came from America, so again; obviously he is going to be better off than someone who is living in these underdeveloped countries. He is more likely to go to school and get a job. His future is based on how America is set up and since America is a developed country he is going to have more opportunities to better his life. It’s just the facts of life really; it is not based on race at all. By saying that he thinks he has more of a chance to make a difference in the world is probably correct. He is not looking at the color of his skin or comparing the color of his skin to others while he is saying this. It is just a simple feeling of realizing you are much better off than these other people. It is just more of a realization then a comment about race.
I can say for myself, I have never visited an underdeveloped country, but I can guess that I would have much of the same reaction. Not based on race, just based on the actuality of America being more developed than his or her own country is. This is a natural feeling and should not be deemed as a racist comment. The line should be drawn when the comment comes down to the color of skin or the place of people of color in society.
I agree with you when you claim that there is a difference in thinking that you are better than someone in a developing country than thinking your race is superior because quite frankly it’s a complete individual idea and not necessarily everyone thinks like this. Like I previously said in another post, sometimes you subconsciously believe you are superior to people living in third world countries and you don’t even recognize it. I believe that thinking your race is superior is much worse because of the implications it has here in the United States and the potential feathers you could ruffle on American soil.
Agreed. It is a fine line, but just because you–by chance–have better opportunities than someone who also–by chance–was born in a developing nation doesn't mean you are better than them, nor does it mean you are racist. I mean… you might be racist given your particular views about other people or the way you act in correspondence to those ideals, but just because your opportunities are better or worse than someone else's does not mean you are racist in the slightest. Unless you have some chip on your shoulder about it.
I do think however, if you choose to be ignorant to what you have seen in those nations or choose not to subject yourself to the realities of the way other people are forced to live because of their country or their society is a waste. Obviously though, that is your choice and my personal opinion. I think we have been given the chance to take a true look at the privileges we really have as we have grown up in America (Most of us anyway) and the opportunities we have been given to make change–for better or for worse. You said that you feel because we are Americans we might have a greater impact on the world and this may be true in many cases, but for the better is a relative statement. Recently in my Demography class we learned that American babies born have a 30 times worst impact on the environment throughout their life time than a person living in a developing nation. In this way, we impact the world negatively, and I can relate, even when I try not to be wasteful (which regrettably I know I am very unsuccessful) I still find myself forgetting to recycle or driving unnecessary places.
I think your statement however was directed toward more of a humanitarian aspect rather than that of an environmental one, but still–there are positives and negatives in every society. Sure as an average individual, we can probably seek out to do more than most individuals in developing nations–the sheer fact that we are in college puts us among the top 2% of the elite world (last I checked), but there are definitely those who rise above adversity and make huge impacts on their nations and the world. As far as racism goes, I don't know where the line is drawn, I don't think anyone can truly say they don't have prejudices. If it isn't against people of color, it may be against whites, some people have prejudice thoughts against people who are too heavy, or too skinny, and if they aren't prejudice against these people we may be prejudice against ignorance… which I find I have a problem with. I cannot stand it when people are ignorant, but then perhaps they have not had the same opportunities that I have had to learn about what they do not know. I think one of the biggest things about this course is that we learn that there is so much we don't know… that we don't even know what we don't know. So maybe I myself am being ignorant to that fact.
It is a fine line. It is everywhere. Opportunity does not make you racist, though. Discriminating against someone for their background or skin color does. Thinking you are better than someone? Because of money, looks, class, gender? I don't know if that makes anyone racist. I think that just makes you insecure. Haven't you had thoughts that you are better than your brother or your sister? Best friend? Stranger? I think that we have all had these thoughts at some point or another. I am not saying it is good, or it is right, or it is okay… but I think it is human nature and I think it has a lot more do to with self esteem rather than who the other person is. As far as opportunities go–I don't think we should waste the opportunities and privileges we have been given, use them for something–preferably something good. I might be way off mark here, but like I said before, it's your choice, and this is just my personal opinion.
Coming from the wealthiest nation in the world, it is easy to simply blow off third world and developing countries and their problems. I admit that many times I do this and don’t really think twice about the issues facing these third world countries. Yet now that this video post has come up I have thought a little differently about why I don’t think about these third world countries and the issues they face. I know it’s a combination of many things. Maybe I subconsciously feel as if I am superior to the citizens in these third world countries. Maybe I feel as if a 19 year old college student in State College, PA can’t really make a difference that can truly affect people hundreds of miles away. Or maybe it’s the fact that I simply don’t care because their situation and issues don’t directly affect me. I don’t consider myself racist, but yet again who does. I truly believed that I am so removed from third world country issues that I really don’t know how to react to them because I truly do believe I really can’t do much to truly affect the outcome. I never really thought of thinking of myself as superior to people living in third world and developing countries until this post. I guess you can’t compare a person from the U.S. and a person living in let’s say Ethiopia because the lifestyle, customs, and culture is so distinctly different. What I’m trying to get at is that people in Ethiopia might consider themselves superior to Americans, not in the fact of possessions, but in the idea of more enriched in their cultures. People living in Ethiopia might think that internal awareness of culture is more important than material goods. Obviously they defiantly need more materials goods to live, but Americans might consider themselves superior to those citizens of third world countries because we simply posses more tangible objects. I believe that there is a very broad line regarding the difference between people who are racist and people who consider themselves superior to people of third world countries. People, who are racist, completely consciously degrade other human beings because of their skin color. People who feel as if they are superior to others in third world countries might do so in a subconscious way. Like I’ve previously stated this wall post has opened my eyes regarding people in third world countries. I never really thought of myself being superior to them, but I guess I subconsciously do. And it’s not even that I feel superior to them, it’s as if I really don’t even recognize people actually live in these countries as weird as that might sound. When people raise money for 3rd world countries, now that I think of it, I really don’t even realize that money is going to help people who live in those countries.
I do think it is racist to believe that you are better than another race. However, I do not think it is racist to see how a population of people of a certain race lives, and acknowledge that you and people of your race live higher quality lives in the United States. It is important to just recognize not EVERYONE of that race lives like that. For example, a race that lives in a third world nation, can also exist here in the United States. Knowing and being aware of how other people are living, and believing that you have the power to make a difference—big or small is great and empowering. I really do not see it as being racist.
I don’t think there is a fine line between being racist or not, just as there is no true fine line about race. You may act one way in a certain situation that deals with race, and act differently in another and not even realize it. Like Sam has said, it is a political issue. However, if you think you are better than someone else because of your skin tone, then yea, I would probably say you are prejudice. On the other hand, if you feel you are better than someone because you have more wealth or are more privileged, then I probably say that it is not based on the color of your skin.
That is an interesting question because when I approached this video I thought it was going to be someone who has made an obviously racist comment and needed to know if it was really that bad. This comment, that you could help people in a developing country better than someone that lives in that area, I believe is not a racist comment. I think if you reword it and say I can do a better job because I am better than those people, it might because of the reasons you would say that. It might be because you have more money and can afford the necessary things to help them. Or is it because you see yourself with higher power then they have? Those are two separate questions and I think the reason you say you could do better determines if you are close to the racism boundary. Also I think in your situation where you have visited this country and actually have seen the country and its problems, it gives you a reason to think how you can help. Now I have only been thinking from the side of an U.S citizen but if I think about how I would feel if you said that to me and I was a person living in that country, I believe it might be a different story. If you said that to someone in the country they might think that you believe that they do not have any power to help their own country. They could feel that you think you are better than them not because you can help but possibly because you come from a developed country, the United States. This fine line of being racist and having an opinion is very hard to follow in our society. I feel like I find myself watching what I say about certain people because if I do not complement or agree with their views it could be seen as being racist. Or as you have come by, helping people could be taken as being racist because being racist sometimes includes thinking you are better than them. Once I found myself talking to one of my colored friends and it was so hard to find words that will not come off as racist. I was never trying to be racist but because I was watching my words I felt like I might say something wrong. A lot of things can be taken racism so it is hard to watch everything you say. Some people are going to take what you said racist but some will not. I do not know how this boundary of being racist and not will resolve or if it will ever be less sensitive but I guess we need to watch what we say around certain people.
I don’t think that being racist and saying that you have more potential in this society then someone in an underdeveloped country is the same thing. To be racist is to say that you just do not like a certain group because of who they are and what they believe in and what they look like etc. To say that having more potential to be successful in our society then someone who lives in an underdeveloped country relates more to resources and opportunities. Just because I am fortunate enough to come from the United States and I live in a country that has money and more opportunities then other third world countries does not mean I am racist. That does not mean that I think I’m any more of a human being then that group. Maybe there are certain people who could be racist against people from third world countries but that is not the same as just thinking that I may have more opportunities then people from other third world countries. It is unfortunate though that we have to generalize like this and just assume that all these people living in these countries have no hope. For example, that woman in a blog from earlier this semester who was from a third world country but who was a genius when it came to finances and business may have had more of an opportunity to succeed had she come from the United States. I personally think that because she comes from a country with poor resources and poor opportunities means that she won’t be as successful in comparison to if she was from the United States where she maybe would have more of a successful life. But I’m not a racist person. I have nothing against any ethnicity or culture. I’m not racist against this woman just because I think that she would be more successful if she lived in a country where her knowledge and intelligence would be useful. To be racist is attributed more to personal differences between people while not having potential in our society is related more to situational differences. If it is just related to the situation of where you come from that makes the difference between two people’s lives, that does not mean your racist. In addition, I think to be racist would mean you have to actually verbally say that you dislike or hate a culture, group, or ethnicity. I do not think that anyone actually would say I hate people in third world countries because they come from a poor place that does not offer them opportunities. If people were to say that then yes I would say they are racist. But just to say that I am different from someone in a third world country because I am offered more opportunities does not mean I think I am more of a person then any of them.
You are not a racist, first of all. This is the exact idea of ethnocentrism; the idea that you are better than another. However, this issue has nothing to do with race. You are better off not because you are white, but because you are an American. You do not live in a developing world. You have not been affected by something so dramatic that you will constantly be crawling out of a hole or jumping hurdles. You were born more privileged than another and the fact that you are white, and they are black, is purely coincidence. Be thankful that you have the opportunity to help yourself and others.
This is a really interesting question. I agree with the earlier posts that everyone has at least a little bit of racism in them. Even the most open minded people cannot know as much about the life and struggles of other races as much as they do of their own. This is not intentional racism or hatred of other race, which is a common connotation of racism; it is just a part of life. A person can dedicate their life to getting to know another race but in my opinion if you are not living it firsthand you can never get the full experience; you will always be getting the translated version from experience to words. This inexperience and lack of knowledge will lead to gaps in the information that will be filled in and often come back out as racism.
I decided to comment on this because it is very similar to the thoughts I was having in class today when Sam’s old TA was telling us about his trip to Haiti. I am not saying that it is racism. I don’t really know what it would be called but what you are talking about I would not day is racism. I would say it is more of ethnocentrism in that you are seeing your own culture as right and better than others. You are seeing that your country with all of these resources and money as the best way to accomplish things, and maybe it is, but maybe other countries don’t see it that way and they think that they will be able to accomplish more doing it their way. What I connected this to in class today was when the TA was telling us about all of the non-profit organizations and how what they were doing was the wrong way to do it. he explained his point and why he thought that he had a better way of doing things, but who is he to say what is right? To me it seemed as if he was putting down all of the efforts these organizations are making and saying all of their efforts are going in the wrong direction. When a girl in class said that there are organizations working from within and doing what he said was the right thing he found a flaw in that saying that they could not drill wells where they were. So if water should not be given to them because it doesn’t build their economy but they cannot create wells, then where is the water supposed to come from? It seemed as if no matter what anyone was doing it was not as good as what he was planning to do and that is exactly what he was saying all of the organizations were saying about one another.
