whirlingmerc
Well-Known Member
This was an observation by Eric Metaxis. But why are politicians increasingly likely to say somethign is bad but not try and explain why?
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Why is there an increasing trend to say racism is bad but not try and explain why in the US
- Thread starter whirlingmerc
- Start date
Do we need to aways explain why racism is bad every time we denounce it? Not that we should shrink from such a philosophical discussion, but such an obvious thing should not need explaining every time we discuss the topic.
Slogans and rhetoric have propaganda value in elections to sell candidates to voters as a form of marketing. Certain words like "racism", "extremism", "family values", "our way of life" etc, are not defined and so people can project their own meaning on to them as a reason to vote for politicians. These words are valued for their emotional value and having them repeated on 24/7 news helps "define" who politicians are in public consciousness without actually commiting them to policies.
Saying something is "bad" taps into people's emotions. Explaining why it is bad is going to be less popular because it's more precise, and therefore limits appeal. Worse, it may challenge people's prejudices and preconceptions of a problem- also not very popular because no one likes being told they are wrong. And even worse than that- it could turn into very abstract, precise discussion involving lots of facts and figures that are not easy to remember or show the "complexity" of a problem and "uncertainty" round their solutions- leaving everyone very confused and not sure what their political loyalties or perceived realities are.
As sick as it sounds, the methods of corporate manipulation and marketing are borrowed for electioneering; politicians and political parties are treated like brands in a market place. They need "brand recognition" of being associated with particular policies and positions, whilst also having "consumer loyalty" based on attachment to a candidates "values". To do this, they have to tap into people's emotions- there hopes and fears about themselves, friends and family, local communities, the future, etc.
On the one hand, this is highly effective tool for politicians to win elections particularly if they target swing voters, marginal constituencies and states. On the other hand it undermines the democratic process because it manipulates people and is very cynical, encourages political ignorance and highly irrational and emotionally driven electoral habits and political thinking and is probably part of the reason why politics is so polarised.
It just easy to sell a candidate to people who says "racism is bad" rather than someone who says why racism is bad. Being "intellectual" can appear elitist or alienating and make people feel inferior when instead they want to feel "comfortable" with their leaders as the kind of people who you could have a beer with, having charisma or sex appeal or could trust with their kids future. So in the end politics get reduced to slogans to both simplify and sell ideas to voters as consumers.
Politicians are cardboard people sometimes. If you look at them from the side... There is no real genetic 'Race' between humans. We are all the same species not several. Racism is a powerful tool for politicians both when they are creating it and when they are denouncing it, and race is a powerful delusion used to excuse treating other people badly.
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Politictions don't look at, or refuse to acknowledge the systemic reasons and causes. It's easier just to throw money at it or get heavyhanded with impunity.
Things like race issues, if it provides no benefit or leverage to themselves, are of no importance compared to other ambitions they may have for themselves.
Things like race issues, if it provides no benefit or leverage to themselves, are of no importance compared to other ambitions they may have for themselves.
The reason is that its evil is considered to be self-evident. It will lead to the bad treatment of others.
However, I think the word 'racism' is thrown around way too loosely in the U.S.. There is far less racism than claimed in my opinion.
The terms "racist" and "racism" have more than one meaning, and each one of their meanings is controversial to one camp of people or another. Thus, if I were a politician, and I wanted to turn off as few people as possible to my message, I might be inclined to condemn racism without, however, saying which meaning of the word I was using, for fear of getting one camp or another up in arms against me.
By the way, racism can mean individual prejudice, discrimination, or bigotry against someone base on their race. Conservatives tend to favor that meaning. But racism can also mean systemic or structural discrimination against people based on their race. Liberals tend to favor the latter meaning. There are people in each camp who look at the other camp's preferred meaning as bogus, and then get all hot and excited that the other camp is "misusing" words.
Are you saying words have proper and improper meanings, Esmith? If so, who determines their proper meanings? God? You? You and God in committee? And is the dictionary your infallible voice and holy scriptures?
How are you defining "racism"?
