Perhaps we have become a bit too sensitive of late. Once upon
a time throwing insults at one another were merely a commonplace activity used
to express disdain and dislike for each other.
Seldom was the insult in anyway correlated with any semblance of the
truth, with perhaps notable exceptions of Dumbo, Pinocchio and Carrot top.
But our personal sensitivities of individuals from every demographic,
cultural & ethnic origin seem to be judging people too favourably by
labelling everyone a racist.
There are three kinds
of people who hurl abuse:
There are racists. These are people who have come to a
conclusion- logically or emotionally- that people of different colour, religion
or background are objectively inferior. It is a deeply held value that they are
superior and believe that a perfect world would place them at the top of the
food chain.
There are bigots. These are cultural xenophobes who do not
hate out of conviction to a set of values and beliefs, but rather dislike
difference. They have no knowledge of other cultures but, out of pure ignorance
& possibly fear, hate them all the same.
There are Jerks. These are people who call others nasty
names, because they can and want to. The insults are seldom well thought out
and generally have no real malicious intent, but they are unpleasant all the
same. They do attempt at times to be sharp and witty with the choice of
metaphor used against the victim, but in reality it is more the esteem of their
comrades that they desire than the damaging of the victim.
When Jerks are confused for racists, we unknowingly grant
them an undeserved title of sophistication. Jerks have not contemplated their
philosophical positions nor have they given any thought to the ramifications of
their words- because they are Jerks.
Let’s not fall into the trap of calling all jerks and bigots
in the world ‘racists’.
Let’s call them by
their official titles- Jerks.
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