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BNP and Racism
Oct. 23rd, 2009 09:06 amOK so the BNP/question time discussion has triggered a bit of debate today in the office.
The subject of discussion - everyone is deep down a 'racist' - we're deep down hardwired to reject the things that are different. Fight the people from other tribes, and purge the 'deviants'. That's what worked when we were cavemen, and it is what drives 'racism' and 'bullying of goths' and the like today.
That caveman instinct is one we have to overcome - the 'natural state' of humanity is to be prejudiced - be it racist, sexist, homophobic, ageist or just generally rejecting 'alternative' culture.
I'm not entirely sure what I think. I think I can see the logic - there is something to overcome, but with a little bit of thought we realise that sort of thing is a relic of the past - racism is as obselete as going and clubbing mammoths to death for food.
The subject of discussion - everyone is deep down a 'racist' - we're deep down hardwired to reject the things that are different. Fight the people from other tribes, and purge the 'deviants'. That's what worked when we were cavemen, and it is what drives 'racism' and 'bullying of goths' and the like today.
That caveman instinct is one we have to overcome - the 'natural state' of humanity is to be prejudiced - be it racist, sexist, homophobic, ageist or just generally rejecting 'alternative' culture.
I'm not entirely sure what I think. I think I can see the logic - there is something to overcome, but with a little bit of thought we realise that sort of thing is a relic of the past - racism is as obselete as going and clubbing mammoths to death for food.
