Is it racist to evaluate cultures?

Racism vs. Culturalism

Published on November 27, 2006 By Draginol In Philosophy

One of the ongoing issues people who want to discuss the nature of Islam or other cultures is that inevitably, someone will come on and accuse everyone else of being "racists". The goal of calling people racists is always the same -- to prevent a given topic from being discussed.

I am not a racist. But I don't really care if people think I am. If someone wants to think I'm some sort of bigot because I'm not a fan of Islam then I'm perfectly okay with that. The reason being, I only care about the opinions of people who matter to me. And the opinions of dumb people don't matter to me at all. Someone who thinks a culture and a race are interchangeable is not someone whose opinion I value.

Personally, I find racism not just loathsome, but foolish. If you discriminate people based on their race, you are missing out. As an evil capitalist, I wish there was more racism because it would give me, since I'm not racist, an economic advantage by allowing me to hire even better talent. But racism isn't nearly as widespread as most people think today. I can't imagine any company not hiring someone because of the color of their skin these days.

But culturalism is a different matter. If race is the hardware, culture is the software. And I think some cultures are inferior to others. I'm a culturalist. I don't like Islam whether it is practiced by caucasians, arabs, or africans because I think, as a whole, it promotes violence.

While researching for this article, I found an article (linked at bottom) that talks about this issue. Different cultures achieve different levels of achievement and prosperity.

Now, some people might argue that who are we to say that those are measurements are valid measurements of what one society "better" than another. Insomuch as they are also probably the same people who would argue that living in mom's basement until they're 40 doesn't mean that person is a failure. I mean, we wouldn't want to be judgmental right?

I happen to be a big fan of western culture. It has created relative wealth and propserity and freedom for its citizens. While it's not perfect and has a checkered past as it has evolved, looking at where it is today I can say "Not bad."

But when trying to come up with tangible solutions to complex problems, it's not helpful when people start equating racism with culturalism. If we're not willing to stand up for our own culture, then we deserve what we get.

Culture is something we choose (though most people are not aware that they're choosing). Race is something we're born with genetically. And like hardware, no matter how good it is, if you put inferior software on it, you'll end up with a poorer experience.

Comments (Page 2)

highbass

on Nov 29, 2006

sure you arent racist for evaluating culture... but there is a thin line between prejudice and cultural 'evaluation'

ThinkAloud

on Nov 29, 2006

(Anonymous User) The first point from Islam that becomes relevant here is the belief that the world around us is transitory>

This point is not just from Islam. All threr religions say that.

Great analogy with the "Matrix" except the fact that one side of reality in it was imaginary trying to hide the "real" one. In the three religions, God did not decieve us, he said both here and the hereafter are real and the second is a continuation of the first. in fact if we ignore the "here" and dont do anything in it we get nothing in the "hereafter". The here is real and we were asked to work and do good in it not just believe passively in the oness of God. good work is part of the belief system. the here is not a hypothetical, it is as real as the hereafter. The funny thing about all this is the fact that HE says BOTH were created by HIM from Nothingness. And that is where His Majesty becomes overwhelming to the mere humans like us. Quantum Mechanics explains a little how that could be done, but we still a looooong way from understanding the full reality. HE promised to lift that veil from over our eyes in the hereafter and we will be able to see the full reality. till then, he told us keep searching in HIS universe and learn as much as we can and one day we will see it.

Otherwise, well said.

Zoologist03

on Nov 29, 2006

Hopefully you are the future.
Thanks for an education.

Eh...I try...you know how it is.

~Zoo

ThinkAloud

on Nov 29, 2006

Draginol: Well I fully admit to being anti-Islam. I'm not anti-Muslim which is a distinct difference. >

To be Anti anything, means that you oppose it and that you are against it. on the other hand, saying something is "crummy" means you only dislike it. Here lies the great difference.

To Oppose and be against something is a position of aggression toward that something, you should have a ligitimate reason for doing that otherwise you will be committing an agrression against that something and it will have the right to defend itslef against your aggression.

Islam does not give anyone any reason to be against it. it does not even force anyone to accept it. In fact when its prophet got sad and annoyed with himself because most of his own tribe rejected him and his message, Allah told him, don't bother yourself with them "are you going to force people to believe". It is more reasonable to say that you are Anti-muslim fanatics than to say you are anti-Islam. Muslim fanatics give people reasons to be against them. not Islam. Look it up.

