Are we a nation of racists?

Are we a nation of racists?

            "Racism" is generally defined as: "a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others."  Accordingly, a "Racist" is a person who is prejudiced against or antagonistic toward people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.

The other day a heard someone comment that he was an "Italian American."   I have to ask:  "Is an Italian American somehow better than a French American or a native American?"  Whatever happened to the notion that those of us who are bonafide citizens of the United States should simply refer to ourselves as Americans?  If an American migrated to Italy would anyone there refer to that person as an American-Italian?

            One has to wonder where this popular term "African-American" came from?  The vast majority of Americans who happened to have black skin were born in the US as were their parents; hence, they are not from Africa and are, in fact, Americans.

            Are we a nation of racists?  It seems the average person is constantly confronted with surveys, employment applications, medical forms, and other types of inquiries that request information on race, nationality or ethnic background.  The FBI and various police organizations provide statistics as to how many prisoners are Hispanic, Caucasian, Oriental or African-Americans.  Even the up-coming ten-year US census requires a national origin response - why? 

What difference does race or ethnic background make if this country is merely trying to count how many people live within its borders.  It would appear the only important question the Census should ask is whether the person filling out the form is actually a citizen of the US which should have some affect on the membership count for the House of Representatives.

Unfortunately, the black vs white issue continues to be a serious national problem along with a developing sex issue of male vs female and sexual identification.

Why not identify ourselves simply as "Americans?"

            If we, as a society, refer to ourselves in terms of national, ethnic or racial origin, then this nation shall never solve the problem of prejudice or racism.

Piper's Papers

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December 2019

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