Do you think it's racist if not necessarly all but most people of another race all look the same?

[Anonymous]

This question is inspired by an episode of the Chapelle show where a white girl sings Dave thoughts from cue cards. And Dave said all white and Asian people look alike to him.

Do you think this is just a natural thing the we are subconsciously predisposed to see the details in our own races more than others?

[menina]

It's funny, I was thinking about this today.

Yes, I think it's not only racist but also stupid. To me it's the same as believing in racial stereotypes. Just because you know someone from a certain race who acts in a certain way it doesn't mean that all people from that race will act the same.

People have different features and a different way to present themselves. just because they have the same skin color or the same features it doesn't mean they're same. They aren't.

[Asker]

I disagree. I think it's just ingrained in us. Or at least while it may SEEM racist it's not deliberate. I mean if you grew up white only being exposed to white or black only being exposed to black you are just more familiar to that race.
I guess it would be good for me to talk to someone who's white but only grew up around blacks. Or black that only grew up around white to see how they see it.
Because I don't think it's racism. I think it's just familiarity. Because I don't Dave is racist.

[menina]

I agree with familiarity, but I still don't see it as not being racist. I'm not sure if this what you meant, but it might be a form of racism that you're not aware of. You're not being racist on purpose.

Don't know if it helps you but I'm black and I grew up in a country where about 98% of the population is white.

[Asker]

Oh, so you can't relate to the question then. I see.

[menina]

Yes I can and I find it interesting.

[Asker]

No, because by your own admission you grew up just around white people.
Let me ask you something what race of men do you typically date?

[menina]

Yes, I grew up around white people. I don't date any race of men since I've never had a boyfriend.

[Asker]

OK, but you're not gay I assume. So you know who you find attractive. Is thier a race of men you're particularly drawn to more than another?

[menina]

No, I'm not gay. Well yes, I'm usually more attracted to white men and I don't know why.

[Asker]

So does that mean you're just a little racist towards your own race? ya see what I'm saying? You're conditioned (imho) to prefer them based on your life experience.

[menina]

No, it doesn't. I guess I'm getting your point. However, my sisters grew up in the same country as me and they prefer black men. They never dated a white man.
I don't think I'm conditioned, there are black men where I live. I'm just weird...

[jennifer_bloom]

I don't think it's wrong to not understand other cultures or notice the peculiarities about them - it's rude to assume bad things about somebody when you see a visual cultural opposite.

[Asker]

Agreed. But the question specifically was does it make somebody racist when the see a different race and they tend to look alike to you. I referenced Dave Chapelle because I don't think he's racist. But he said Asians and white people, and for that matter pretty much anyone who isn't black looks alike to him. I know some people might use this question to be hurtful. I'm not! And as races continue to mix this'll become less and less a thing. But it does make me wonder if most people are like this to a degree. Based on there upbringing. I mean I was raised in a very white Midwest area. I love every race. But I have admit I probably see more diversity in my own race. @menina has suggested that maybe it's racism that the person isn't even aware of. I'm not saying it's not possible. But I don't feel I'm racist nor do I feel Dave Chapelle is. So do you think it's a familiarity issue? Based on your answer it would suggest you do.
I really should have made this question a poll. But I wanted varying opinions. Not prepackaged answers.

[lightbulb27]

they don't look the same when you look and learn. Is it racist... no, it's just shallow.

Dave isn't black enough to answer like that... just kidding.

Even dogs look similar, or cats. But you get to know them, they are very different.

I much prefer differentiation about personality, character, values. That's where the "meat" of the discussions are and should be.

[Asker]

I agree I kind of feel like it has more to do with people's familiarity. Yes shallow, I mean it's like when you truly know someone deeply. You can remember every mark and blemish on thier face. Because you're used to seeing them smile, laugh, cry, etc.

[lightbulb27]

yes true. I had two cats that were nearly identical looking and people often confused them. Their personalities were worlds apart. There is "catism" out there so be careful, but it's really "person... or rather catonality". They are all unique, eventhough they follow similar patterns of being cats.

I wish our society would spend more time arguing about cats and dogs... then we'd realize how silly we are with the rest of the crap that is dividing us.

[Asker]

I know you're talking cats. But I'm giving you MHO because I think this example you give hits the nail on the head.

[LimitedBenefits101]

Asian do look the same tho

[Asker]

Are you not Asian I take it? Because that's my point. I think what you're familiar with has a lot to do with it.

[LimitedBenefits101]

Are you saying Asians dont look alike?

[Asker]

Probably not to other Asians. Because They're most familiar with eachother. That was my whole point I was trying to make.