I’m not trying to take away from what he is doing in Haiti, but I just think he should take a step back and see what he is saying before he points the finger at these organizations that are supposed to be on the same team as him.
I think this is a great topic to bring up. Like Sam always says, we live in America so we always think America must be the best country in the world. This is a very arrogant way of thinking but at the same time Sam also says the poorest 10% of Americans are still richer than 2/3 of the world. So how could you not think that you are lucky and more capable to help people? I always thought I was blessed and lucky but after Sam’s class it makes me realize how blessed and lucky I really am. So yes some arrogance comes with this. In America we are rich and we are well educated so I think there is some reason to why we think we are better equip to helping people. In counteraction to that though, after the Haiti lecture on Tuesday, as much as yes we do have money and education, sometimes we are not what people need. We can give free hand outs in trying to save the world but what people really need is to be able to do it themselves. If we were to go into other countries and build wells and water systems without explaining and teaching other of how they work, what happens when we leave and the system breaks? The issue I am now realizing is, yes I am blessed and lucky to be living in America and have the education I am having, but that does not make me any smarter in the world as people in third world countries. Even without education people have established amazing things. We may think we are the most capable to helping people in poorer countries but the truth is we may not be. These people may be able to use education but would teach them the same things we learn really even help them. I really do not feel I am better equip to help people in third world countries because to be honest with you I don’t understand all the hardships they have been through. I think the best people to help these people are themselves. Yes we could send teacher over to these countries to help them learn and establish a business and yes we could be free labor that they need when they need extra hands. But as far as I’m the best person and most capable of helping these people, I do not think that is true. I think yes I have the money for it and yes I have been educated in what I need to be educated to be successful in America, but as far as helping someone who I do not completely understand. No I do not think I am the most capable but I hope to try and be an extra hand in helping them establish a life for themselves.
I have to commend the speaker of this video for really thinking about this issue. I don't think you are being a racist by thinking that Americans have more resources to help people in third world nations, and by these resources Americans will make more of an impact. I don't think that I am better than people in Haiti. I just think I have been dealt a different hand of cards than them. Just because I am fortunate enough to be in a better economic situation that allows me to help others as much as I can does not make me think that I am better than these people. These thoughts go along with Sam's lecture of luck, free will, and determinism. It is by luck and other factors throughout history that America has become the superpower it is. If similar circumstances would have happened to Haiti and not to the US, perhaps it would be Haitians who are contemplating this idea. Since America is such a wealthy nation I feel like it is our duty, to a degree, that we help out people who seek or help or who are in dire need of it (such as Haiti after the earthquake). Just because you are a citizen of a country with resources to that enable its fellow citizens to help people in unfortunate situations, I would not feel like a racist. To me, the definition of a racist is someone who thinks they are better than someone else based on the color of their skin. I think having more access to resources and being able to ultize those resources is in no way thinking your better than someone. Typically, the more resources one has, the more power they hold. Since America has a lot of resources, our country has a lot of power. Now the battle over resources has gotten America in a lot of trouble over the years, but the fact of the matter is the more resources a country has the more of an impact their people can make. You are not looking down upon them. Their economic plight was just the cards they were dealt. We in America, for the most part, were dealt with very favorable cards, and I think it is, to a degree, somewhat of our duty to help those in need.
i think its personally okay to know that you are speaking within the lines racism, but if you know that surely that means that you are not a racist. I like to respect you to know that your in the line. It might appear to be racist that if some one were to say something like they are better suited to help a country then a least developing country but in reality it is not racism at all. People should be aware that racism is not always from the lines of stating a fact. If america is able to help a least foreign country then another country then it could be true. It not like the guy was saying yeah Americans are better than the rest of the world because we have more resources, better homes, better people, etc etc. but in reality that sense of pride did not come from the speaker. You should not worry because i believe you were aware of what you were saying, some people say things before they think and usually they end up insulting someone like as racist, political leaders who are interested in one race domination. America is given lots of opportunities and it is our duty as Americans to help those in need of our resources and developed country. I think we should be able to recognize that all the benefits that we American possesses should not be uses just on our country. there are other countries in need of our aid. An example is Haiti and american and other developed countries should help those who are in pain and suffering and have lack of resources to help themselves out. The definition of racism is judging someone of another skin, color, appearance by your own standards and stating your race is better then theres. In this case that america is one to help a less developed country is not a form of racism. America is here along with other developed countries to help and provide, whatever the cost may be.
I think there is definitely a difference in being a racist and feeling the way this student did while visiting these different countries. Living in America, or any developed countries for that matter, the citizens must feel some sense of superiority over third world countries. I myself feel as if I am privileged living in America, so I feel as if I am better than people living in third world counties. I do not consider this a racist idea though, I think it is more of a spoiled idea. Living in America we are exposed to so many things that people in third world countries will never even know about. So without sounding rude or inconsiderate to those people living in third world countries, I, like the student in the video, feel as if I am more important than those people.
Being from the most wealthy country in the world, it is hard not to think in the back of our minds that we are more likely to change the world than others. We have far more resources to draw from than people in developing countries. But thinking that you are more capable to change the world is different from thinking you are better overall than ther person. I think that I am better off than most everyone in developing countries at having the ability to change the world, but since I recognize that location and society have alot to do with it, I do not find myself to be better than them. I dunno, just my thought on that one.
Being from one of the most wealthy countries in the world, it is hard not to think in the back of our minds that we are more likely to change the world than others. We have far more resources to draw from than people in developing countries. But thinking that you are more capable to change the world is different from thinking you are better overall than ther person. I think that I am better off than most everyone in developing countries at having the ability to change the world, but since I recognize that location and society have alot to do with it, I do not find myself to be better than them. I dunno, just my thought on that one.
To me I think the answer to this is pretty black and white. I don’t see much room for debate here but maybe that is just me. I definitely do not think that the questioner or anyone who was thoughts like that is racist. Or at lease those particular thoughts are not racist. If the question you are asking yourself is “Do I have a better chance to impact the world in a positive?” then I do not see how that is racist. To me that seems like simply asking who is in a better position, not who is a better person. Of course the person from a developed country like the United States will have a better opportunity to change the world from someone in a developing country. The one person will have the financial ability and education to try to often make his wishes come true and use his natural talent. On the other hand the person from a 3rd world country will often not have the same opportunities. It seems like an honest assessment of the world and the differences we see. It is unfortunate that it is the case but it is certainly not racist to call it how it is. Personally, I think it is beneficial that we do recognize the discrepancies we see so that we can rectify them. If we keep our thoughts contained to ourselves for fear of retribution then we will not get anywhere.
If the kid asking the question had looked at these other people and thought “Sadly, I am a little better than these people” then that could be deemed as bigoted. But to me it seems that he was looking more at the positions of the individuals, not the individuals themselves. He was not saying that he was better than another person; rather he was saying that his upbringing happened to give him more opportunities to alter our world. This ties in what Sam has been harping on all year, particularly when he talks about the “king of the hill”. People such as me have been fortunate enough to be put into a situation where I can thrive and prosper. It doesn’t mean that I have earned or not earned it. I just happened to take advantage of the situation that I was given. While not everyone could have achieved what I have with my opportunity there are a multitude of people who could have done what I did or even raised the bar a little. They also do not need to be people like me, white Americans. It could have been a Hispanic kid from Brooklyn or a child from Mozambique. I just happened to be the one with the opportunity. I think as long as you look at it with that perspective and do not try to compare the actual individuals then you are really just calling it as it is, rather than being racist.
I think that he is definitely right in thinking that he could be racist. However, that is definitely not racist. The reason we think that we can have a greater impact is because in fact we can. It may sound mean but we are far better off than almost anyone else in this world. As Sam says multiple times in class, the poorest 10 percent of people in America are better off than two thirds of the rest of the world. That really hit home for me when he said it. We as people need to realize that as Americans, on top of the mountain, we need to stop looking down upon the hopeless and start making moves to help those less fortunate. There will be a time in your life when you think of what your purpose of being on this Earth is. Did you spend your time just doing meaningless tasks or did you actually make a difference. People need to start thinking.
America is a powerful country that carries a lot of weight in the global economy. Our standard of living is amongst the highest in the world, and, like Sam said, the POOREST of the poor people in America have it better than TWO-THIRDS of the world's peoples.
Obviously we're a fortunate country. And, logically, that also means that the people living in this country have more stake in the way the entire world is run than, say, a penniless slave in some third world country.
I don't think that this makes you, as a person, racist in any way to acknowledge that you live in a country with more power, and, therefore, can have a larger affect than someone else. You're not "greater" as a person, you just have a greater ability than others to do something and make a difference.
I really think deep down everyone in their own way is racist. There is probably one thing that we will say behind someones back or more so behind a groups back. And as hard it is to admit I am guilty of this. Deep down we all know that it is not right and if we can not say something to someones face then we should not say it at all. It is a hard topic to cover and I believe that we need to start thinking about our actions before acting upon them. One thing we can do is put ourselves in the other persons shoes and see how hurtful it must be.
Yea I do not think that if you feel like you can help other countries out more than their own people can that it is any type of racism. I mean many people probably think that of all colors from the United States. The fact is that we are a very powerful and wealthy country compared to others, so that we most likely can help them out more than there own people can. The United States is always sending aid and money to other countries, not because we are better than them, but just because we can help them more than they can help themselves, and need our help (sometimes). I think it is totally unrelated to racism and just about the power and wealth of the country you come from.
I don’t think that there is anything wrong with thinking that you have a better chance at changing things than the people in these developing countries have because of the simple fact that you as an American have more opportunities to do so. The resources that you have the ability to use are not available for people of these other countries. I don’t think that that is racist in any way, I simply feel that that is one of the advantages of living in the United States. Why do you think so many people from other countries want to come to America? It is the land of opportunity. So there ya go. Don’t worry about being racist.
This does seem like an idea that is a little bit racist. Its true you are kind of making yourself out to be a more valuable asset and person then people in these under developed countries. Yet I personally don’t think that just makes you out to be a racist person. What it actually is, is you recognizing the advantages you have been given by your upbringing, education, and financial stability. There are probably many people in those countries who are far more intelligent or capable than you or I its just they weren’t given the same opportunities in life that we were.
We are ALL racists in our own way. I think everybody thinks that only White people can be racist, but that is a misconception. I have overheard many conversations that if they had came out of a White person's mouth, there would be a riot, but since a person of color said it, it is alright because they are "sticking it to the White man". I think it is true that Americans have a better chance in making a significant change because of all the opportunities and abundant resources we posses. This is not racist to me, we are only taking advantage of the opportunities bestowed upon us!
That is an interesting question. There is definitely a fine line between what is and is not racist and ethnocentric. I can understand why the commentator can see a gray area. In third world and developing countries, many individuals from developed countries come to these locations to offer there aid. But does it mean that people say from the United States are better than individuals in third world countries? No. Just because somebody needs your help does not mean that they are better than you. It means that they are better off than you in that particular situation, not better than you. This is why some people become resentful of help. But just because someone is white, black, Asian, Indian or from the United States or a third world country mean that they are better than someone of another race or country.
Honestly after having listened to this, I personally think that maybe you’re worrying just a tad too much about what you thought. Firstly I’m going to say that I honestly agree with your first impulse. But I truly don’t think there’s anything racist about it, it’s really a pretty honest reading on the reality of the situation. When push comes to shove you, most likely, you’ve had a better education than most from any 3rd world nation; you likely have some money to spare, not to mention simple having the ability to easily move between countries. So to say that you think you have a better shot at making a difference isn’t a stretch at all. What’s important to recognize is that a lot of those benefits are a product of the country you live in and not an immutable characteristic.
