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Is voting for a white man because he's white considered racist?
I saw that you recently answered a question from a user regarding racism and the previous presidential election. Your answer seemed fairly thorough in your thoughts but I did have one question that I felt you could properly answer.
In the last presidential election I actually voted for John Mccain only because he is white. Race was the only factor I actually took into consideration, to be honest, and I did not want a black man heading our country because of his race. I understand that, as Americans, we have the rights to vote for whoever we'd like based on however we feel they should be judged. My question though is that was my choice in voting based on race actually racist?
Yes, I understand that I have the right to vote for a black president because he is black or a white president simply because he is white but that itself is not my question. I want to know if it's considered racism to any extent. That is all.
Thank you.
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Well yes, by dictionary definition that is racism.
Merriam Webster defines racism as:
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.
If you believe that because he black he is less capable then a white person, then yep, that's racist.
If you are uncomfortable with him as an individual, solely because of his race, that is racism.
Many people try to say that voting for Obama because he is black is racist (and although I agree it’s not a very good reason by itself) it’s actually not technically racist. Not by itself. Racism is the belief that race is the PRIMARY determinant of a person value and character and creates a superiority or inferiority of a personhood.
Most people I’ve spoken too who voted from Obama would NOT claim that his being black was a PRIMARY determinant of the man he is: It’s just a contributing factor, and in their world view, a positive contributing factor, but not the PRIMARY determinant of who he is. That’s why it’s not technically racism, it’s just not very good reasoning. I have not yet heard a person say “I’m not comfortable voting for a white man.” I haven’t even heard someone say “I’m MORE comfortable voting for a black man, then a white man.” Either of those statements would be racist, because they place a person’s race as the PRIMARY determining factor. There might be people out there who feel that way, but if so, I have not heard that sort of language used.
That is why I would say NOT voting for a black man is racist, but celebrating the fact that a black man happens to be president is not. They are two different statements. One says “A person of a particular race is not capable/allowed to hold that position.” And the other says “Given the context of this world, I think it is positive that a person of a particular race is holding that position.” The first is a racist bias, the second is just a different kind of bias, and one I don’t personally feel is the least bit morally wrong.
And it's important to remember: Just because you are FREE to do something, doesn't mean it's exempt from being judged as morally right or wrong.
You are FREE to hate anyone you'd like, for whatever reason you'd like.
You can hate your own mother if you want. Or your child. You are FREE to do that, and I’m FREE to think that that is morally reprehensible.
I also believe racist, is morally reprehensible, and unfortunately, a democratic election is the ONLY place where it is legal to allow racism to influence a hiring decision…
If you genuinely have a problem trusting people of different races, you should really do some soul searching to find out why. I never like to come across as attacking a person who asks a genuine question, but the simple truth is: Judging people based on race is almost impossible to avoid in all cases, but it is noble, rational and fair to TRY and avoid it anyways. We are called as rational, loving creatures, to rise up against our animalistic and xenophobic nature and to be better than our irrational fears and prejudices. Believing that race is a primary factor that establishes a person’s character or worth is irrational, judgemental and in my personal view, a black stain in the heart and mind.
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