Michael Shermer

on Nov 29, 2006

www.ted.com/tedtalks/tedtalksplayer.cfm?key=m_shermer

Chico

on Nov 30, 2006

Saying that your anti a particular culture is not racism. true. So you are just bigoted against certain cultures or religions. Bundling groups of people together based on a culture you know very little about except what you see from extremist elements is basically wrong. Anyone ever see "Jesus Camp"? Fundamentalist Christian extermists are not any more representative of the average Christian as Muslim extremists are of the average muslim. Acts of certain Christians DO represent violence (ever heard of the Crusades,ever been to Beirut, ever seen an abortion clinic bombing?) this violence is just as ugly as any other . But I am sure you would not say I fully admit to being anti-Christianity because of this.

Draginol

on Dec 02, 2006

To Oppose and be against something is a position of aggression toward that something, you should have a ligitimate reason for doing that otherwise you will be committing an agrression against that something and it will have the right to defend itslef against your aggression.

Islam does not give anyone any reason to be against it. it does not even force anyone to accept it. In fact when its prophet got sad and annoyed with himself because most of his own tribe rejected him and his message, Allah told him, don't bother yourself with them "are you going to force people to believe". It is more reasonable to say that you are Anti-muslim fanatics than to say you are anti-Islam. Muslim fanatics give people reasons to be against them. not Islam. Look it up.

The last 30+ years of aggression by people doing extreme violence in the name of Islam has given me ample reason to be against Islam.

Unfortunately for you, individuals, not you, define what constitutes acceptable levels of "reason" to be against something.

I believe that there is something in the nature of Islamic culture that causes an unacceptable percentage of those who follow it to turn towards violence against non-believers. I think the problem is Islam, the ideology itself.

Similarly, I believe Nazism and Communism tended to result in the same kind of thing.

Saying that your anti a particular culture is not racism. true. So you are just bigoted against certain cultures or religions.

Correct. I am bigoted against certain cultures and religions.

Bundling groups of people together based on a culture you know very little about except what you see from extremist elements is basically wrong.

Why is it left wingers must always act as characterures? Here's a clue: People can be quite educated on a given subject and still have a different opinion than you have. Unless you can provide evidence that I know "very little about Islam" then you should reconsider your words.

When you define ignorance as having opinons that differ from yours, it's time to reconsider your position.

bakerstreet

on Dec 02, 2006

"Correct. I am bigoted against certain cultures and religions. "

...and before anyone finds fault with that, ponder what is said about "the religious right" around here. Consider all the diatribes against WASPy America. I think if anyone has a problem with someone who has bias against Islamic culture, they should evaluate their feelings about the constant bias against American protestant 'crusader' culture.

jennifer1

on Dec 17, 2006

But cultural-ism is a different matter. If race is the hardware, culture is the software. And I think some cultures are inferior to others. I'm a culturalist. I don't like Islam whether it is practiced by caucasians, arabs, or africans because I think, as a whole, it promotes violence.

Multi cultural-ism is (in my opinion) destroying the British culture. The Brits have lost their own identity in their efforts not to upset other cultures / races living in the country. So hell bent are the Brits on being politically correct about other races and cultures they are not noticing that their own culture and identity is being eroded on a daily basis. How the other cultures within our borders must snigger!

I am of the opinion those that come to live in Britain that are not of the British culture should embrace the culture, the people and its laws otherwise get the hell out. If they settle and have children here they should raise them on British culture and British values with their former culture as a second subject for want of better wording.

Hell now they even want to do away with our Royals - take away the Royals and the traditions with them; you take away a huge slice of British Heritage, Culture, Identity and lets not even go into the devastating effects on tourism.

As it is our Queen is head of the church - but that same religion is too scared to display nativity scenes for fear of upsetting another culture or religion.

It was proposed a few weeks back that Catholic Schools should allocate a certain number of their places to none Catholic children.....what the F..? Dare we suggest a Muslim school should do the same and then insist that the Christian boy attending the Muslim school not be taught the Muslim faith? Don't be silly - that is preposterous! It would be classed as racist and bigoted. Hear the outcry!

Erosion, erosion and more erosion of the British culture, identity and heritage and at the root of that erosion I believe is multi cultural-ism.

I do not believe it is racist or bigotted to voice an opinion on the matter, but yes voice an opinion and yo are instantly branded a racist and a bigot! I have seen it here in the UK and the "white brits" would not dream of voicing opinions; the embarrassment of being branded would just be too much. So the small minority of the "other cultures" make hay while the sun shines - erode erode and erode - chip chip chip away!

The local shopkeeper was telling me that there is a woman living nearby who has lived here in the UK for 23 years now - the cow does not know any english word other than hello! 23 years she has lived on our soil and she has not bothered to even attempt to learn our language! She has remained enshrouded in her culture snubbing ours for 23 years. That is an insult to my country and my queen!

Forgive me, for my babbling - i did not intend this response to be quite so lengthy!

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