I think at you stated it right there. The difference is really the mindset in which you reflect. You came back from those third world countries with the realization of your political and social position in the world. When you see that you have more power to effect change does not mean that you think you are better than anyone else or worth more than anyone else. You can find that difference in those third world countries as well as our own. Those that have their basic needs met and have extra time or money will always have more influence than those that do not.
This is a tough question to answer. Yes I understand where he is coming from but when remembering what Sam said about how where we live was all luck of the draw it helps me understand. I just believe that if you understand that you can make a difference doesnt mean you feel superior it means you were blessed with more than others.I believe it's what you do with these resources that makes you who you are. God intended people to help others, so what if you have more it just makes you able to help more people.
I'm not sure I agree with the fact that everyone has a little bit of racism in them like one of the comments said. I think that you think you can do more because you have more resources and perhaps time to do more. Does this really have to do with the race of someone or just the willpower that they possess? I think a lot of the reasons that certain people are able to help more is just because of the resources and place that they live in. Also although I hate to say this money is a huge factor. The more you have the more you can help. Maybe it is just that these people already have less money and resources than you so you have the advantage, not that it is a race issue.
First of all, I love your premise about it not having anything to do with anything. That said, I believe that you are correct in that you feel better equipped to change the world than someone in a third-world country. However, I think the reason is not in your control (your skin color and place of birth), so for someone to take that thought to assume that they are better than other people would be ridiculous. Unfortunately, I understand that there are idiots out there who believe in their racial superiority, or believe that since they live in a country such as the United States, that they are entitled to walk around with a chip on their shoulder.
You’re not racist as far as I can tell, unless you directly think it they cannot make a difference because these people are inherently inferior to you. There is a difference between racism and truth. Depending on the country you were in, you are right. There is a much better chance you will be able to make a difference in the world than they will. But that isn’t because you are white. You probably also have more of a chance to change the world than white people in Appalachia. It’s a matter of opportunities rather than race. Color has nothing to do with it, unless you think it does. Then you’re racist.
Well there are a number of ways to go about this. It almost makes me laugh a little. The boy in the clip seems intelligent and what he said was a little ignorant. Of course people in developing countries because they do not have the means to make something out of themselves or their life. I feel like that is kind of a no brainer. I do think that he worded it kind of weird. I do not know exactly what he meant by asking if he thinks he is racist.
I also do not think there needs to be any picking of one particular “side”. I think someone can make the statement he made and not be racist. I guess there could be a fine line about it but it is an odd subject to be honest. When someone asks you to pick a side it seems like you have to make a clear concise decision. Maybe some people have varied opinions. I know I do have gray feelings about this matter.
I do not think that it was necessarily racist because there are people of all colors that live in developing countries. Unless he meant just the black people he saw. I do not know much of what he did and the people he saw but I am sure he had a legitimate reason to say what he said. When people are talking about racism it brings tons of different ideas to one’s mind and what not. Racism is having negative feelings or dislike for someone or some people of a different race. What this boy is talking about, is not that at all. He thinks he will be able to better help the world. Which he is, if he went to a developing country and maybe did some work there with the population of struggling people. Like I said I do not know exactly what he did there but I do not think he went there for a vacation of anything of that sort. Hopefully he was there helping people. By just doing the help can make someone help further others in life.
He is most likely going to go further in life than people with no water or home. Unless by some miracle these countries get funding or miraculously get built back up to at least a meateocur standard then I do not think any of those people are going to get far in life. Most of them may die before they could even finish school. I believe I will go further in life and do more for the world than a person living in a developing country. I have an education and plan on becoming a psychologist, how many psychologists do you know in developing countries.
I agree with the fact that mostly everyone will be considered a racist sometime in their lives. Whether it is jokingly or serious, it is going to happen regardless if you are racist or not. Everyone in the United States already has an advantage over most of the countries in the world. We are one of the wealthiest countries in the world and have so many resources that are easily accessible to us. It is very easy for a citizen of the United States to brag about how lucky and fortunate we are but that gives us the bad reputation that we hate having. It is reasonable to accept that we are better off than other countries; we just don’t need to be so blunt about it.
I think this student makes a very good point. I think there is a very fine line between feeling better than someone else and feeling good about your well intended actions. Racism is basically thinking a person’s race makes them superior or inferior to others without any other characteristics factoring in. You basically think your race is the right race and all other races are wrong and worse off. I think feeling superior from helping a country isn’t the best way to feel, but I don’t believe it is racism. I do agree it is on the way to racism because if you feel superior for volunteering, then you might as well feel superior in other ways. I think if everyone had the money and spare time then everyone would choose to help others. Some people don’t have the necessary items to help, but it isn’t their fault just like their race. Should you feel superior to other countries just because you can help more than them? I don’t know if you should or not, but I am going to say you shouldn’t. I mean think about it, the countries that aren’t helping are third world countries that can’t afford or have the means to help other countries. Just because you have the time and money to spend helping out other countries doesn’t mean that you are better. If people from poorer countries had the means necessary to help other countries, then who is to say that they wouldn’t. If you feel superior to those people who cant help it that they cant volunteer, then you are on your way to feeling superior to those people who cant help what color their skin is. Born into money and a white family doesn’t make you any better than a colored person born into poverty because they are both things you cannot help. No one blames you for being born white because you didn’t have a choice. I do on the other hand think that it is ok to feel superior to people with same lifestyle as you because you use your wealth and spare time for good. What makes helping and volunteering such a good thing is the thought behind the action. The thought of wanting to spend spare time helping others is what makes something admirable. I think that the thought alone to help others makes you a good person, and the action just puts the cherry on top. You did a great thing but feeling better than others for doing it takes away from the good nature of your action. My philosophy is that there will always be someone who is better than you. There will always be someone who cares more, helps more, tries harder etc, so just do what you want to the best of your ability and don’t think about being better than others because you will never be the best.
This really is a tricky topic. As citizens of the US, we sometimes forget just how lucky we are to have the resources and opportunities that we are presented with every day. I know that, myself included, we take for granted so many liberties, rights, and resources. And I think you're right that traveling to a third-world country, or even one that's just not us can really serve as a wakeup call to highlight the inequalities in this world. That being said, I don't think there's anything wrong with acknowledging the fact that an American citizen will probably get further in life than say, someone in Haiti. It really comes back to the King of the Mountain analogy that Sam always uses. We have the resources, we have the opportunities. Be it by luck, by force, or by other factors, it's how to cards have been dealt. By no means do I think this is fair, but nothing ever is. I actually think it's a good thing for you to examine these differences because it really makes you see that the circumstances into which someone is born can have a very strong influence on how far they go in life. But to me, what keeps you from walking onto the racist side of the line is perspective. it's good to realize that because of your opportunities you're more likely to succeed, but make sure you step back and make sure you know that given your resources, someone from a country that isn't as fortunate as ours would have just as great, if not a greater chance of success. The thing to keep in mind is that it's not one's nationality that dictates success. It's the work ethic, combined with available opportunities and resources. It's a sad thing to have to think about, but I'm sure that there are so many brilliant minds out there that have dreams of peace, new inventions and innovations, and new energy ideas that will never get off the ground because they never got the chance. The mind to cure cancer could be somewhere in the middle of Haiti just struggling to survive. It's so crazy to think about, but there's so much potential out there that's never going to come to fruition. So the next time you see someone from a struggling country, think about that. Instead of looking at that person and thinking that there's no chance that they'd ever become anything successful, or that they're poor because they're lazy, open your mind to the global perspective. Consider the possibility that they're more innovative, determined, or driven than you, but the only reason why they're not the one in charge is because of the where they were born.
I think that this question is really a case of the answer “being in the eye of the beholder”. I don’t really think that here is a definitive and correct answer to this issue. I can completely understand both side of the argument though. I can understand how a person can go to another country and see people less fortunate than themselves and reflect of the fact that they have access to so many more resources. On the other hand, I would definitely be offended if I was one of those less fortunate persons. Its truly disheartening to realize that the world has become a place where your success is based of resources rather than talent or loyalty or morality.
Obviously if you think that you can do more to help people you should not be feeling bad about it unless of course you are actually doing nothing. I do think the worst thing to do is waste a gift and by having the gift of being able to help, inaction is the worst action. Personally with the Haiti topic, the only thing I really did was help raise money but then I think that is all I really could do. If I could have gone to Haiti and thought I would make a difference I probably would have but Haiti right now needs a miracle more than a body.
Great point Tom! The first part to this would be how you should value yourself. In my opinion everyone should feel that he or she is the most important person in the world. Now, just because you feel yourself important doesn’t mean that you feel others are unimportant, and certainly doesn’t make you racism. Again, this is just my opinion, but to be racist you have to have negative preconceptions about another individual or group of individuals based solely on race. So in summation, to think you are more valued than another does not make you racist since you are only valuing yourself and not devaluing others.
Being realistic for a moment, you make a valid point saying that you feel you have more of an advantage in giving or a better chance to achieve than others in worse off countries. I could not agree more. I do not feel this is racist either but rather a statement of how things currently stand in a realistic world. The fact of the matter is coming from America, we have many more opportunities to achieve or help out than other individuals in third world countries. It is not racist to say this, it is factual.
Back to the point of racism, I think people are too willing to designate an individual as racist. We, as people of a modern, educated world have to understand that not everyone is equal. As an American you were able to fly overseas to a third world country and donate your time and effort whereas individuals of third world countries cannot easily fly over here and help out. I do disagree with the point about the line not being broad about a person’s worth and being racist. Again, I feel to be racist one must look negatively upon another because of an individual’s or group of individual’s race. Worth is an entirely different story. Worth is the real net value of individual, measured by how much he or she can contribute to society. To no fault of an individual in a third world country, he or she really cannot contribute much to greater society, especially when he or she needs to work to provide for him or herself.
Overall the point I am trying to get across here is that thinking highly of yourself does not make you racist. Everyone should think well of themselves, but no one should think poorly of others due solely to race. People need to be careful when classifying someone as racist, as I feel that this term is being thrown around more and more often in society. In my opinion, being unjustly labeled as a racist is just as bad as being racist. I do not think it is about picking sides or anything of that sort. Again, and this is just my opinion, as long as the intention to not be racist is there then I would not consider a person or action racist.
It's a difficult question but i think it just depends on how you say it, people are so touchy with political correctness. Knowing that you are able to make a change and that other people are less capable doesn’t make you a racist. Obviously some people have certain advantages and tools that allow them to make a change. The real question is are you going to do something about the fact that you are capable of change or are you just going to sit their, acknowledge your capabilities, and then do nothing. That can make it seem a little more racist because now it is like you know you are more capable of something and you judge other people for not being as capable.
This is a very true statement. There is a very thin line between thinking that you are better than someone because you have a better chance of effecting the world, and being a person that is a racist. Of course being an American, it is easy to believe that you are a privileged group of people that are far more qualified then those that live in developing countries. The only problem with that thought, is that you are part of a PRIVILEGED group. You haven't necessarily done anything to belong there and it is by pure luck that you ended up in the position you are now. If you were born in a third world country such as Haiti, Somalia, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam etc… you wouldn't be such a priveleged person anymore. Because you don't have the opportunities that the average American has, you obviously won't be able to effect the world like the average american can. It has nothing to do with you, it is much more about the position you were born in.
Sam has stated a couple times in class that the bottom 10% of Americans, live in better conditions than two-thirds (or 4 billion) people throughout the world. We as Americans have to realize that we know almost nothing about real poverty. We see ghettos in New York, Washington DC, and Baltimore, but do we really understand what it means to be poor? for the most part i would think that we are pretty naive to the things that go on outside the United States.
