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Prejudice Hatred Fear--we have it all
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(AP Photo) In Gaza
Researchers in Toronto have discovered that we may talk the talk but we don't walk the walk, at least where racism is concerned.
Why doesn't this surprise me?
I've lived in many places in my life and traveled all over the world. One thing I've noticed is that everywhere people have some group to feel better than. Some group to make "less than."
In the US it's often African Americans, or Native Americans, or undocumented workers, or (insert your favorite group to look down on here). In Australia, it's the Indiginous Australians or Aboriginal people. In Japan, it's people who are of mixed race. In the United Kingdom, it's people from India. In Canada, it's those from Newfoundland. Of course there are many more examples.
My children are of races other than mine, so I've been senstive to the subject for many, many years.
What's the reason people need others to look down on? What makes us need to feel superior to others? I have my theories, but the subject does indeed confound me.
I know that prejudice itself isn't innate. Like the old song from South Pacific says, "You've got to be carefully taught. You've got to be taught to hate and fear. It's got to be drummed in your dear little ear. You've got to be taught from year to year. You've got to be carefully taught."
Hatred is taught and it can be unlearned. But here I'm writing more about the almost pathological need we humans have to feel superior to a race, culture, group, or nation. What do you think? I do value your opinions, even if I don't always comment. The conversation continues with you.
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