Are these racist statements?

[-..__...]

(words to the effect)


"I wish I knew more black people".

Or...

"I wish I had more black friends".

Or...

"I wish I was black".

All those comments were either spoken directly to me, or overheard by me at social gatherings.

In all the circumstances the person(s) who spoke those was white, very liberal, college educated with a modest paying job. Two were female; one was male (info provided for the detail oriented types).

In all those cases I was pretty much dumbstruck... like "WTF are you talking about"?

So... racist or not, or just plain ignorance?

[frankenforpres]

1. stupid, not racist (n/t)

[karlrschneider]

2. Clumsy attempts to ingratiate themselves, I would imagine.

I'm assuming you're black...? Not racist, just puerile is my take.

[-..__...]

19. Nope...

as white as John Wayne.

The gatherings involved were pretty much situated around the music and/or art scene.

Given that, it wouldn't surprise me if the statements were made in a "trendy" fashion.

[karlrschneider]

23. You're probably right, I was just nonplussed at the questions. I guess

I don't travel in circles where those comments would ever be heard. Struck me as 'odd' for lack of a better word.

[KingFlorez]

3. Not racist

Just sort of ridiculous

[marmar]

4. If they were genuine, then just naive and not very worldly...

But the "I wish I was black" one puzzles me. Did he or she say why?

[-..__...]

20. Emo type...

I don't know and I didn't ask.

[deadmessengers]

5. The definition of racism:

According to Webster, racism is a belief in the inherent superiority of one race over another. I honestly don't see anything in those statements that make me thing that the person saying them was racist. Those statements are a bit... weird (trying to be charitable here), but I don't think they're racist.

[Rosemary2205]

6. I wish I was black???????

What a dumbass.

[Barnaby]

7. I'd say racist,

in that they indicate defining people in terms of race, but certainly more in the goofy category. I could see someone taking offense.

[Redstone]

9. What, you're not making fun of the original poster? Where'd your sense of humor go?

Redstone

[Barnaby]

10. Glad to see you didn't take the situation so seriously after all : )

[Redstone]

13. He who fights and runs away...

is kind of a punk and a chicken, but that's just my opinion.

Redstone

[TahitiNut]

14. Not necessesarily. People often define themselves in terms of race.

We all view ourselves, to one degree or another, in terms of the experiences and perspectives our racial and ethnic "identities." We're the sum of everything we've ever thought, much the result of the way we've framed our own experiences. Using the shorthand of 'white' or 'black' or (whatever) may be mere convenience in abbreviated communication with one another. It's one thing, for example, to regard one's self as some exemplar of some racial group and quite another to acknowledge that one's views are shaped by the experience of how we're treated by people around us and our families.

I personally find it fascinating to sample the human smorgasbord, 'tasting' samples that may appear similar in appearance but with wonderfully unique flavors - flavors not at all affected by whatever preconceptions I might have.


"It never occurred to me that I would fall in love with a Negro, but I have, and nothing's going to change that. "

"I don't care to see a member of my own race getting above himself. "

"You think of yourself as a colored man. I think of myself as a man. "

[Redstone]

8. I'd say more ignorant than racist. Though pandering, as well.

Redstone

[Kelly Rupert]

11. Well, let me go through it.

1. Not necessarily. If you believe that African-Americans are more likely to bring with them different, equally-valuable viewpoints and experiences--the foundation of many diversity initiatives--and your social circle is overwhelmingly white, then it might not be racist. Still, it kinda objectifies black people.

2. Well, a bit of #1, only this is pretty weird. It's turning black people into tokens you can collect. If you're befriending people because they're black, then yeah, that's racist and demeaning--you're saying that your new black friend's blackness is more interesting than who he or she is as a person.

3. Racist.

[nealmhughes]

12. Gee, do these people not work? Go out in public gathering places?

Museums? Jazz clubs? Live? WTF?!

[951-Riverside]

15. Since the comments were directed towards blacks, No.

Haven t you heard racism against blacks does not exist. OTOH if it was directed towards Anglo, Hispanic or even Asian people yes that person is a horrible racist Nazi. :eyes:

[Wcross]

16. I think it is more a case of trying too hard to fit in.

"I wish I had more black friends"? Uh, you just can't desire more friends regardless of their racial background?

"I wish I knew more black people"? Again with the specific racial heritage?

If you can't get past a persons racial heritage you are probably a racist. I have seen my fair share of racist behavior over the years and overcompensation is a classic. Have you ever heard a white man trying to speak "ghetto" while in the presence of a black co-worker?

[ThomCat]

17. The first two could be a recognition that someone

has some work to do to be less racist. I don't think the statements are racist in and of themselves.

The third statement is a worry. Does this person idealize or idolize black culture(s) or blackness for some reason? That in and of itself can be a sign of racism because it shows an understanding that's based on generalizations rather than actual experience.

[MrSlayer]

18. Is simply mentioning black people racist?

I don't see where wishing you had a more diversified peer group or wishing to be a member of a certain group is either racist or ignorant. What is there in any of those statements that is even vaguely racist?

[1620rock]

22. Hmm, I live in an area that has very few African Americans..

...and virtually no Asian or Hispanic residents. I do indeed wish my area was more culturally diverse. I think the people who made these statements were just trying to express my feelings albeit in a rather clumsy fashion. :shrug:

[-..__...]

26. Because it defines color as an aspiration and/or object.

[seabeyond]

29. what if..... it is merely the persons desire for more diversity in their

life. what if..... there is no objectifying, only a desire to have a more diverse world. i am often bothered that the area i am in is so white. i want my children to have the opportunity of diversity, and that bothers me. the up side is my children have always gotten along better with the few children of other races and so with the limited diversity around us, we have had some. what i am also concerned with is that we have NO liberals in our environment and i am constantly having to tell the children there is a whole world out there that is not representative of what they are living. i am begging them to do college on the west coast or north east coast. it is all in the person intent that counts. did you feel they were sincere, or did it feel demeaning. i guess that is really where it comes down to.

[Lars39]

21. Vote...other.

It could show that the person was raised and lived in a place that was predominately white. They are open to the idea of black friends and acquaintances, but have no clue as to how to go about broadening their horizons. Sad, really.

[seabeyond]

24. i agree with lars and say cut 'em a break. shows a desire for diversity

i am always on the side of opening ones horizons. does not sound racial to me. or even stupid. maybe sad

[Kiouni]

25. rentanegro.com?

they have a website for these statements.

[Sapphocrat]

27. Context?

Impossible to make an educated guess without context/history of the speaker(s).

I would guess the first two statements mean either 1) "I feel insulated in my gated community in Orange County, and have come to the realization that all my liberalism is just lip service," or 2) "I'm so clueless, I want to be like these people (and yes, I believe they're real)!"

My response would be: "How about just wishing you had more friends, period?"

The third statement is anybody's guess. Why would anyone want to be who or what they were not?

[hamletsophelia]

28. CRINGE

It's not something I would say socially, however it isn't mean spirited, so in my opinion no it isn't racist however someone of color might be offended by it so I would never say it though I'd think it.. I have. Is that a contradiction?

[praeclarus]

30. what if you were white...

... and wanted only a black boyfriend or girlfriend,
or vice-versa, or substitute any other color combination
on either side.

Would that be racist?