BNP and Racism

[sobrique]

OK 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.

Comments

[purp1e-magic.livejournal.com]

I think that yes, we are all prejudiced. Even those of us who try our best to approach things with an open mind. Racism, sexism, agism, homophobia etc... these are places where society at large has identified the problem. But what about prejudices against chavs, stupidity, Americans, girls who don't get dressed up, men who wear too much hair gel, people who speak with a broad accent, 'the kind of people who...' anything. Sometimes we have to have it pointed out to us that we're doing it.

We use social stereotyping to make sense of the world around us. We need to be able to glance at someone or hear them and make judgements. It's how our brains and bodies are designed. Someone who can't do that can't function well. You have to be able to see the young woman in a jogging suit and trainers and go "chav". Otherwise you can't make your social responses fit properly. But on the other hand, you also need to be able to say "Oh, whoops. Not Chav, PE teacher."

When you constantly automatically categorise everyone you see and judge them based on it it's very easy to become intolerant. "That group as a whole doesn't do things as I do, or see as I would." quickly becomes "they are wrong."