So we have to realize that a person born into a third world country. No matter the race, he could be white, black, latino, asian, it doesnt matter. That person has a much smaller chance of being sucessful when compared to someone born in the United States. Not because he is any less of a human being, but more because he was born into conditions that really restricted the things that he could accomplish in his life. It just so happens that white people reached "the top of the mountain" first, and they have made it so other white people can prosper easier. So every third world country is made of people that look like minorities to the average American. When Americans see these people living in third world countries and they know that they will almost certainly end up more sucesful then them, it is pretty hard not to be racist. But that American has to realize that if he/she was born in those same conditions their chances of being sucessful would be much less than they are as an American. If there was a majority white country that was considered a third world country, i think Americans would realize that anyone can be born into poverty, and it isn't that they are any less of a human than we are, it is just chance that they were born there and we were born here
There is definitely a very thin line between thinking that you have a better chance than someone else of making a change, and affecting the world, and being a racist. Living here in the States, and then visiting the developing countries, you can easily believe that the people here are better, or more special, or more worthy, or however you want to put it. The only thing is that, no intentions of making anyone feel guilty etc, a lot of us didn't really do anything to "deserve" to be here and enjoying all the privileges while there are a lot of people in those developing countries who are a lot more deserving, whether they are smarter, whether they are more hardworking etc. So, therefore, since we do live here and enjoy a better life than a lot of people there do, it is our responsibility to make that positive change, to affect the world in a positive way. In a perfect world, who knows where all of us will be? Maybe the people there would be in our places, maybe not. But since it is not a perfect world, and things are the way they are, it's true that those countries have a lesser chance of making a positive, "green" change to the world, but that is because they really can't do much. But we can, and that is why I think that we should all be responsible and work towards that.
I feel like many people, including myself, are afraid to admit how they truly feel about this matter. People can say 'we're all equal, we're all just people.' But secretly we may think to ourselves how much more superior we are to others, and take hidden pride in that. On New year's eve of this past year, I ended up in a horrible situation, surrounded by people in a ghetto. With weapons in their pockets, and arms pulling me in various directions, I began screaming, more to myself, 'you're just people, you're just people,' over and over again. While these words were echoing throughout the neighborhood, inside I was thinking, this would never happen in my town, in my college town, in racial territory that of my own. That's racism. Although these people had complete control over what was going to happen to me that night, I still had an internal feeling of superiority. I’m better than you. I tried convincing myself that they were people, just like myself. But the more I said it, the more I felt it wasn't true, and the more they were insulted. I hope I never end up in a situation like that again, and I realize how lucky I am to have escaped scar-free. Physically at least.
As for people around the world, I know they are in dire need of help, and I would love to do anything I could to help them. Thinking about people all over the world, I don't consider myself bigger, better, wiser, prettier. However, I have also never been face-to-face with these people. And to be honest, I don't know how I would feel if I was. On new years eve, I was being attacked, and that led to my feeling of superiority. Now I have feelings of fear, and don't have any interest in returning there. But as far as people who are just simply desperate for my help, I would be disgusted with myself if I ever considered myself 'better.' I most definitely realize how lucky I am compared to most of the world though.
Ever since I was a child I’ve always wanted to help those less fortunate than myself. I saw myself growing up, making a family, and adopting children, even families. I wanted to share with them my world; my world that is not necessarily 'better,' but a healthier fit to their needs. I still want to do this when I begin to raise my own family.
I know that I've lived a very good life so far, and I am extremely lucky to be born into the majority society. With the power that I do have because of this lucky privilege, I want to help someone else. Not someone better or someone worse, just someone who wants my help.
I mean I do not think you’re a racist, obviously. In our lives, we all get like that. We all get a little cocky. I know there have been many times where I have thought I was better than someone (bad, I know, oh well)—but we all do it. In your case, you were in lesser developed countries, so, of course, you would think you have more of a shot at life than they do…..because you do. But I see what you’re saying, there is a fine line between thinking you’re superior and acting superior (with actions/word etc.) I guess the line between the superiority feelings is basically if you would actually want to help these people develop and reach a level where they have a fighting chance (which I’m thinking if you were in a lesser developed country in the first place, then yea, you are empathetic). I don’t know, I think it’s mostly a thing everyone does— a lot of people try to be better than someone else: whether it is at sports, dress better, think you’re prettier, better looking, skinnier, cooler etc. It’s not one of our best traits, clearly, but as long we know the line between competitive and actually suppressing another type of person with our actions or words—then I think we are all going to be just fine.
I guess what I think about this is that the line lies between thinking that you a better than a certain individual and thinking that your situation is better than that of another individual. The situation of every single one of us is better than the situation of people in third world counties, however, that is something that is out of the individual’s control. If you would take an individual from a third world country and put him in American and in a situation like yours and mine, he very well would probably be as successful as us. Therefore, I do not think that I am any better than individuals in developing countries, but I do think that I am in a better situation than them, which therefore will lead to me being more successful than them.
I mean in a way I think this is the opposite of racism. Like you're ability to understand that you have been give an ability to change the world more than another person–not because it's your inherent right–but because of your socio-economic conditions you have been given the resources and ability to change the world more than another person– I think the ability to recognize that gives you the perspective of racism. That you are a part of it–not that you are necessarily racist. You know?
its hard to understand this. People need to realize that anyone can be born anywhere. If an American was born in a third world country like Haiti or Ethiopia, they would have a much smaller chance of making something out of their lives. It just happens that a majority of all third world countries are inhabited by people that don't look white. They are all black, asian, or latino and therefore white Americans think that their worth more as a person because they can accomplish more. Even though it is pretty obvious that if anybody is born into the scenario that the average Haitian is, they most likely wont be too succesful in life, because they are given so little. The average American is given so much more than the average third world country resident, so of course they are going to have a better chance. It isn't that the average American is born smarter or better, he just has a better education system and has much more priveleges.
This brings up a really good point that I have never really thought about before. When saying that you think you can do more to contribute to the world you technically are saying that you think you better than other people. However, I do not think that you are being racist. There is a very fine line between thinking you are better than other people and being racist. I think that if you were racist you would be saying that you are better than other people and can accomplish more than them and contribute more to the world because you have a different skin color than them or something to that sort. However, I honestly think that this guy is just being honest. I think that people in developing countries can contribute a lot to the world and have a lot to offer. I just think that sometimes people in developing countries do not have the opportunity or resources to contribute their great fortune to the world, and this is extremely unfortunate. I think that this student was trying to say that compared to people in developing countries he has a greater chance to go to college, further his career, and more access to resources that can help him contribute to the world. For most people in developing countries they are more concerned with working and trying to get enough money to support their families, therefore they do not have enough money to go to school or do things that would get them noticed enough to be able to contribute to the rest of the world. I think that people in say the United States are just more fortunate to be able to get to the sources that they need to help and contribute to the world. I think that this is very unfortunate because I think there are so many creative, intelligent people in developing countries that if they had the time, recourses, and access to the things they need then they could do amazing things that would help out the entire world. So I think that the better way to state this would not to say that he thinks he is better than the people in the developing countries but to say that he is fortunate enough to have the access and resources to and opportunity to accomplish great things and help our others. If it is stated somewhere along those lines I think it would be far away from the racism line. Also maybe he should say that he can affect the world in a greater way because that does seem a bit conceited or getting close to the racism line. Instead he should say that he has a better chance at making and impact on the world.
I think the difference is, you are just thinking this. You think you have more to offer, and you may think you are better than someone else, but that does not mean you are against anyone proving you otherwise. That does not mean that when you meet someone you think you are better than, you do not hear what they have to say, and respect them for whom they are and what they believe. I think thinking this way is a natural part of being human. You have to have faith and confidence in yourself in order to get along in the world, and to be the best person you can be. A racist, however, would do whatever they could do, to make sure nobody proves you wrong.
There is a fine line, yes, but hopefully you are acknowledging some other things. Without knowing you or the people you visited in developing countries, it might be safe to guess you have more social and human capital on top of actual fiscal wealth. With these forms of wealth comes more power. Also, you said that you'd be more likely to affect the world in a greater way. More likely, yes. And we in the US have much larger carbon footprints than people in developing countries. So, in comparison to people in developing countries, you have more power to better AND pollute than they do. This doesn't make you better, or a racist, it but it does makes you more resonsible for what happens on this planet in the larger scheme of things.
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Hey! It's Tom! Hi, Tom!
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Yes I think there is a fine line but most of us will be considered "racist" in the end. Being a citizen of the United States, it is hard not to feel somewhat superior to others. I will admit that, yes, I do think I am better than some people. It is hard not to when we are the richest, most powerful country in the world. With the resources available to us and our laws, of course we are better off than some people. It is not my fault that I am better off than other people in other nations. I can feel like I am better off without parading around and making others feel inferior. There are people better than me and there are people worse than me, it is just how you portray it.
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mdonof5 Reply:
April 20th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
I agree with you thought that everyone has a little bit of racism in them. I know I do and even people who claim they don’t are full of crap. Stereotypes are the simplest form of racism and there is no doubt ever one acknowledges stereotypes. I like your openness to admit you think you are better than some people because I think subconsciously we are all superior to other people whether we want to admit it or not. I know I also openly admit I believe I am superior to some people, not in a bragging way, but it a muffled subtle way that I really only feel.
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marg33 Reply:
April 23rd, 2010 at 12:08 am
I agree with you as well because I have witnessed so many people being racist at times, and I cant lie that I have been racist at times as well. I feel that when people are really racist it is so disrespectful. I also agree about the openess to admitting about being superior. I agree in some ways i am superior to some people but I dont go around acting like it or telling people I am. I feel that people have this inner feeling of being superior to people and never admitting to it.
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alive2livin Reply:
April 21st, 2010 at 1:35 am
I agree as well. We are a powerful country and we do have many more resources and opportunities that help us to become successful in the society that we live in today. And your right, its hard not to feel a little superior to other people, but does that really mean we are racists? I mean I would say its more ethnocentric than racist to be honest. I mean as long as we care about other countries and we don't try to take them over completely and make slaves out of the people, I don't see why we should necessarily label our selves as racist. Its crazy to think that because we are to the point where our standard of living is much higher than some of those developing countries and we have a sense of security about that fact and we feel lucky to be able to have freedom of speech and all sorts of other things that we are discriminating other countries and other peoples because of race. I am thankful everyday that I was born in to America and realize how lucky I am to be here. I think that as long as we are thankful and don't hurt or feel more rightful to certain things than people of other countries we are not racist, we are human.
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fijig123 Reply:
April 22nd, 2010 at 5:59 pm
This is a very very hard topic to deal with. When speaking about this question the first thing that I would look at is the term “racist”. It is defined as the belief that a person’s race solely determines their traits and characteristics and therefore racial differences produce superiority and inferiority. After visiting those third world countries you said that you came back feeling as you had a much better chance to succeed than these people and you have a greater chance to affect the world. To me those feelings seem completely natural. After seeing how these countries are and how the citizens live through a daily struggle it is perfectly normal to relate this to your life and see just how lucky we actually are. We simply live in completely different circumstances than these people and this is nobodys fault. We were born here and given an amazing opportunity to do good for this world. This is completely unrelated and is in no way being a racist. Just because there are less fortunate countries than the one we live in does not mean everyone living in our country is a racist. Yet if instead you visited maybe a developed country in Europe such as France or Spain and interacted and learned how colored citizens of these countries lived and still came back with these feelings it could be seen as racist. The key difference that I see in the two is that the citizens of the third world country do not nearly have the resources or oppurtunities that we do to affect this world. Therefore you feel as if you are superior to these people simply because of their living circumstances and not their race. Yet if you visited a country such as France and came back feeling as if the colored people there simply could not succeed as much as you could and are inferior to you, that would be seen as racist. So to answer your question I think there is a big difference in your feelings when you returned and seeing those feelings as racist.
