Racism is:
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
I must say unequivocally, heavens no!
I suppose another word that would come closest to the word racist would be prejudiced. To pre-judge. To be a racist, one must prejudge those within that racial group, and that is the road of total ignorance, because as soon as you do, guaranteed, you're going to be made a fool!
For that reason alone, it was refreshing to see black people rejoicing at the election of Barak Obama! Now, politics aside. Many made the remark, 'we made it'. I can say bravo to that!
It is easy for us to pre-judge, though. Admittedly, when one says 'gang member', the first image I have in my mind is a Hispanic male. Yet I cannot assume that all Hispanic males are gang members.
Yet I cannot say that I am like Will Rogers, who made the statement, when asked about Leo Trotsky, he said that he never met a man he didn't like:
"I bet you if I had met him and had a chat with him, I would have found him a very interesting and human fellow, for I never yet met a man that I [dident] like. When you meet people, no matter what opinion you might have formed about them beforehand, why, after you meet them and see their angle and their personality, why, you can see a lot of good in all of them.[4]:234 Saturday Evening Post, November 6, 1926"
No, I cannot say I have that grace, for I have met some people that I thoughly disliked. But I tend to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, and to give each person a fair shot.
Will Rogers also said some interesting things about ignorance, which really is the root of racism:
"You know everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.
An ignorant person is one who doesn't know what you have just found out.
It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so."
I like him, for he was great, because he had true humility. I think the danger of a person being racist is lacking humility and having a tendency toward being proud and arrogant, or over confident. I am not against having a self confidence, but one can have a blind spot in being over confident. It is much better to be meek. Meekness should not be mistaken for weakness. Weakness of course is just that, and guess what? We all have weaknesses. Meekness on the other hand is being aware of one's weaknesses. There is a lot of difference in the two. Actually, there is a great advantage in being aware of one's weaknesses.
What does this have to do with racism? If we are proud and arrogant, we tend to focus on the flaws of others, and view them as less than ourselves, whereas, with meekness, we consider our own shortcomings, and we are more prone to accept others with their shortcomings, so we are less prone to pre-judge.
I site two historical references about meekness that helps me drive my point. One was the first leader of one of the greatest nations of all times. The historical account of this man said he was the meekest among men upon the face of the earth. The man's name was Moses. (Numbers 12:3)
Another reference to meekness assures us of those who will eventually win in the end: Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
And for those who inherit the earth, there is no room for racism.