Websters on line dictionary defines racism (as does my hard cover dictionary):
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racism
rac·ism
Pronunciation: \ˈrā-ˌsi-zəm also -ˌshi-\
Function: noun
Date: 1933
1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial prejudice or discrimination
— rac·ist \-sist also -shist\ noun or adjective
In reference to part one of the definition:
A. Has anyone in the forum discussed in any way the human traits or capacities of any racial difference between Kwaï and the rest of the forum members? Hmmmmm...I don't think so.....so the accusation of racism fails based upon the first part of the definition.
B. Language is not, believe it or not, a human trait or capacity of a specific racial difference. Language is a common trait and capacity of all humans regardless of racial difference. So, the accusation of racism fails based upon the first part of the definition.
C. Regarding the part in the first part of the difination "...inherent superiority of a particular race.." , last time I looked French, or Chineese, or German, or British, or American, or Mexican, or any of the other nationalities were not a "race" but were just what they are, nationalities. So, the accusation of racism fails based upon the first part of the definition because a nationality is not a race, rather, a nationality is, simply put, a place of origin.
D. Regarding the part in the definition concerning "inherent superiority"; Has any one here in the forum in any way shown they are inherently superior in any way or that Kwaï is in any way inherently less superior then anyone else? Is there any indication from anyone in the forum that we are nothing more in the forum then the virtual anonymous people we are on the internet? Is there anything official anywhere that says or indicates that people on the internet have some sort of ranking system that categorizes them according to their "inherent superiority" based upon "human traits and capacities" ? The accusation of racism also fails in this respect.
E. Based upon the first part of the definition, an individually, or collectively, held belief "that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race " is just that, a belief that is individually held with like believing people forming together tightly or loosely to form the collective, regardless, the believes are still individually held. But, it doesn't mean that because its individually or collectively held that its a reality to everyone or the situation at hand. In this respect the accusation of racism fails.
So...collectively together, the accusation of racism fails completly based upon part one of the definition. On to part two...
In reference to part two of the definition:
A. Was there a 'racial prejudice' shown against Kwaï based upon his (or her) "human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race" ? The act of 'prejudice' or 'discrimination' at their very basics is simply the act of making a choice (although such a choice based upon the common understanding of 'racial prejudice' and 'discrimination' is generally detrimental or adverse for the person(s) or people against who the choice was made - thus the reason for the common understanding), but has any of this been shown to exist against Kwaï in the forum? Laughing at a turn of phrase, or wording, or the way someone says something, is simply that - laughing or finding some sort of comedic value. There was no racially motivated choice made to do so, its simply what it was because a sense of humor is learned and not an inherent human trait we are born with and is not an individually or collectively held belief and is just something that is an expression of a learned behavior not based upon "human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race" or a "racial prejudice or discrimination" choice because there is no race motivated choice to make here, only the learned expression towards comedic result laughter which was that of the turn of phrase or words posted. The accusation of racism based upon part two of the definition fails here also.
B. Has Kwaï been denied anything here in the forum? Rather, he's been treated as any other forum member by being aforded the same chances to participate as the rest of us. Theres been no choice made by the forum to not let him participate has there? I don't think so. The accusation of racism based upon part two of the definition fails here also.
Is it cruel? That is a matter of opinion. However, Kwaï doesn't seem to think so...and besides... what is this - the 3rd grade or something? Its not like anyone is being taunted or bullied, and its not like someone is going out of their way to make Kwaï uncomfortable or feel unwanted. In fact Kwaï seems to have made himself at home and seems to be happy to be here. If you were being bullied or taunted would you stay around? So it doesn't make sense to suppose that Kwaï is being treated in a cruel manner simply by someone finding some sort of comedic value in his postings and musings here in the forum. It would be different if he were being attacked in posts, but thats not the case, so the decision as to the what is and is not cruel, I suppose that this concept of 'cruel' would be better left to Kwaï to make that decision and not for someone else to make for him.
I've been very brief with the above.
The accusation of racism fails completly in light of, and context with, the definition. There is no racism involved.
)
