V
Villan Of The North
Guest
I feel that certain elements on this site have, from time to time, contributed to a hostile atmosphere in discussions/debates and even that which is intended as banter. I believe that much of this is as a result of prejudice from one or more parties.
I believe that we all have prejudices, it's a coping mechanism, as is stereotyping, to allow us to get on with our lives without having to bog ourselves down in the details of every little thing.........if we did we'd never get anything done.
The problem with this is that we don't always look at details when we should and our prejudices migrate from being a coping mechanism to something that is destructive and even hurtful, dare I say, dangerous.
I believe the first step in overcoming prejudices is acknowledging them, when you recognise something you are more likely to confront it and examine the rational.
With this in mind I thought it might be interesting for people to confess/acknowledge their prejudices in order to both help themselves overcome them and to help others understand them.
I know it's a bit of an experiment and it might be tough for some to admit to things that they might consider embarrassing or be ashamed of but it also might lead to interesting discussion and, dare I say it, a bit more understanding and respect.
So, I'll get the ball rolling with a couple from me:
I'm a racist! I don't dislike people of other ethnic origins, indeed I have and have had over the years, various different friends from other ethnic backgrounds than my own. However, in my teen years, I did experience feelings of extreme tension/caution, even bordering on fear when walking past 2 black guys on an isolated footpath. Obviously it was an amalgamation of circumstances that made me feel this way but I know for a fact that two white guys would not have made me feel this way. I know it was irrational but it's how I felt. I also group people based on their race/religion. For example I feel that all Muslim Arab men mistreat women. Rationally I know this can't be true but every time I hear of such a case in the news I find myself thinking "typical!"
I am homophobic! I have no problems with homosexuals and have had homosexual friends in my life and I do not think them all to be sexual preditors or peadophiles as some seem to believe. However, I just don't like to see two men (or indeed two women) showing public affection beyond that of the standard acts of friendship. How consenting adults behave in their own home is no problem for me, nor is it any business of mine, but in public I find heterosexual couples showing affection as endearing, in particular in elderly couples, but I feel uncomfortable when homosexual couples do the same. There is no logic to it, I'm fully aware of that but I just don't like it. Just to be clear, I'm not talking about people snogging or being overtly sexual, I'm talking about simple things like holding hands.
So there you go, rip me to shreds if you feel the need. I'm not proud of these feelings but they are very real to me. I wonder if anyone else on hear has the self insight and guts to admit anything similar.........we will see.
I believe that we all have prejudices, it's a coping mechanism, as is stereotyping, to allow us to get on with our lives without having to bog ourselves down in the details of every little thing.........if we did we'd never get anything done.
The problem with this is that we don't always look at details when we should and our prejudices migrate from being a coping mechanism to something that is destructive and even hurtful, dare I say, dangerous.
I believe the first step in overcoming prejudices is acknowledging them, when you recognise something you are more likely to confront it and examine the rational.
With this in mind I thought it might be interesting for people to confess/acknowledge their prejudices in order to both help themselves overcome them and to help others understand them.
I know it's a bit of an experiment and it might be tough for some to admit to things that they might consider embarrassing or be ashamed of but it also might lead to interesting discussion and, dare I say it, a bit more understanding and respect.
So, I'll get the ball rolling with a couple from me:
I'm a racist! I don't dislike people of other ethnic origins, indeed I have and have had over the years, various different friends from other ethnic backgrounds than my own. However, in my teen years, I did experience feelings of extreme tension/caution, even bordering on fear when walking past 2 black guys on an isolated footpath. Obviously it was an amalgamation of circumstances that made me feel this way but I know for a fact that two white guys would not have made me feel this way. I know it was irrational but it's how I felt. I also group people based on their race/religion. For example I feel that all Muslim Arab men mistreat women. Rationally I know this can't be true but every time I hear of such a case in the news I find myself thinking "typical!"
I am homophobic! I have no problems with homosexuals and have had homosexual friends in my life and I do not think them all to be sexual preditors or peadophiles as some seem to believe. However, I just don't like to see two men (or indeed two women) showing public affection beyond that of the standard acts of friendship. How consenting adults behave in their own home is no problem for me, nor is it any business of mine, but in public I find heterosexual couples showing affection as endearing, in particular in elderly couples, but I feel uncomfortable when homosexual couples do the same. There is no logic to it, I'm fully aware of that but I just don't like it. Just to be clear, I'm not talking about people snogging or being overtly sexual, I'm talking about simple things like holding hands.
So there you go, rip me to shreds if you feel the need. I'm not proud of these feelings but they are very real to me. I wonder if anyone else on hear has the self insight and guts to admit anything similar.........we will see.