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Posted by on Apr 22, 2021 in Blog, Politics, Rants and Raves | 0 comments

Is Positive Stereotyping Racism?

 

 

This is the latest segment of “An Unconventional Convention,” a Facebook series I created 18 months ago to encourage debate and discussion on many topics.  Today’s topic is racism when common perceptions are positive or complementary.

 

Today’s topic for our discussion could raise controversy, which deviates from the intent of this series. However, I’ve been impressed with the calm level of discourse so far, not to mention the high degree of content of posts. So, let’s give this a shot.

I’m interested in our perceptions of racism when biases are construed as (or intended to be) complementary.

Some examples:

  • Asians are superior at math.
  • Jews are the best doctors and lawyers.
  • Blacks are better athletes than Whites.

Right or wrong, these are very common perceptions of race and culture, especially in the United States. Political correctness doesn’t erase the way many people think.

The OBJECTIVES here are as follows:

— reply yes or no, if you find such (positive) stereotypes objectionable.
— explain why complementary perceptions on race and culture are offensive, if you believe this to be so.
— add other examples, stories, thoughts, and ideas relating to complementary or positive racism.

I’ll begin our discussion with the following thought:

I’ve read commentary on the notion of Asians being “superior at math” and why this is actually offensive to some people, even Asians (it also may be incorrect). However, in one of Malcolm Gladwell’s books, he writes a full chapter about some Asian cultures teaching math to children in different ways than in the West, and this early exposure gives many Asians advantages. I’m interested in reading comments as to why Gladwell’s research/findings would be either incorrect or offensive.

This is a chance for me to learn from others, and hopefully, many of you will join me here in the social media classroom.

This marks the ONE-HUNDRED AND FIFTY THIRD segment of A.U.C., a series designed to encourage honest, open, and civil discussion and debate. Thank you for reading and (hopefully) participating!

NOTE:  Follow and join the discussion on FACEBOOK HERE

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