Posted by pinksharkmark (196.27.27.96) on February 01, 2001 at 15:22:08:
In Reply to: *Shrug* I can't posted by Ted on February 01, 2001 at 14:16:50:
Obviously you disagree with my definition of racism. Feel free to provide another.
By the definition I supplied, your statement was racist, since you had no evidence whatsoever to presume that Daniel harbors resentment for human life other than the fact that he is South African. By your deliberate use of the word "apartheid", you made it unmistakably clear that your characterization of his "resentment for human life" was due to his heritage.
"Are you really suggesting that a history is never appropriate to bring up once the laws change..."
1) In the context of what was being discussed (your belief that Daniel is trying to scam us), yes, it was inappropriate to bring up the history of South Africa. It has no relevance to the issue at hand whatsoever. Even if he was born and raised in Cleveland you would still believe he is trying to scam us, right?
2) "...and that mysteriosly everyone is no longer bad people?? "
What leads you to assume that "everyone" was bad in the first place? People are people. Some held beliefs that were in accord with the official government policy of the time, some obviously did not, or there would still be an official policy of apartheid in South Africa today. Undoubtedly those who supported apartheid when it was the law of the land feel it was a mistake to end it.
What evidence do you have that Daniel is one of those people? None. The unmistakable implication of your statement was that he lives in South Africa, THEREFORE automatically he harbors resentment to human life.
If he lived in Cleveland, you would not have stated that he harbors resentment to human life. If he lived in Sweden, you would not have stated that he harbors resentment for human life. If he lived in Italy, you would not have stated that he harbors resentment for human life.
No, it was the fact that he lives in South Africa that led you to state that he harbors resentment for human life. That fact, and nothing more. Therefore, your statement was racist.
pinky