Racism, Sexism, Homophobia.

[Eilonnwy]

I don't think you could say everyone is a bit racist. I mean, I do not understand the mindset of hating or having a prejudice against someone solely for because of their skin color, or their sex, or their sexuality.

Racism, or any type of prejudice, doesn't have to be explicit.

[downbeatplumb]

a phobia is an something that cannot be controlled. I have a phobia about giving blood, when I have a blood test I almost pass out.
So if someone feels disgust at homosexuals, women,people of other races or whatever then maybe they genuinely cant help it.
Personally I feel a tad nervous when a muslim in full burka stands next to me, I find myself imagining strap on bombs underneath.

The important thing is how you react to this feeling.

Its very hard to change your attitude, but easy to change your actions.

[naturesway]

Having been guilty of all 3 things at one time in my life, I understand the fear that motivates ignorance .
I prefer to accept individuals at face value, we all suffer greatly in this life for the fears that blind us to truth and freedom to be whoever and whatever we believe at one time or another. We go through many roles in life until we actually accept our own selves as we are, then we no longer need to play roles, or live up to others images of what they expect of us.

[The Omnissiunt One]

Racism, sexism and homophobia are all equally bad in that they're all forms of irrational prejudice based on aspects of an individual which he or she has no control over and which probably have little bearing on that person's nature in other areas. Sexism has probably tended to result in the least extreme forms of discrimination historically, probably because men needed women to shag and to cook for them, but I wouldn't want to trivialise the subjugation of women.

I dont know. I have to say I think it goes:
1. Racism
2. Sexism
3. Homophobia

I find it interesting that you put racism ahead of sexism, and sexism ahead of homophobia. Not surprising, but interesting. Clearly, bigotry is still alive and well.

[thesummerqueen]

Racism, Sexism, Homophobia.

I thought this thread was about the Republican platform.

I had nothing useful to add, nor will it probably faze you, but this response gave me my first real out-loud laugh of the day.

[Autumnlicious]

Racism, sexism and homophobia are all equally bad in that they're all forms of irrational prejudice based on aspects of an individual which he or she has no control over and which probably have little bearing on that person's nature in other areas. Sexism has probably tended to result in the least extreme forms of discrimination historically, probably because men needed women to shag and to cook for them, but I wouldn't want to trivialise the subjugation of women.

I dont know. I have to say I think it goes:
1. Racism
2. Sexism
3. Homophobia

I find it interesting that you put racism ahead of sexism, and sexism ahead of homophobia. Not surprising, but interesting. Clearly, bigotry is still alive and well.

That was an unfair statement to make.

People are very, very concerned with race right now, far more than homophobia and sexism.

How they rank it doesn't imply, at least here, that any of the lesser ranked ones are somehow unimportant.

[thesummerqueen]

That was an unfair statement to make.

People are very, very concerned with race right now, far more than homophobia and sexism.

Do you really think so? I might agree with you on sexism, but I find it hard to believe that right now people care more about race than sexuality. Granted, that could be bias because I see more in the media about sexuality than I do race, but where I live, people care a hell of a lot more about someone being gay than they do about the mixing or inferiority of races.

[Autumnlicious]

That was an unfair statement to make.

People are very, very concerned with race right now, far more than homophobia and sexism.

Do you really think so? I might agree with you on sexism, but I find it hard to believe that right now people care more about race than sexuality. Granted, that could be bias because I see more in the media about sexuality than I do race, but where I live, people care a hell of a lot more about someone being gay than they do about the mixing or inferiority of races.

Look at politics today. Pulling the race card is a viable tactic, as opposed to the semi successful sexism card and so far (I've not seen nor heard) gay card.

I call it a bigger issue as more people care, and therefore more people are on opposing sides of an issue. If an issue is not that big, it will draw fewer people into it, and thus less mixing of groups entering one side or the other.

I think it is harder to find a significant racist enclave as big as the homophobic enclaves. Because being a racist today is an instant career killer. Being homophobic? Hell, you might just win attorney general of Michigan.

[Anomalocaris]

I think each form of discrimination can take many different shapes, and whether one is worse then another depends very much on what shape each form of discrimination takes. In their more common forms in developed or semi-developed societies outside the middle east, sexism probably does not kill or imprison quite as often as racism or homophobia, so I would say there while they are all not good, they are most certainly not equally bad.

[Autumnlicious]

I think each form of discrimination can take many different shapes, and whether one is worse then another depends very much on what shape each form of discrimination takes. In their more common forms in developed or semi-developed societies outside the middle east, sexism probably does not kill or imprison quite as often as racism or homophobia, so I would say there while they are all not good, they are most not equally bad.

You are attempting to consider wide scale harm. Kudos.