Anti-Generalizations or Anti-Racism, Anti-Sexism, Anti-Ageism and Anti-Regionalism.
Some
define racism as a negative stereotyping. This work goes further.
Here, racism is defined as ANY generalization based on race.
Generalizations can be positive, benign, or negative. But any
generalization is dangerous. Generalizations based on race, or racism
judges a whole race versus individuals. Racial slurs are nigger,
coon, spearchucker, jungle bunny, darkie, blackie, whity, gringo,
janqui (yankee), digger, aussie, honky, white-trash, chink, chinaman,
gook, nip, jap, haimy, kike, boush, kraut, wet back, spick, red skin,
mackeral snapper, limey, snail lover, frog, (gaijin), and many
others. This 'dirty' part of this writing is to educate to actual
words used. There is much more. By using the definition, words that
refer to race are just as racist , including White, Black, Caucasian,
Negro, African-American, Colored, 'People of Color', Hispanic, South
Asian, East Asian, American-Indian, Inuit, Ancestrally Indigenous
Native American, Jew, Gentile, Gaijin. 'THEY
ARE…'
is a beginning of a generalization.
Another way to say:
People are NOT DEMOGRAPHICS and can't represent a demographic. Only
judge an INDIVIDUAL! There's no 'THEY'.
Don't
Be a Sucker (1947) - Clip from Anti Racist Short Film - YouTube
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to Homepage
If
you must judge, judge only individuals. As defined, racism divides
and segments. We need unity, not division. Having a discussion of
race is for racists because it is a non-issue for non-racists. Sadly,
a myriad of media are racist including books, magazines and
television programs that focus on racial issues pour out
generalizations about the specific races. Again, this is divisive
versus the need for unity with diversity. But don't fall into the
trap that one can judge diversity by race, for this is racist.
One example of racism is that February is 'Black History' month in the U. S. Sadly, this is due to great people of history not having the fame due to them. There is no 'Black' history, for it is all 'history'. It is an atrocity to education and history to exclude any great person who deserves fame.
Common racist (or basically generalist) phrases: That's a/an (insert here) neighborhood. That's a/an (insert here) issue. It's a/an (insert here) T. V. show/radio show, (etc.). That's a/an (insert here) magazine/newspaper/book/radio station/T. V. station. Let the (insert here) people deal with their own people. Only (insert here) can solve that problem. (insert here) America. A/ An (insert here) can't win in a (insert here) (insert here place). I was the only (insert here) on the bus/airplane (etc.)… at the park/restaurant/meeting/apartment/house, (etc). (insert here) are responsible for (issue). What's it like to be (insert here). Since they are (insert here), they think that…
Sexism.
A generalization about a gender is sexism. . 'THEY ARE…' is a beginning of a generalization. What has been said here about racism can be said of sexism. Sexism is divisive, we need unity.
Ageism
A generalization about age is ageism. 'THEY ARE…' is a beginning of a generalization. What has been said here about racism can be said of ageism. Ageism is divisive, we need unity.
Regionalism.
A generalization about a people of a region is regionalism. . 'THEY ARE…' is a beginning of a generalization. What has been said here about racism can be said of regionalism. Regionalism is divisive, we need unity.
Generalizations Are the Problem
The real key to all this is generalizations. People who make and believe racist comments will often believe in sexism, ageism, regionalism, and other generalizations. Generalized mindset is the problem. Until we eliminate a generalizing mindset, racism, sexism, ageism, regionalism and other prejudice will continue. People have to decide to change. No person can force change of another. The purpose of this writing is to educate and bring some type of change. People who have a firmly generalized mindset think that they are irrefutable correct in their generalization beliefs. So one of the few things this writing can do is teach whether a person makes generalizations and have the mindset. If a person knows that the person has this linear mindset, this can be a beginning, for person can only control what one understands.
All people are my people. The people from Morris Jessup, Greenland to the people to Tierra Del Fuego are my people. My people are from the tip of Portugal to Bering Strait. All people, all humankind, are my people.
Further Treatise From an Email (edited):
Antisocial people-people who are devious, mean-spirited, cruel, hostile or negative. People who oppose you, treat you with disrespect and cause you trouble.