The subject of racism is very very touchy and hard for people to discuss. Is there anyone in the world who sees no race? Is there someone who complete sees the world on an even scale? To be honest I don’t see that as possible. It is human nature to see differences in people. Whether you are ignorant and see the differences in race and feel as if this is a determinant of traits and characteristics. Yet, if you see differences in people simply for who they are than I do not see that as racist. With that being said, this class is teaching me very much on how I can better see the world evenly.
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mattmcgloin Reply:
April 24th, 2010 at 4:05 am
i agree that everyone has some form of racism in them but i think we as the united states should be. after all we are the most powerful and richest country in the world. but i think by being in this position we need to reach out to the countries we are better than to lend a hand when they are i need. it is not our fault that we are better than those people it is just the way it happened but i believe that it does not have to be like that because we can help them out and show them the way and try to give them a better life.
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First off I would like to say it is very noble of you to even think this way. It shows that this course is actually doing something for you. Although, I think that you are still in the ‘guilt’ stage and haven’t really realized the bigger picture. While I am no expert by any standard, I think that you’ve brought up an interesting concept. If you realize that you are better off than people in poorer countries and fell that you have more power than them are you actually ‘better’ than them? I wonder. I think that these statements are actually two very separate things. On the one hand you have recognized the sad part of reality- yes you will always be better off than those people in third world countries, in terms of money, resources, and possibly success in your home land; but I don’t think this makes you racist, I think it makes you a realist. One the other hand you said that by thinking this way it means you realize you have the potential to do more, and by feeling you are better than someone aren’t you on the fine line of being racist? I think the answer is no. I think that being ‘worth more as a person’ isn’t comparable to ‘affecting the world in a greater way’. Yes, we do have the necessary power, money and resources here in America to do great things for other people and make peace for the world, etc. but this doesn’t mean you see yourself, necessarily, as better than other people. This simply means you, as an American, have better resources than other people. I don’t think this makes you better, smarter, or worth more than a slave in Africa or a poor Iranian woman. Just because you have more, and you realize that, doesn’t make you racist. It’s unfair to make that jump. I think it is very bold and honest of you to think that this jump seems logical but I disagree- please give yourself more credit. The world sort of sucks in the way that some countries do have a lot less than us, but that doesn’t mean since we have more we are naturally racist.
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I think that there is a big difference between thinking you are better than someone in a developing country and thinking your race is superior. Obviously if you are a student in America you are much better off than a poor individual in a developing country. You have food, water, clothing and several other needed supplies to survive while these other people in developing countries may not. So between people in developing countries and people in countries that are developed, there is an automatic line drawn. This line is not a line drawn according to race but it is based on development.
On the other hand, when someone thinks that his or her country is more developed based on the color of the citizens skin color or race, then the line needs to be drawn because of racism. To play the race card and think that one race can control a country better than another is crossing the line. No one can say that there is one superior race that can run a developed country better than another race can. This would be stepping into the racism portion of the question.
Now to answer the question that was presented, I think that there was nothing wrong with the way that this guy thought after visiting some underdeveloped countries. He came from America, so again; obviously he is going to be better off than someone who is living in these underdeveloped countries. He is more likely to go to school and get a job. His future is based on how America is set up and since America is a developed country he is going to have more opportunities to better his life. It’s just the facts of life really; it is not based on race at all. By saying that he thinks he has more of a chance to make a difference in the world is probably correct. He is not looking at the color of his skin or comparing the color of his skin to others while he is saying this. It is just a simple feeling of realizing you are much better off than these other people. It is just more of a realization then a comment about race.
I can say for myself, I have never visited an underdeveloped country, but I can guess that I would have much of the same reaction. Not based on race, just based on the actuality of America being more developed than his or her own country is. This is a natural feeling and should not be deemed as a racist comment. The line should be drawn when the comment comes down to the color of skin or the place of people of color in society.
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mdonof5 Reply:
April 20th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
I agree with you when you claim that there is a difference in thinking that you are better than someone in a developing country than thinking your race is superior because quite frankly it’s a complete individual idea and not necessarily everyone thinks like this. Like I previously said in another post, sometimes you subconsciously believe you are superior to people living in third world countries and you don’t even recognize it. I believe that thinking your race is superior is much worse because of the implications it has here in the United States and the potential feathers you could ruffle on American soil.
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Agreed. It is a fine line, but just because you–by chance–have better opportunities than someone who also–by chance–was born in a developing nation doesn't mean you are better than them, nor does it mean you are racist. I mean… you might be racist given your particular views about other people or the way you act in correspondence to those ideals, but just because your opportunities are better or worse than someone else's does not mean you are racist in the slightest. Unless you have some chip on your shoulder about it.
I do think however, if you choose to be ignorant to what you have seen in those nations or choose not to subject yourself to the realities of the way other people are forced to live because of their country or their society is a waste. Obviously though, that is your choice and my personal opinion. I think we have been given the chance to take a true look at the privileges we really have as we have grown up in America (Most of us anyway) and the opportunities we have been given to make change–for better or for worse. You said that you feel because we are Americans we might have a greater impact on the world and this may be true in many cases, but for the better is a relative statement. Recently in my Demography class we learned that American babies born have a 30 times worst impact on the environment throughout their life time than a person living in a developing nation. In this way, we impact the world negatively, and I can relate, even when I try not to be wasteful (which regrettably I know I am very unsuccessful) I still find myself forgetting to recycle or driving unnecessary places.
I think your statement however was directed toward more of a humanitarian aspect rather than that of an environmental one, but still–there are positives and negatives in every society. Sure as an average individual, we can probably seek out to do more than most individuals in developing nations–the sheer fact that we are in college puts us among the top 2% of the elite world (last I checked), but there are definitely those who rise above adversity and make huge impacts on their nations and the world. As far as racism goes, I don't know where the line is drawn, I don't think anyone can truly say they don't have prejudices. If it isn't against people of color, it may be against whites, some people have prejudice thoughts against people who are too heavy, or too skinny, and if they aren't prejudice against these people we may be prejudice against ignorance… which I find I have a problem with. I cannot stand it when people are ignorant, but then perhaps they have not had the same opportunities that I have had to learn about what they do not know. I think one of the biggest things about this course is that we learn that there is so much we don't know… that we don't even know what we don't know. So maybe I myself am being ignorant to that fact.
It is a fine line. It is everywhere. Opportunity does not make you racist, though. Discriminating against someone for their background or skin color does. Thinking you are better than someone? Because of money, looks, class, gender? I don't know if that makes anyone racist. I think that just makes you insecure. Haven't you had thoughts that you are better than your brother or your sister? Best friend? Stranger? I think that we have all had these thoughts at some point or another. I am not saying it is good, or it is right, or it is okay… but I think it is human nature and I think it has a lot more do to with self esteem rather than who the other person is. As far as opportunities go–I don't think we should waste the opportunities and privileges we have been given, use them for something–preferably something good. I might be way off mark here, but like I said before, it's your choice, and this is just my personal opinion.
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Coming from the wealthiest nation in the world, it is easy to simply blow off third world and developing countries and their problems. I admit that many times I do this and don’t really think twice about the issues facing these third world countries. Yet now that this video post has come up I have thought a little differently about why I don’t think about these third world countries and the issues they face. I know it’s a combination of many things. Maybe I subconsciously feel as if I am superior to the citizens in these third world countries. Maybe I feel as if a 19 year old college student in State College, PA can’t really make a difference that can truly affect people hundreds of miles away. Or maybe it’s the fact that I simply don’t care because their situation and issues don’t directly affect me. I don’t consider myself racist, but yet again who does. I truly believed that I am so removed from third world country issues that I really don’t know how to react to them because I truly do believe I really can’t do much to truly affect the outcome. I never really thought of thinking of myself as superior to people living in third world and developing countries until this post. I guess you can’t compare a person from the U.S. and a person living in let’s say Ethiopia because the lifestyle, customs, and culture is so distinctly different. What I’m trying to get at is that people in Ethiopia might consider themselves superior to Americans, not in the fact of possessions, but in the idea of more enriched in their cultures. People living in Ethiopia might think that internal awareness of culture is more important than material goods. Obviously they defiantly need more materials goods to live, but Americans might consider themselves superior to those citizens of third world countries because we simply posses more tangible objects. I believe that there is a very broad line regarding the difference between people who are racist and people who consider themselves superior to people of third world countries. People, who are racist, completely consciously degrade other human beings because of their skin color. People who feel as if they are superior to others in third world countries might do so in a subconscious way. Like I’ve previously stated this wall post has opened my eyes regarding people in third world countries. I never really thought of myself being superior to them, but I guess I subconsciously do. And it’s not even that I feel superior to them, it’s as if I really don’t even recognize people actually live in these countries as weird as that might sound. When people raise money for 3rd world countries, now that I think of it, I really don’t even realize that money is going to help people who live in those countries.
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I do think it is racist to believe that you are better than another race. However, I do not think it is racist to see how a population of people of a certain race lives, and acknowledge that you and people of your race live higher quality lives in the United States. It is important to just recognize not EVERYONE of that race lives like that. For example, a race that lives in a third world nation, can also exist here in the United States. Knowing and being aware of how other people are living, and believing that you have the power to make a difference—big or small is great and empowering. I really do not see it as being racist.
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I don’t think there is a fine line between being racist or not, just as there is no true fine line about race. You may act one way in a certain situation that deals with race, and act differently in another and not even realize it. Like Sam has said, it is a political issue. However, if you think you are better than someone else because of your skin tone, then yea, I would probably say you are prejudice. On the other hand, if you feel you are better than someone because you have more wealth or are more privileged, then I probably say that it is not based on the color of your skin.
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That is an interesting question because when I approached this video I thought it was going to be someone who has made an obviously racist comment and needed to know if it was really that bad. This comment, that you could help people in a developing country better than someone that lives in that area, I believe is not a racist comment. I think if you reword it and say I can do a better job because I am better than those people, it might because of the reasons you would say that. It might be because you have more money and can afford the necessary things to help them. Or is it because you see yourself with higher power then they have? Those are two separate questions and I think the reason you say you could do better determines if you are close to the racism boundary. Also I think in your situation where you have visited this country and actually have seen the country and its problems, it gives you a reason to think how you can help. Now I have only been thinking from the side of an U.S citizen but if I think about how I would feel if you said that to me and I was a person living in that country, I believe it might be a different story. If you said that to someone in the country they might think that you believe that they do not have any power to help their own country. They could feel that you think you are better than them not because you can help but possibly because you come from a developed country, the United States. This fine line of being racist and having an opinion is very hard to follow in our society. I feel like I find myself watching what I say about certain people because if I do not complement or agree with their views it could be seen as being racist. Or as you have come by, helping people could be taken as being racist because being racist sometimes includes thinking you are better than them. Once I found myself talking to one of my colored friends and it was so hard to find words that will not come off as racist. I was never trying to be racist but because I was watching my words I felt like I might say something wrong. A lot of things can be taken racism so it is hard to watch everything you say. Some people are going to take what you said racist but some will not. I do not know how this boundary of being racist and not will resolve or if it will ever be less sensitive but I guess we need to watch what we say around certain people.
