Ok, my second question, for those that feel this statement is racist,
Is any positive statement about a race then also racist?
The dictionary definition of "racist" might indicate that it is:
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
2a
: a doctrine or political program based on the assumption of racism and designed to execute its principles
b
: a political or social system founded on racism
3
: racial
prejudice or discrimination
I would say that any blanket generalization about an entire group, whether positive or negative, could be considered "racist" - or at least (depending on how one defines the concept of "race" itself), "prejudiced," "biased," or "discriminatory."
I've noticed that the main focus of current dialogs on race and racism seem to revolve around what racism
isn't, as opposed to what it is. One side wants to tar the other as "racist," while the other side counters that "we're not racists, you're racists."
This is coupled with the fact that nobody ever actually admits to being racist, and nobody wants to be labeled as such. As a result, the argument degenerates into something no longer about racism, but more of a psychoanalytical examination as to whether or not someone is a racist. It requires a great deal of research and digging - going back to high school yearbooks from 30-40 years ago, perusing the media over the span of decades to find something - anything they can get. Analyze the inflections and hidden meanings - "what do you think he meant by that remark?"
That's what strikes me about this topic whenever it's brought up. It's more like a game of whack-a-mole than any kind of serious discussion on race relations.
I think what we need is a citizens committee which will make official declarations and pronouncements as to what/who is racist and what/who is not. No one among the hoi polloi would be allowed to label someone a racist without checking with the committee first. Political Correctness is often criticized for being arbitrary, random, and frivolous, but with a citizens committee with defined standards and due process, it might be considered fairer. The committee would be chosen much in the same way jury duty is conducted.