Would you consider me to be a racist?

Question

Please, I sincerely apologise if this diatribe offends anyone. Offence is sincerely not my aim here.

I am a white South African currently living in Britain. I have always been an extremely liberal, tolerant person. Pretty much everyone I know thinks of me the same way - in fact, my family often refer to me as "the hippie" because of my overly liberal attitude.

Very recently I have found that my opinions appear to be changing...

I have recently read of Julius Malema (of the ANC - South Africa's ruling political party) singing a song called "shoot the boer!" ("boer" translates directly to "white farmer", by the way). He is the leader of the ANC youth league, someone in high power in charge of impressionable young minds.

Winnie Mandela famously called out "one farmer one bullet" at her husband Nelson Mandela's presidential inauguration. This on what was supposed to be the dawn of South Africa's "renaissance".

South Africa's current president Jacob Zuma (while ruling a country that has the world's worst AIDS statistics) had unprotected sex with a partner he barely knew. He claims that it was ok because as soon as he was done he jumped into the shower and washed his genitals.

Jacob Zuma's predecessor Thabo Mbeki (also while ruling a country with the world's worst AIDS statistics) constantly maintained that there was absolutely no link between HIV and AIDS.

Nksozana Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa's former minister of health strenuously claimed that HIV and AIDS could be overcome by eating fresh garlic and African potatoes. I believe that while these products probably DO contain nutrients that are very beneficial, combatting HIV or AIDS is far beyond their capability.

My family are originally from Rhodesia (now called Zimbabwe). Robert Mugabe has systematically turned Zimbabwe (Africa's most prosperous country formerly known as "Africa's bread basket") to the world's worst economy OF ALL TIME. Apparently he blames this on a 23 year drought that coincidentally happened to start when he took office.

The international world seemed to be very happy when Robert Mugabe started reallocating white-owned farms to the native people regardless of the fact that they soon turned these farms to subsistence farms - one of the leading causes of the dire economy. If this is the right thing to do, why aren't American farmers being chased off their land (without ANY compensation) in favour of Native Americans?

A black politician in Britain (a first world country, a first world education) recently said "how can you call me racist? I'm black! You're being ridiculous, a black person can't be racist!". This she said shortly after referring to a fellow politician as a coconut (ie: brown on the outside, white on the inside).

Why is it that having an entirely white government is racist and wrong, but having an all black government is ok even when they clearly have racist tendencies and appear to be incompetent?

I know that I appear to be focusing on the negative and I apologise, but VERY little has appeared in the media that is positive. Having said all this, I would also like to state that when it comes to people in the general population I have absolutely no problems regarding race, colour or creed. My problem appears to be when people like this (who just so happen to usually be "of a slightly darker colour") do and say things like this when they are in a position of authority where they have a direct effect on my life.

When I hear things like this, it makes my blood boil. It makes me exceedingly angry. I can actually feel my blood pressure changing because these sorts of things are not isolated incidents. Does this make me a racist?

And before anyone tries to use Apartheid as a counter-argument, bear this in mind: Yes, the Apartheid government was GROSSLY unfair, biased and bigoted. Yes, the majority of the population was badly treated and badly educated. BUT I believe this has no bearing on my argument because it was the exact polar opposite of what is currently happening. NO MIDDLE GROUND (such as equality for ALL) HAS BEEN REACHED. Besides that, it was almost before my time (the horrendous Apartheid government came to an end when I was 12 years old) so I focus on what is happening now, during my time.

Answer 1

You like many others are a realist that sees what is happening yet when you speak up you get tarnished with the racist tag. The South African Government single handidly has kept the butcher called Mugabe in power. They have managed to make South Africa the most dangerous country in the world to live in.

While we all agree apartheid had to end, the reality of the ANC isn't that much better

Answer 2

You're absolutely not racist to have noticed this. There are a lot of racist people who aren't white. Some black people I have met hate whites and asians and most of the asians I have met are racist. Blacks seem to be using their past treatment as an excuse to now treat whites the same way and somehow legitimise it.

Answer 3

Uh... why would that make you racist?