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I don’t think that being racist and saying that you have more potential in this society then someone in an underdeveloped country is the same thing. To be racist is to say that you just do not like a certain group because of who they are and what they believe in and what they look like etc. To say that having more potential to be successful in our society then someone who lives in an underdeveloped country relates more to resources and opportunities. Just because I am fortunate enough to come from the United States and I live in a country that has money and more opportunities then other third world countries does not mean I am racist. That does not mean that I think I’m any more of a human being then that group. Maybe there are certain people who could be racist against people from third world countries but that is not the same as just thinking that I may have more opportunities then people from other third world countries. It is unfortunate though that we have to generalize like this and just assume that all these people living in these countries have no hope. For example, that woman in a blog from earlier this semester who was from a third world country but who was a genius when it came to finances and business may have had more of an opportunity to succeed had she come from the United States. I personally think that because she comes from a country with poor resources and poor opportunities means that she won’t be as successful in comparison to if she was from the United States where she maybe would have more of a successful life. But I’m not a racist person. I have nothing against any ethnicity or culture. I’m not racist against this woman just because I think that she would be more successful if she lived in a country where her knowledge and intelligence would be useful. To be racist is attributed more to personal differences between people while not having potential in our society is related more to situational differences. If it is just related to the situation of where you come from that makes the difference between two people’s lives, that does not mean your racist. In addition, I think to be racist would mean you have to actually verbally say that you dislike or hate a culture, group, or ethnicity. I do not think that anyone actually would say I hate people in third world countries because they come from a poor place that does not offer them opportunities. If people were to say that then yes I would say they are racist. But just to say that I am different from someone in a third world country because I am offered more opportunities does not mean I think I am more of a person then any of them.
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You are not a racist, first of all. This is the exact idea of ethnocentrism; the idea that you are better than another. However, this issue has nothing to do with race. You are better off not because you are white, but because you are an American. You do not live in a developing world. You have not been affected by something so dramatic that you will constantly be crawling out of a hole or jumping hurdles. You were born more privileged than another and the fact that you are white, and they are black, is purely coincidence. Be thankful that you have the opportunity to help yourself and others.
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This is a really interesting question. I agree with the earlier posts that everyone has at least a little bit of racism in them. Even the most open minded people cannot know as much about the life and struggles of other races as much as they do of their own. This is not intentional racism or hatred of other race, which is a common connotation of racism; it is just a part of life. A person can dedicate their life to getting to know another race but in my opinion if you are not living it firsthand you can never get the full experience; you will always be getting the translated version from experience to words. This inexperience and lack of knowledge will lead to gaps in the information that will be filled in and often come back out as racism.
I decided to comment on this because it is very similar to the thoughts I was having in class today when Sam’s old TA was telling us about his trip to Haiti. I am not saying that it is racism. I don’t really know what it would be called but what you are talking about I would not day is racism. I would say it is more of ethnocentrism in that you are seeing your own culture as right and better than others. You are seeing that your country with all of these resources and money as the best way to accomplish things, and maybe it is, but maybe other countries don’t see it that way and they think that they will be able to accomplish more doing it their way. What I connected this to in class today was when the TA was telling us about all of the non-profit organizations and how what they were doing was the wrong way to do it. he explained his point and why he thought that he had a better way of doing things, but who is he to say what is right? To me it seemed as if he was putting down all of the efforts these organizations are making and saying all of their efforts are going in the wrong direction. When a girl in class said that there are organizations working from within and doing what he said was the right thing he found a flaw in that saying that they could not drill wells where they were. So if water should not be given to them because it doesn’t build their economy but they cannot create wells, then where is the water supposed to come from? It seemed as if no matter what anyone was doing it was not as good as what he was planning to do and that is exactly what he was saying all of the organizations were saying about one another.
I’m not trying to take away from what he is doing in Haiti, but I just think he should take a step back and see what he is saying before he points the finger at these organizations that are supposed to be on the same team as him.
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I think this is a great topic to bring up. Like Sam always says, we live in America so we always think America must be the best country in the world. This is a very arrogant way of thinking but at the same time Sam also says the poorest 10% of Americans are still richer than 2/3 of the world. So how could you not think that you are lucky and more capable to help people? I always thought I was blessed and lucky but after Sam’s class it makes me realize how blessed and lucky I really am. So yes some arrogance comes with this. In America we are rich and we are well educated so I think there is some reason to why we think we are better equip to helping people. In counteraction to that though, after the Haiti lecture on Tuesday, as much as yes we do have money and education, sometimes we are not what people need. We can give free hand outs in trying to save the world but what people really need is to be able to do it themselves. If we were to go into other countries and build wells and water systems without explaining and teaching other of how they work, what happens when we leave and the system breaks? The issue I am now realizing is, yes I am blessed and lucky to be living in America and have the education I am having, but that does not make me any smarter in the world as people in third world countries. Even without education people have established amazing things. We may think we are the most capable to helping people in poorer countries but the truth is we may not be. These people may be able to use education but would teach them the same things we learn really even help them. I really do not feel I am better equip to help people in third world countries because to be honest with you I don’t understand all the hardships they have been through. I think the best people to help these people are themselves. Yes we could send teacher over to these countries to help them learn and establish a business and yes we could be free labor that they need when they need extra hands. But as far as I’m the best person and most capable of helping these people, I do not think that is true. I think yes I have the money for it and yes I have been educated in what I need to be educated to be successful in America, but as far as helping someone who I do not completely understand. No I do not think I am the most capable but I hope to try and be an extra hand in helping them establish a life for themselves.
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I have to commend the speaker of this video for really thinking about this issue. I don't think you are being a racist by thinking that Americans have more resources to help people in third world nations, and by these resources Americans will make more of an impact. I don't think that I am better than people in Haiti. I just think I have been dealt a different hand of cards than them. Just because I am fortunate enough to be in a better economic situation that allows me to help others as much as I can does not make me think that I am better than these people. These thoughts go along with Sam's lecture of luck, free will, and determinism. It is by luck and other factors throughout history that America has become the superpower it is. If similar circumstances would have happened to Haiti and not to the US, perhaps it would be Haitians who are contemplating this idea. Since America is such a wealthy nation I feel like it is our duty, to a degree, that we help out people who seek or help or who are in dire need of it (such as Haiti after the earthquake). Just because you are a citizen of a country with resources to that enable its fellow citizens to help people in unfortunate situations, I would not feel like a racist. To me, the definition of a racist is someone who thinks they are better than someone else based on the color of their skin. I think having more access to resources and being able to ultize those resources is in no way thinking your better than someone. Typically, the more resources one has, the more power they hold. Since America has a lot of resources, our country has a lot of power. Now the battle over resources has gotten America in a lot of trouble over the years, but the fact of the matter is the more resources a country has the more of an impact their people can make. You are not looking down upon them. Their economic plight was just the cards they were dealt. We in America, for the most part, were dealt with very favorable cards, and I think it is, to a degree, somewhat of our duty to help those in need.
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i think its personally okay to know that you are speaking within the lines racism, but if you know that surely that means that you are not a racist. I like to respect you to know that your in the line. It might appear to be racist that if some one were to say something like they are better suited to help a country then a least developing country but in reality it is not racism at all. People should be aware that racism is not always from the lines of stating a fact. If america is able to help a least foreign country then another country then it could be true. It not like the guy was saying yeah Americans are better than the rest of the world because we have more resources, better homes, better people, etc etc. but in reality that sense of pride did not come from the speaker. You should not worry because i believe you were aware of what you were saying, some people say things before they think and usually they end up insulting someone like as racist, political leaders who are interested in one race domination. America is given lots of opportunities and it is our duty as Americans to help those in need of our resources and developed country. I think we should be able to recognize that all the benefits that we American possesses should not be uses just on our country. there are other countries in need of our aid. An example is Haiti and american and other developed countries should help those who are in pain and suffering and have lack of resources to help themselves out. The definition of racism is judging someone of another skin, color, appearance by your own standards and stating your race is better then theres. In this case that america is one to help a less developed country is not a form of racism. America is here along with other developed countries to help and provide, whatever the cost may be.
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I think there is definitely a difference in being a racist and feeling the way this student did while visiting these different countries. Living in America, or any developed countries for that matter, the citizens must feel some sense of superiority over third world countries. I myself feel as if I am privileged living in America, so I feel as if I am better than people living in third world counties. I do not consider this a racist idea though, I think it is more of a spoiled idea. Living in America we are exposed to so many things that people in third world countries will never even know about. So without sounding rude or inconsiderate to those people living in third world countries, I, like the student in the video, feel as if I am more important than those people.
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Being from the most wealthy country in the world, it is hard not to think in the back of our minds that we are more likely to change the world than others. We have far more resources to draw from than people in developing countries. But thinking that you are more capable to change the world is different from thinking you are better overall than ther person. I think that I am better off than most everyone in developing countries at having the ability to change the world, but since I recognize that location and society have alot to do with it, I do not find myself to be better than them. I dunno, just my thought on that one.
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Being from one of the most wealthy countries in the world, it is hard not to think in the back of our minds that we are more likely to change the world than others. We have far more resources to draw from than people in developing countries. But thinking that you are more capable to change the world is different from thinking you are better overall than ther person. I think that I am better off than most everyone in developing countries at having the ability to change the world, but since I recognize that location and society have alot to do with it, I do not find myself to be better than them. I dunno, just my thought on that one.
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To me I think the answer to this is pretty black and white. I don’t see much room for debate here but maybe that is just me. I definitely do not think that the questioner or anyone who was thoughts like that is racist. Or at lease those particular thoughts are not racist. If the question you are asking yourself is “Do I have a better chance to impact the world in a positive?” then I do not see how that is racist. To me that seems like simply asking who is in a better position, not who is a better person. Of course the person from a developed country like the United States will have a better opportunity to change the world from someone in a developing country. The one person will have the financial ability and education to try to often make his wishes come true and use his natural talent. On the other hand the person from a 3rd world country will often not have the same opportunities. It seems like an honest assessment of the world and the differences we see. It is unfortunate that it is the case but it is certainly not racist to call it how it is. Personally, I think it is beneficial that we do recognize the discrepancies we see so that we can rectify them. If we keep our thoughts contained to ourselves for fear of retribution then we will not get anywhere.
If the kid asking the question had looked at these other people and thought “Sadly, I am a little better than these people” then that could be deemed as bigoted. But to me it seems that he was looking more at the positions of the individuals, not the individuals themselves. He was not saying that he was better than another person; rather he was saying that his upbringing happened to give him more opportunities to alter our world. This ties in what Sam has been harping on all year, particularly when he talks about the “king of the hill”. People such as me have been fortunate enough to be put into a situation where I can thrive and prosper. It doesn’t mean that I have earned or not earned it. I just happened to take advantage of the situation that I was given. While not everyone could have achieved what I have with my opportunity there are a multitude of people who could have done what I did or even raised the bar a little. They also do not need to be people like me, white Americans. It could have been a Hispanic kid from Brooklyn or a child from Mozambique. I just happened to be the one with the opportunity. I think as long as you look at it with that perspective and do not try to compare the actual individuals then you are really just calling it as it is, rather than being racist.
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I think that he is definitely right in thinking that he could be racist. However, that is definitely not racist. The reason we think that we can have a greater impact is because in fact we can. It may sound mean but we are far better off than almost anyone else in this world. As Sam says multiple times in class, the poorest 10 percent of people in America are better off than two thirds of the rest of the world. That really hit home for me when he said it. We as people need to realize that as Americans, on top of the mountain, we need to stop looking down upon the hopeless and start making moves to help those less fortunate. There will be a time in your life when you think of what your purpose of being on this Earth is. Did you spend your time just doing meaningless tasks or did you actually make a difference. People need to start thinking.