Fair question. Just quickly I'll go with; a belief in one's racial superiority leading to less than equal treatment of the perceived inferior race
Mercy Not Sacrifice
Well-Known Member
The problem is that any discussion of race, privilege, or systems of power--hell, the mere mention of any of these--triggers some people way too easily. For instance, you can't even put the word "privilege" after the word "white" without triggering someone, somewhere. It is very, very difficult to have honest discussions about race and racism when the defensiveness is that swift.
tytlyf
Not Religious
I don't mind the word racist being thrown around, far too many racist white people still in America. Mostly people who grew up during the 40's through the 60's. Their racism and stereotypes will die with them. The younger generations aren't close to them in the racist category. As a white person, I understand who our problem people are in America.
esmith
Veteran Member
First I don't get where you are coming from when you bring religion or lack of religion into the discussion. But if you want to go there, I don't think God gives a rat's *** what we do.
Second I'm not sure what you mean by "proper and improper" meaning. Why don't you enlighten us with what you mean.
Third the term racism, as far as I'm concerned exactly what the Merriam Webster Dictionary gives as a definition
Full Definition of racism
- 1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
- 2 : racial prejudice or discrimination
Now I have little or no respect for this President and others of the African-American/black race. However I do have a considerable amount of respect for others of the African-American/black race. So does my lack of respect and or disagreement with this President or others of the African-American/black race make me a racist? The answer is no. However, there are those that take that line because that it is their only option because they don't have any other defense to present.
What I am saying is that the term racist/racism is too easily attached to a person if they disagree with another person when the other person is of a different race.
If you have a problem with the above. That's your problem not mine.
Did you say something, Esmith? Perhaps something along the lines of a rant?
esmith
Veteran Member
Well now someone get up on the wrong side of the bed? Seems like you didn't like the answer. Oh well that is understood.
meghanwaterlillies
Well-Known Member
I'm also using proof..
Its meant to give one sided anger issues, in media, then to set the other side off. It's is usury. While varying people could be, some racist and stay out knowing it's not worth the reasons to part take of politics, and while some others who stay out of the race wars but also notice that it's possibly a conspiracy to make a none conspiracy become something ridiculous. People get all upset for those who care to look into it. They often try to recreate a lie and jerk a chain when they don't have one. hmmm. They get angry at people who look into conspiracies and angry at the people who stay out of the race wars even if they are partial. They love a political environment slightly unsteady. For example I went downtown and got off the elevator and the intercom is preaching anti-Semitism. I was like what the f. Where??? and it didn't make sense. It made more sense to think there's a conspiracy to create a conspiracy. So whatever right? What if I looked into that? Because there wasn't any of that going on but they were preaching that so. If you want to lie enough you might achieve some unsteady political results and gain, at least they think so. Media and some funded programs usually are the usury. Its also used to take away peoples happy concerns. (that's in general; its nothing like I saw a post on here as a side note (why Americans are so angry) someone actually broke it down into general reasons that's pretty much why anyone anywhere could be angry. While some posted that it was because of Christians,(mostly there is a lack of Christians preaching steady home) So I'll say no, its more funded groups, in the name of sometimes so called peace, people paid to picket signs that are so ridiculous, preach tolerance as they are intolerant. Over use the idea of grace to mean whatever goes or then use extreme judging tactics. Which I'll be honest it has nothing to do with your Christianity. In any place that's just POLITICS. Slightly bad tactic ideas. Also over indulgent pushes for more immigration to cause way more problems to ago around not enough butter to spread; just too prove a one-sided view is like listening to a person nag that its never enough.
Some said its just "normal behavior" around election. I disagree with that. Wolf- ing philosophy via raising the idea of old crap it also happens in religions too whether Christian when its more political then at the heart and home of the issue.
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Parchment
Active Member
I prefer to look at their voting records
meghanwaterlillies
Well-Known Member
Maybe next go to the concierge, and meerkat that entire building and outside looking for the anti-semitis they talked about.. LOL this post is serious though. Because there wasn't anything like that at the time until they want to make a lie maybe. Maybe they are worried about something, so I say don't get mad if people choose to stay out of it or some then think there is a conspiracy to create a conspiracy, a conspiracy, or JUST LOOKING INTO IT. For the record today is 8/29/2016.
For something which doesn't exist, it sure does persevere.