View Full Version : Sexism is more accepted in its overt form. Racism is accepted in its covert form.
So I've been reading a bunch of articles here and there suggesting that sexism is more acceptable than racism. I wouldn't quite deny that. I have even seen MRAs take serious offense at accusations of racism within their predominantly white movement. But I've come across other people conclude that intolerance to racism means that racism no longer exists or is at least more seriously fought against, when the reality is that racism is just as prevalent, only it is manifested and employed in covert forms, whereas sexism is accepted in its blatant, overt forms. Just describing my opinions in the most basic terms. Would you agree with this view? How would you explain it?
This is not about turning oppression into a contest. It makes no sense to think of it in terms of "sexism vs. racism" since most forms of discrimination are deeply intertwined and feed off each other, which is the point I'm trying to get at. I was hoping someone could better articulate and provide explanations for these phenomena. How do we relate this back to class, for instance? How exactly does capitalism enable this phenomena?
Ritzy Cat
27th May 2014, 07:15
it really depends on where one is. A lot of people (including myself) subliminally look at people originally based on their race. I do not know how to not do it. I do not treat them any differently, I do not talk to them differently, but notice how I am saying "them". The first thing I notice about a person is their skin color. I guess that's the only thing I can notice, before I have even met them, talked to them, etc. I do not make judgments on their goals, background, intent, etc. but when I approach a black person I say in my mind "He's black", or thus with any other appearance.
However, especially in places like the American South or many countries that have had trouble handling their ethnic minorities, racism can be overt, and at many times, condoned by the governments.
Sexism I would agree is fairly overt. Many males are not silent in their aims to "subdue" women, and the fact that such a big debate on rape exists (victim blaming, rape culture) is essentially almost a sexist / anti-sexist debate.
Capitalism can reinforce the stereotypes associated with any of these cases. Many people will judge Hispanic or African-American groups with lower-income, and thus expect less monetarily from them or something of that sort. Capitalism makes this possible by the simple fact money exists... Without currency, and everyone is guaranteed an equal chance to contribute to the society, race would not be an issue in that aspect. As the global revolution continues, we may someday come across a time when there are no "national" identities, or "continental" identities, like one being from "Africa". Thus, we wouldn't really have anything to dub the discriminated groups... in the case of racism at least.
synthesis
27th May 2014, 07:32
Can you provide some links to these articles? I don't mean that in an argumentative way; I'm just curious to see what perspective people are coming from that they would say that racism is less of a problem than sexism.
Measuring overtness is subjective. Is a lynching more overt than denying women the right to vote?
Wuggums47
8th July 2014, 07:00
I agree with you on this, it seems like racism is ingrained into some people. The other day my grandma said if she had a bad hair day she would "wrap her head and pretend to be an Arab". I know she doesn't harbor any actual resentment for any race, she just really didn't know that saying things like that is racist. She married a non hungarian at a time where it wasn't acceptable so it confuses me when she says stuff like that.
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