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America is a powerful country that carries a lot of weight in the global economy. Our standard of living is amongst the highest in the world, and, like Sam said, the POOREST of the poor people in America have it better than TWO-THIRDS of the world's peoples.
Obviously we're a fortunate country. And, logically, that also means that the people living in this country have more stake in the way the entire world is run than, say, a penniless slave in some third world country.
I don't think that this makes you, as a person, racist in any way to acknowledge that you live in a country with more power, and, therefore, can have a larger affect than someone else. You're not "greater" as a person, you just have a greater ability than others to do something and make a difference.
Anyway, Hi, Tom! I love you, Tom!
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I really think deep down everyone in their own way is racist. There is probably one thing that we will say behind someones back or more so behind a groups back. And as hard it is to admit I am guilty of this. Deep down we all know that it is not right and if we can not say something to someones face then we should not say it at all. It is a hard topic to cover and I believe that we need to start thinking about our actions before acting upon them. One thing we can do is put ourselves in the other persons shoes and see how hurtful it must be.
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Yea I do not think that if you feel like you can help other countries out more than their own people can that it is any type of racism. I mean many people probably think that of all colors from the United States. The fact is that we are a very powerful and wealthy country compared to others, so that we most likely can help them out more than there own people can. The United States is always sending aid and money to other countries, not because we are better than them, but just because we can help them more than they can help themselves, and need our help (sometimes). I think it is totally unrelated to racism and just about the power and wealth of the country you come from.
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I don’t think that there is anything wrong with thinking that you have a better chance at changing things than the people in these developing countries have because of the simple fact that you as an American have more opportunities to do so. The resources that you have the ability to use are not available for people of these other countries. I don’t think that that is racist in any way, I simply feel that that is one of the advantages of living in the United States. Why do you think so many people from other countries want to come to America? It is the land of opportunity. So there ya go. Don’t worry about being racist.
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This does seem like an idea that is a little bit racist. Its true you are kind of making yourself out to be a more valuable asset and person then people in these under developed countries. Yet I personally don’t think that just makes you out to be a racist person. What it actually is, is you recognizing the advantages you have been given by your upbringing, education, and financial stability. There are probably many people in those countries who are far more intelligent or capable than you or I its just they weren’t given the same opportunities in life that we were.
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We are ALL racists in our own way. I think everybody thinks that only White people can be racist, but that is a misconception. I have overheard many conversations that if they had came out of a White person's mouth, there would be a riot, but since a person of color said it, it is alright because they are "sticking it to the White man". I think it is true that Americans have a better chance in making a significant change because of all the opportunities and abundant resources we posses. This is not racist to me, we are only taking advantage of the opportunities bestowed upon us!
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That is an interesting question. There is definitely a fine line between what is and is not racist and ethnocentric. I can understand why the commentator can see a gray area. In third world and developing countries, many individuals from developed countries come to these locations to offer there aid. But does it mean that people say from the United States are better than individuals in third world countries? No. Just because somebody needs your help does not mean that they are better than you. It means that they are better off than you in that particular situation, not better than you. This is why some people become resentful of help. But just because someone is white, black, Asian, Indian or from the United States or a third world country mean that they are better than someone of another race or country.
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Honestly after having listened to this, I personally think that maybe you’re worrying just a tad too much about what you thought. Firstly I’m going to say that I honestly agree with your first impulse. But I truly don’t think there’s anything racist about it, it’s really a pretty honest reading on the reality of the situation. When push comes to shove you, most likely, you’ve had a better education than most from any 3rd world nation; you likely have some money to spare, not to mention simple having the ability to easily move between countries. So to say that you think you have a better shot at making a difference isn’t a stretch at all. What’s important to recognize is that a lot of those benefits are a product of the country you live in and not an immutable characteristic.
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I think at you stated it right there. The difference is really the mindset in which you reflect. You came back from those third world countries with the realization of your political and social position in the world. When you see that you have more power to effect change does not mean that you think you are better than anyone else or worth more than anyone else. You can find that difference in those third world countries as well as our own. Those that have their basic needs met and have extra time or money will always have more influence than those that do not.
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This is a tough question to answer. Yes I understand where he is coming from but when remembering what Sam said about how where we live was all luck of the draw it helps me understand. I just believe that if you understand that you can make a difference doesnt mean you feel superior it means you were blessed with more than others.I believe it's what you do with these resources that makes you who you are. God intended people to help others, so what if you have more it just makes you able to help more people.
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I'm not sure I agree with the fact that everyone has a little bit of racism in them like one of the comments said. I think that you think you can do more because you have more resources and perhaps time to do more. Does this really have to do with the race of someone or just the willpower that they possess? I think a lot of the reasons that certain people are able to help more is just because of the resources and place that they live in. Also although I hate to say this money is a huge factor. The more you have the more you can help. Maybe it is just that these people already have less money and resources than you so you have the advantage, not that it is a race issue.
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First of all, I love your premise about it not having anything to do with anything. That said, I believe that you are correct in that you feel better equipped to change the world than someone in a third-world country. However, I think the reason is not in your control (your skin color and place of birth), so for someone to take that thought to assume that they are better than other people would be ridiculous. Unfortunately, I understand that there are idiots out there who believe in their racial superiority, or believe that since they live in a country such as the United States, that they are entitled to walk around with a chip on their shoulder.
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You’re not racist as far as I can tell, unless you directly think it they cannot make a difference because these people are inherently inferior to you. There is a difference between racism and truth. Depending on the country you were in, you are right. There is a much better chance you will be able to make a difference in the world than they will. But that isn’t because you are white. You probably also have more of a chance to change the world than white people in Appalachia. It’s a matter of opportunities rather than race. Color has nothing to do with it, unless you think it does. Then you’re racist.
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Well there are a number of ways to go about this. It almost makes me laugh a little. The boy in the clip seems intelligent and what he said was a little ignorant. Of course people in developing countries because they do not have the means to make something out of themselves or their life. I feel like that is kind of a no brainer. I do think that he worded it kind of weird. I do not know exactly what he meant by asking if he thinks he is racist.
I also do not think there needs to be any picking of one particular “side”. I think someone can make the statement he made and not be racist. I guess there could be a fine line about it but it is an odd subject to be honest. When someone asks you to pick a side it seems like you have to make a clear concise decision. Maybe some people have varied opinions. I know I do have gray feelings about this matter.
I do not think that it was necessarily racist because there are people of all colors that live in developing countries. Unless he meant just the black people he saw. I do not know much of what he did and the people he saw but I am sure he had a legitimate reason to say what he said. When people are talking about racism it brings tons of different ideas to one’s mind and what not. Racism is having negative feelings or dislike for someone or some people of a different race. What this boy is talking about, is not that at all. He thinks he will be able to better help the world. Which he is, if he went to a developing country and maybe did some work there with the population of struggling people. Like I said I do not know exactly what he did there but I do not think he went there for a vacation of anything of that sort. Hopefully he was there helping people. By just doing the help can make someone help further others in life.
He is most likely going to go further in life than people with no water or home. Unless by some miracle these countries get funding or miraculously get built back up to at least a meateocur standard then I do not think any of those people are going to get far in life. Most of them may die before they could even finish school. I believe I will go further in life and do more for the world than a person living in a developing country. I have an education and plan on becoming a psychologist, how many psychologists do you know in developing countries.
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I agree with the fact that mostly everyone will be considered a racist sometime in their lives. Whether it is jokingly or serious, it is going to happen regardless if you are racist or not. Everyone in the United States already has an advantage over most of the countries in the world. We are one of the wealthiest countries in the world and have so many resources that are easily accessible to us. It is very easy for a citizen of the United States to brag about how lucky and fortunate we are but that gives us the bad reputation that we hate having. It is reasonable to accept that we are better off than other countries; we just don’t need to be so blunt about it.
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I think this student makes a very good point. I think there is a very fine line between feeling better than someone else and feeling good about your well intended actions. Racism is basically thinking a person’s race makes them superior or inferior to others without any other characteristics factoring in. You basically think your race is the right race and all other races are wrong and worse off. I think feeling superior from helping a country isn’t the best way to feel, but I don’t believe it is racism. I do agree it is on the way to racism because if you feel superior for volunteering, then you might as well feel superior in other ways. I think if everyone had the money and spare time then everyone would choose to help others. Some people don’t have the necessary items to help, but it isn’t their fault just like their race. Should you feel superior to other countries just because you can help more than them? I don’t know if you should or not, but I am going to say you shouldn’t. I mean think about it, the countries that aren’t helping are third world countries that can’t afford or have the means to help other countries. Just because you have the time and money to spend helping out other countries doesn’t mean that you are better. If people from poorer countries had the means necessary to help other countries, then who is to say that they wouldn’t. If you feel superior to those people who cant help it that they cant volunteer, then you are on your way to feeling superior to those people who cant help what color their skin is. Born into money and a white family doesn’t make you any better than a colored person born into poverty because they are both things you cannot help. No one blames you for being born white because you didn’t have a choice. I do on the other hand think that it is ok to feel superior to people with same lifestyle as you because you use your wealth and spare time for good. What makes helping and volunteering such a good thing is the thought behind the action. The thought of wanting to spend spare time helping others is what makes something admirable. I think that the thought alone to help others makes you a good person, and the action just puts the cherry on top. You did a great thing but feeling better than others for doing it takes away from the good nature of your action. My philosophy is that there will always be someone who is better than you. There will always be someone who cares more, helps more, tries harder etc, so just do what you want to the best of your ability and don’t think about being better than others because you will never be the best.
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This really is a tricky topic. As citizens of the US, we sometimes forget just how lucky we are to have the resources and opportunities that we are presented with every day. I know that, myself included, we take for granted so many liberties, rights, and resources. And I think you're right that traveling to a third-world country, or even one that's just not us can really serve as a wakeup call to highlight the inequalities in this world. That being said, I don't think there's anything wrong with acknowledging the fact that an American citizen will probably get further in life than say, someone in Haiti. It really comes back to the King of the Mountain analogy that Sam always uses. We have the resources, we have the opportunities. Be it by luck, by force, or by other factors, it's how to cards have been dealt. By no means do I think this is fair, but nothing ever is. I actually think it's a good thing for you to examine these differences because it really makes you see that the circumstances into which someone is born can have a very strong influence on how far they go in life. But to me, what keeps you from walking onto the racist side of the line is perspective. it's good to realize that because of your opportunities you're more likely to succeed, but make sure you step back and make sure you know that given your resources, someone from a country that isn't as fortunate as ours would have just as great, if not a greater chance of success. The thing to keep in mind is that it's not one's nationality that dictates success. It's the work ethic, combined with available opportunities and resources. It's a sad thing to have to think about, but I'm sure that there are so many brilliant minds out there that have dreams of peace, new inventions and innovations, and new energy ideas that will never get off the ground because they never got the chance. The mind to cure cancer could be somewhere in the middle of Haiti just struggling to survive. It's so crazy to think about, but there's so much potential out there that's never going to come to fruition. So the next time you see someone from a struggling country, think about that. Instead of looking at that person and thinking that there's no chance that they'd ever become anything successful, or that they're poor because they're lazy, open your mind to the global perspective. Consider the possibility that they're more innovative, determined, or driven than you, but the only reason why they're not the one in charge is because of the where they were born.
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I think that this question is really a case of the answer “being in the eye of the beholder”. I don’t really think that here is a definitive and correct answer to this issue. I can completely understand both side of the argument though. I can understand how a person can go to another country and see people less fortunate than themselves and reflect of the fact that they have access to so many more resources. On the other hand, I would definitely be offended if I was one of those less fortunate persons. Its truly disheartening to realize that the world has become a place where your success is based of resources rather than talent or loyalty or morality.