Answer 4

It is becoming increasingly clear that there are a lot of double standards about. Crying 'racist' is generally done now by folk who are out for everything they can get their hands on - it isn't about establishing a fair system for all.



You are not the only one who has noticed this.

Answer 5

no you are not racist

Answer 6

I certainly don't think you're being racist. I think you're simply being observant and noticing things that maybe you hadn't noticed before. I tend to share similar views; I have observed racism from ALL races - none excluded. The comment "a black person can't be racist" made by the British politician may be one of the most ignorant I have ever heard. Racism stems from EVERY race, and people of every race have also been victims of racism.

Answer 7

No, you are not racist, just reacting to a current problem. Westerners are scared of appearing racist as they have been for a long time and so are ready to accept things that they shouldn't. A lot of "blacks" use this situation to be racist themselves because it is accepted. As long as you do not judge people before knowing the based on their race/skin color, you are not racist.

Answer 8

That Brit politicians summed it up: if you're black, you can't possibly be racist, no matter how many white people you persecute. And, conversely, if you're white, you can't be anything but racist.

Answer 9

It is near impossible to not be racist on some level.

Answer 10

You are not racist for observing and speaking the truth which some people find unpalatable.

Answer 11

No,you are NOT a racist for expressing your views in the manner you have done.You are right in pointing out the situation in Zimbabwe and South Africa and the the obviously racist attitudes of some of the African leaders in those countries and the noticeable silence about this from the "liberal" press in the West.



I would suggest that you keep faith in your values and persevere for equality and justice for everyone by calmly and rationally working to bring about the change you hope for;.Remember Gandhi's sayings -"Be the change you want to see in the world." and his other famous saying" An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind."

KEEP HOPE.

Answer 12

You-know what mate, I neither know nor care, I think your somebody who is a little pissed-off with the world, and from the bits I've read from your Q I can't say as I blame you.



All I can say is when people get into an habit of hating someone because of the colour of their skin, they don't usually lose-it overnight it usually stops with em for the rest of their life, some of em or most of em the brightest, are wise enough to use a bit common sense and logic to get by this in life, and the others, well they just carry on hating, and hating, and hating, and hating............... sad really but then again that's life.

Answer 13

If I was a policeman in Brixton and late at night I had to stop someone randomly in the hope of discovering a crime, I would pick a black person as I think I might have more luck. If I was looking for a racist in a similar random choice test, I would pick a white South African over any other national everytime.



I can be prejudice. If you annoy me I might pick on you for being different, whether it is skin colour, being fat, gay, old, ugly, having crooked teeth, anything. But that is stupidity and ignorance, not racism. Racism is where you believe that one race (usually your own) is superior and of more value than another. In my experience, a lot white South Africans do the latter really well.

Answer 14

Im not exactly sure what your question is? I believe your wondering if others perceive you as racist . So here is my opinion (strictly based on your above argument).



I think there is somewhat of an undertone of racism when you use words like:



"when people like this"



"them" - it appears like your thinking in terms of "them" vs. "us"



(mainly in the 3rd paragraph from the bottom)



Overall, many of the issues you have mentioned are definitely questionable and grounds for anger, although, when your "blood is boiling" on account of them, you might want to consider the incidents throughout history that make black people's "blood boil" due to the corruption of the white man.



Im sure right now your thinking, that was the past, or it doesn't make it right - but these matters can't be overlooked, especially in places like Africa, where resentment and suffering are still persistent - and understandably so. I am not saying this justifies "reverse racism", although it highlights a long history of people making judgments, categorizing, discriminating, killing... etc. people based on their race and culture.



Therefore, in all cases, one should refrain from an us. vs them way of thinking - and focus more on people harming people. Otherwise, I can see some of your reasons for being frustrated.

Answer 15

Oh no your right! If I made WET and only white people could be on it then I would be shot dead the first day. I do have to say bough that blacks feelthat they have had hardships because of their skin color so BET was a big milestone for them. So I don't know really. Whites pretty much own fox news.

Answer 16

not a racist but here in america we call this a double standard

Answer 17

Yes.

Answer 18

yes