"When we trace the cause of a failing business, we will inevitably discover somewhere in its ranks the antisocial personality hard at work."
"It is important then to examine and list the attributes of the antisocial personality. Influencing as it does the daily lives of so many, it well behooves* decent people to become better informed on this subject."
-- L. Ron Hubbard (*behooves: to be necessary or proper for)
One of the most famous antisocial personalities was Adolf Hitler. Hitler loved children and pets. He was a vegetarian who neither smoked nor drank. He was kind and considerate to the ladies, secretaries and chauffeurs. People thought Hitler was a nice guy, yet he ordered the deaths of millions.
Most antisocial personalities are not famous. In fact, they are rarely
obvious.
Antisocial personalities can be anyone: doctors, lawyers, politicians, business leaders, police officers, newspaper reporters, employees, men, women, old, young . . . anyone. They can be family members, spouses and colleagues. You probably know a few antisocial people.
When antisocial people are openly nasty or critical of you, you know who they are. They say, "You are a stupid idiot" or "That idea of yours is the worst idea I've ever heard." They stab you in your chest, not your back.
However, the worst types of antisocial persons are those who hide their true intentions. They stab you in the back so you can't catch them. They say, "Everyone thinks your ideas are silly" or "I heard a rumor the police might be investigating you" or "You look so tired; why don't you take a vacation?"
Antisocials make you ill. For example, you are enjoying your day and getting a lot done. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, you feel a little upset. Your stomach and head hurt.
So you review who just talked to you. Mary gave you a report and made a nice comment about the weather. Fred asked to borrow your pen and was very polite. The computer guy needed to look at your computer and told you how everyone hates your new software.
You think, "What was the computer guy talking about? Why did he waste so much of my time? And why are the computers always having problems? I'd better watch out for this guy."
Suddenly, you feel better. You have spotted an antisocial person. Your day is pleasant again.
L. Ron Hubbard identified certain characteristics of the antisocial person.
The first way to spot them is to notice how they speak.
Generalities "The antisocial personality has the following attributes:
"1. He or she speaks only in very broad generalities. They say . . .''Everybody thinks . . .' 'Everyone knows . . .' and such expressions are in continual use, particularly when imparting rumor." -- L. Ron Hubbard
Have you ever been to a meeting when someone said, "We're all having troubles because of the government," "People don't like anyone who's too successful" or "Everyone in this area is having a rough time"? These are generalities.
Whenever you hear a statement that starts, "Everyone says . . . " or "All the citizens feel . . . " or "The employees think . . . ," you must perk up your ears. You have just heard the beginning of a generality.
When the message is negative, the speaker is pointing a knife at you. "No one believes your little act." "Everyone thinks the pay is too low." "No one wears their hair like that any more."
One reason the news media is such a bad influence on society is because of their generalities. Just listen to the news or read a newspaper and you see generalities. "America was shocked and saddened . . ." "Sources revealed that . . ." "Critics wonder why . . ."
How to Respond
"When asked, 'Who is everybody . . .' it normally turns out to be one source and from this source the antisocial person has manufactured what he or she pretends is the whole opinion of the whole society." -- L. Ron Hubbard
Example:
You: "Nancy, you say everyone thinks I make too much money. Who exactly?"
Nancy: "Oh, uh, well, you know, everyone I talk to. It's common knowledge."
You: "Can you tell me who exactly?"
Nancy: "I don't know, I can't remember. I'll ask around."
You: "Okay, but if no one really said it, you need to stop saying things like that to me."
Examples: "Patty and Joan want raises", "Steve loved your speech."
Even if the social personality is passing bad news, it is not upsetting. For example, "Kelly and Roger closed their business so they could help their son produce documentaries. " An anti-social would say, "Everyone's business is going down the tubes, just like Kelly and Roger's."
(Web Owner: I don't recommend this. The person decides to change & I can only facilitate change.)
Recommendation
Every time you hear a generality regarding bad news this week, reject the information. Assume the person is either careless or antisocial. Instead, ask, "Who is everybody?" or "Who exactly?"