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Eugine_Nier comments on Less Wrong’s political bias - Less Wrong Discussion
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Care to take me up on my previous offer and define what you mean by "racism"?
For your convenience here are some common definitions I've seen used:
1) Someone who believes or alieves that there are significant differences between people of different races, regardless of whether he has a rational basis for these beliefs/aliefs.
2) Someone who believes or alieves that there are significant differences between people of different races without a rational basis for these beliefs/aliefs.
And for the sake of completeness, here is the "definition" that appears to be frequently used by the "Social Justice" community (note, I'm not saying I suspect you're using this definition):
3) I refuse to provide a definition, but all white people are racist and have a duty to feel guilty about this fact.
If I try to come up with an example of something that should be agreed upon by any political party, and I come up with "racism is bad", why would you feel the need to question what I mean by that? Am I really wrong in saying that racism being bad is something that everyone should agree with? Does this really need to be turned into another political argument?
But fine, I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you are genuinely curious, and point out that yes, I mean that arbitrary racism is bad (definition 2). No, hiring black people for movies when you want someone with black skin for the role is not racism. Yes, the black activist who yells that only white people are racist is racist himself. Yes, I agree that one shouldn't persecute people merely for having the belief that there are differences between races. Yes, I am aware that some people feel that science on race should be banned (I know some) and no that's not something I agree with. When I said "racism is bad" I did not want to discuss any of these more complex issues however, I meant it in the really really obvious way.
Because the phrase "racism is bad" is shorthand that covers a large variety of beliefs. hiding differences in belief with highly emotionalized language. "Racism is bad" is easily used to require or prohibit affirmative action, or require or prohibit drug laws, require or prohibit gun laws, and require or prohibit several forms of economic thought, all without changing the phrase.
I share a position very much similar to the one you've listed, but I've seen people who list the same positions yet feel that they're better served in such by the Republican Party than the Democratic Party, and given some of the response to Schuette, I can't say I can't understand them.
What about someone who believes that people of certain races are more likely to commit crimes, and thus votes for parties that are in favor of limiting immigration?