If I were to say the white race is superior to all other races or that Caucasians are the greatest race, that would certainly be considered racism by most people.
But if I were to say that America is superior to other nations or that America is the greatest nation, that is considered patriotic. In fact, people from presidents to Olympic participants say such things all the time and churches sing hymns with these words on every patriotic holiday.
But are not most nations outside America actually people groups? Think about how nations started. Think Abraham - think Jacob - think Jews. The nation of Israel was founded by a person and included all of his descendants: a race or a people group.
So for most nations who are one race and people group, when they declare superiority (like America frequently does) over another nation who is one race and people group, are they being patriotic or racist?
In America (and "western nations"), we are not defined my one race; we are a nation of mutts. Our minds are conditioned to define a nation by boundaries more than as a race. But in MOST other places (think about Africa, Asia, and South America), they define their nation by a race or people group more than boundaries.
So it's not surprising that many places in the world despise America, specifically white Americans. When George Bush declares America to be the best nation on earth, and declares God's blessing on America, it may be patriotic in American's eyes, but it is racism in the eyes of other nations who are defined as a race or people group.
Maybe there's far more racism in America than you thought!
5 hours ago
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I think the flaw in your argument though is that when one says America is the greatest nations they usually are not referring to the people. They are not saying that the people are the greatest people on the planet rather that the governing structure/opportunity of America is the greatest. I seriously doubt that if you ask anyone who has made that remark that they would actually believe that the American people have more intrinsic worth than people in other nations. If something truly is better than something else it is not arrogant to say so. If I built a house that had a rock solid foundation, the craftsmanship was top notch, and the aesthetics were pleasing and a house was built right next to mine that did not meet code, the craftsmanship was subpar, and it looked like a hurricane hit it ... it would not be arrogant to say that between those two houses mine was the best.
Thanks for those comments. Here are a couple of points in reply:
1. Americans would not SAY they are superior, but we ACT like we are - after all it is PEOPLE who operate the structure and provide opportunity. Wouldn't the creators take credit for the opportunity they created? Don't American capitalists claim to be intellectually superior than the rest of the world?
2. Many wars and ethnic cleansings around the world are precisely because one race claims to have more intrinsic value than the other. That's what racism is. So my point was to say: because nations around the world do not separate race from the nation, they will not separate race from our nation. So when we say America is the greatest, we may mean "opportunity" but to the other nation, nation is synonymous with race.
3. What one person thinks is objective, to another will be subjective. So you may not think it's arrogant to think your house is better, but you will be perceived as arrogant when the other hears that from your mouth.
4. If you can claim intrinsic value on an economic system, opportunity, or a rock solid house, why wouldn't you claim intrinsic value on race? What I am examining is, that we can't separate race from nation like we think we can. So when you say, "I seriously doubt that if you ask anyone who has made that remark that they would actually believe that the American people have more intrinsic worth than people in other nations," I completely disagree. That won't say that because it's not PC, but deep down, they believe it, because actions, not words, demonstrate your belief.
What is the point of this article? Are you saying that Americans are racist because other nations perceive our national pride to be so? Is this only true for Americans? Do Bolivians not perceive Russians to be racists because they love thier country?
Americans are not without fault on the world stage, I agree, however much of the world's ire directed toward the US has less to do with US arrogance or so called aggression and more to do with her wealth and position as a world leader. Additionally, I believe much of Amerca's self-loathing is ginned up and encouraged by the media and political entities with an agenda to advance.
To be brief, America's system of government and ethics has benefited mankind the world over. Our freedom to invent, create and, yes, benefit from the fruits of our labor has created an empire unlike anything in history. This nation sends aid all over the world. Whenever there is a disaster, our military is there to assist, not conquor. We host the United Nations on our soil and bankroll a large majority of its expenses. We've even repaired damage done by our armed forces after conflicts. What other nation in world history has done these things, among many more?
I think world hatred directed towards the US has far more to do with the state controlled media in other nations that carefully shape the opinions of their populace for their own politcal ends. In spite of that however, folks still come here in droves. Why? Because we're arrogant racists?
The point of the article is to create awareness that, unlike America, in most nations there is little distinction between race and nation. In most nations the nation is defined by the race. So... if Bolivians "patriotically" declare their superiority over Russia, they are actually declaring themselves to be a superior race - isn't that racism?
So yes: I am saying every nation (not just America) who declares themselves superior over another is demonstrating racism, because in reality they are claiming their race to superior.
So we can list off the ways that America is good and how America has helped the world and how America's economic system is better... all that IS true, but it's beside the point. America may very well be superior to some nations (it IS arrogant to say we are superior to ALL), and Russia may actually be superior to some nations; but I am referring to the CLAIM of superiority, regardless of whether or not its true.
So, referring to your last paragraph:
America's world superiority is up for debate, with countless factors at stake. But let's say we are. The claim to others that we are is arrogant. And it's more racist than we think.
So the question is:
Is this form of racism evil?
Did not the Israelites (the nation/race descending from Jacob) think their race was superior to the Edomites (the nation/race descending from Esau)? Was this wrong? Didn't God declare their superiority over Edom?
Here's a syllogism of logic. 1. Many nations around the world do not separate race from their nation.
2. So, in like fashion, these many nations do not separate race from America. 3. When America claims to be "the greatest nation," the many nations hear it as referring to the people, the race.
If the above is true, these many nations are hearing we're the greatest race...= racism.
The anti-Christ and anti-Christian Jews are the biggest racists. Read the New Testament. They consider Gentiles to be unclean and etc., and they were always trying to kill Paul and other Christians. Their Talmud is also a hate book. Today, in the media, the Hollywood media, they produce anti-Christ and anti-Christians media. The Jews also are in the government. Obama's Chief of Staff, Rahm Israel Emanuel, for example. Not to mention the Sect. of Treasury, and the Fed Chairman. I could go on.
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