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Obviously if you think that you can do more to help people you should not be feeling bad about it unless of course you are actually doing nothing. I do think the worst thing to do is waste a gift and by having the gift of being able to help, inaction is the worst action. Personally with the Haiti topic, the only thing I really did was help raise money but then I think that is all I really could do. If I could have gone to Haiti and thought I would make a difference I probably would have but Haiti right now needs a miracle more than a body.
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Great point Tom! The first part to this would be how you should value yourself. In my opinion everyone should feel that he or she is the most important person in the world. Now, just because you feel yourself important doesn’t mean that you feel others are unimportant, and certainly doesn’t make you racism. Again, this is just my opinion, but to be racist you have to have negative preconceptions about another individual or group of individuals based solely on race. So in summation, to think you are more valued than another does not make you racist since you are only valuing yourself and not devaluing others.
Being realistic for a moment, you make a valid point saying that you feel you have more of an advantage in giving or a better chance to achieve than others in worse off countries. I could not agree more. I do not feel this is racist either but rather a statement of how things currently stand in a realistic world. The fact of the matter is coming from America, we have many more opportunities to achieve or help out than other individuals in third world countries. It is not racist to say this, it is factual.
Back to the point of racism, I think people are too willing to designate an individual as racist. We, as people of a modern, educated world have to understand that not everyone is equal. As an American you were able to fly overseas to a third world country and donate your time and effort whereas individuals of third world countries cannot easily fly over here and help out. I do disagree with the point about the line not being broad about a person’s worth and being racist. Again, I feel to be racist one must look negatively upon another because of an individual’s or group of individual’s race. Worth is an entirely different story. Worth is the real net value of individual, measured by how much he or she can contribute to society. To no fault of an individual in a third world country, he or she really cannot contribute much to greater society, especially when he or she needs to work to provide for him or herself.
Overall the point I am trying to get across here is that thinking highly of yourself does not make you racist. Everyone should think well of themselves, but no one should think poorly of others due solely to race. People need to be careful when classifying someone as racist, as I feel that this term is being thrown around more and more often in society. In my opinion, being unjustly labeled as a racist is just as bad as being racist. I do not think it is about picking sides or anything of that sort. Again, and this is just my opinion, as long as the intention to not be racist is there then I would not consider a person or action racist.
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keg5174 Reply:
April 23rd, 2010 at 5:22 pm
It's a difficult question but i think it just depends on how you say it, people are so touchy with political correctness. Knowing that you are able to make a change and that other people are less capable doesn’t make you a racist. Obviously some people have certain advantages and tools that allow them to make a change. The real question is are you going to do something about the fact that you are capable of change or are you just going to sit their, acknowledge your capabilities, and then do nothing. That can make it seem a little more racist because now it is like you know you are more capable of something and you judge other people for not being as capable.
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This is a very true statement. There is a very thin line between thinking that you are better than someone because you have a better chance of effecting the world, and being a person that is a racist. Of course being an American, it is easy to believe that you are a privileged group of people that are far more qualified then those that live in developing countries. The only problem with that thought, is that you are part of a PRIVILEGED group. You haven't necessarily done anything to belong there and it is by pure luck that you ended up in the position you are now. If you were born in a third world country such as Haiti, Somalia, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam etc… you wouldn't be such a priveleged person anymore. Because you don't have the opportunities that the average American has, you obviously won't be able to effect the world like the average american can. It has nothing to do with you, it is much more about the position you were born in.
Sam has stated a couple times in class that the bottom 10% of Americans, live in better conditions than two-thirds (or 4 billion) people throughout the world. We as Americans have to realize that we know almost nothing about real poverty. We see ghettos in New York, Washington DC, and Baltimore, but do we really understand what it means to be poor? for the most part i would think that we are pretty naive to the things that go on outside the United States.
So we have to realize that a person born into a third world country. No matter the race, he could be white, black, latino, asian, it doesnt matter. That person has a much smaller chance of being sucessful when compared to someone born in the United States. Not because he is any less of a human being, but more because he was born into conditions that really restricted the things that he could accomplish in his life. It just so happens that white people reached "the top of the mountain" first, and they have made it so other white people can prosper easier. So every third world country is made of people that look like minorities to the average American. When Americans see these people living in third world countries and they know that they will almost certainly end up more sucesful then them, it is pretty hard not to be racist. But that American has to realize that if he/she was born in those same conditions their chances of being sucessful would be much less than they are as an American. If there was a majority white country that was considered a third world country, i think Americans would realize that anyone can be born into poverty, and it isn't that they are any less of a human than we are, it is just chance that they were born there and we were born here
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There is definitely a very thin line between thinking that you have a better chance than someone else of making a change, and affecting the world, and being a racist. Living here in the States, and then visiting the developing countries, you can easily believe that the people here are better, or more special, or more worthy, or however you want to put it. The only thing is that, no intentions of making anyone feel guilty etc, a lot of us didn't really do anything to "deserve" to be here and enjoying all the privileges while there are a lot of people in those developing countries who are a lot more deserving, whether they are smarter, whether they are more hardworking etc. So, therefore, since we do live here and enjoy a better life than a lot of people there do, it is our responsibility to make that positive change, to affect the world in a positive way. In a perfect world, who knows where all of us will be? Maybe the people there would be in our places, maybe not. But since it is not a perfect world, and things are the way they are, it's true that those countries have a lesser chance of making a positive, "green" change to the world, but that is because they really can't do much. But we can, and that is why I think that we should all be responsible and work towards that.
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I feel like many people, including myself, are afraid to admit how they truly feel about this matter. People can say 'we're all equal, we're all just people.' But secretly we may think to ourselves how much more superior we are to others, and take hidden pride in that. On New year's eve of this past year, I ended up in a horrible situation, surrounded by people in a ghetto. With weapons in their pockets, and arms pulling me in various directions, I began screaming, more to myself, 'you're just people, you're just people,' over and over again. While these words were echoing throughout the neighborhood, inside I was thinking, this would never happen in my town, in my college town, in racial territory that of my own. That's racism. Although these people had complete control over what was going to happen to me that night, I still had an internal feeling of superiority. I’m better than you. I tried convincing myself that they were people, just like myself. But the more I said it, the more I felt it wasn't true, and the more they were insulted. I hope I never end up in a situation like that again, and I realize how lucky I am to have escaped scar-free. Physically at least.
As for people around the world, I know they are in dire need of help, and I would love to do anything I could to help them. Thinking about people all over the world, I don't consider myself bigger, better, wiser, prettier. However, I have also never been face-to-face with these people. And to be honest, I don't know how I would feel if I was. On new years eve, I was being attacked, and that led to my feeling of superiority. Now I have feelings of fear, and don't have any interest in returning there. But as far as people who are just simply desperate for my help, I would be disgusted with myself if I ever considered myself 'better.' I most definitely realize how lucky I am compared to most of the world though.
Ever since I was a child I’ve always wanted to help those less fortunate than myself. I saw myself growing up, making a family, and adopting children, even families. I wanted to share with them my world; my world that is not necessarily 'better,' but a healthier fit to their needs. I still want to do this when I begin to raise my own family.
I know that I've lived a very good life so far, and I am extremely lucky to be born into the majority society. With the power that I do have because of this lucky privilege, I want to help someone else. Not someone better or someone worse, just someone who wants my help.
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I mean I do not think you’re a racist, obviously. In our lives, we all get like that. We all get a little cocky. I know there have been many times where I have thought I was better than someone (bad, I know, oh well)—but we all do it. In your case, you were in lesser developed countries, so, of course, you would think you have more of a shot at life than they do…..because you do. But I see what you’re saying, there is a fine line between thinking you’re superior and acting superior (with actions/word etc.) I guess the line between the superiority feelings is basically if you would actually want to help these people develop and reach a level where they have a fighting chance (which I’m thinking if you were in a lesser developed country in the first place, then yea, you are empathetic). I don’t know, I think it’s mostly a thing everyone does— a lot of people try to be better than someone else: whether it is at sports, dress better, think you’re prettier, better looking, skinnier, cooler etc. It’s not one of our best traits, clearly, but as long we know the line between competitive and actually suppressing another type of person with our actions or words—then I think we are all going to be just fine.
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I guess what I think about this is that the line lies between thinking that you a better than a certain individual and thinking that your situation is better than that of another individual. The situation of every single one of us is better than the situation of people in third world counties, however, that is something that is out of the individual’s control. If you would take an individual from a third world country and put him in American and in a situation like yours and mine, he very well would probably be as successful as us. Therefore, I do not think that I am any better than individuals in developing countries, but I do think that I am in a better situation than them, which therefore will lead to me being more successful than them.
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I mean in a way I think this is the opposite of racism. Like you're ability to understand that you have been give an ability to change the world more than another person–not because it's your inherent right–but because of your socio-economic conditions you have been given the resources and ability to change the world more than another person– I think the ability to recognize that gives you the perspective of racism. That you are a part of it–not that you are necessarily racist. You know?
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its hard to understand this. People need to realize that anyone can be born anywhere. If an American was born in a third world country like Haiti or Ethiopia, they would have a much smaller chance of making something out of their lives. It just happens that a majority of all third world countries are inhabited by people that don't look white. They are all black, asian, or latino and therefore white Americans think that their worth more as a person because they can accomplish more. Even though it is pretty obvious that if anybody is born into the scenario that the average Haitian is, they most likely wont be too succesful in life, because they are given so little. The average American is given so much more than the average third world country resident, so of course they are going to have a better chance. It isn't that the average American is born smarter or better, he just has a better education system and has much more priveleges.
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This brings up a really good point that I have never really thought about before. When saying that you think you can do more to contribute to the world you technically are saying that you think you better than other people. However, I do not think that you are being racist. There is a very fine line between thinking you are better than other people and being racist. I think that if you were racist you would be saying that you are better than other people and can accomplish more than them and contribute more to the world because you have a different skin color than them or something to that sort. However, I honestly think that this guy is just being honest. I think that people in developing countries can contribute a lot to the world and have a lot to offer. I just think that sometimes people in developing countries do not have the opportunity or resources to contribute their great fortune to the world, and this is extremely unfortunate. I think that this student was trying to say that compared to people in developing countries he has a greater chance to go to college, further his career, and more access to resources that can help him contribute to the world. For most people in developing countries they are more concerned with working and trying to get enough money to support their families, therefore they do not have enough money to go to school or do things that would get them noticed enough to be able to contribute to the rest of the world. I think that people in say the United States are just more fortunate to be able to get to the sources that they need to help and contribute to the world. I think that this is very unfortunate because I think there are so many creative, intelligent people in developing countries that if they had the time, recourses, and access to the things they need then they could do amazing things that would help out the entire world. So I think that the better way to state this would not to say that he thinks he is better than the people in the developing countries but to say that he is fortunate enough to have the access and resources to and opportunity to accomplish great things and help our others. If it is stated somewhere along those lines I think it would be far away from the racism line. Also maybe he should say that he can affect the world in a greater way because that does seem a bit conceited or getting close to the racism line. Instead he should say that he has a better chance at making and impact on the world.
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I think the difference is, you are just thinking this. You think you have more to offer, and you may think you are better than someone else, but that does not mean you are against anyone proving you otherwise. That does not mean that when you meet someone you think you are better than, you do not hear what they have to say, and respect them for whom they are and what they believe. I think thinking this way is a natural part of being human. You have to have faith and confidence in yourself in order to get along in the world, and to be the best person you can be. A racist, however, would do whatever they could do, to make sure nobody proves you wrong.
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