Racism...

...now what would I have to say about it? Well get there but check this out first. This is an ad that ran in our university's local newspaper about 3 weeks back. The ad was printed by a group called the American Renaissance and it showed a pciture of a white (caucasian) baby with the heading "Will she be a racial minority by the time she turns 40?"
The ad then goes on to say this:

"Third World Immigration- both legal and illegal - is now running so high that whites are expected to be a minority raceby mid-century. Will this be good for America? Everyone tells you to "celebrate diversity," but for whites to "celebrate diversity" is to celebrate their dwindling numbers and declining influence. Would Mexicans "celebrate diversity" if whites were pouring across the Rio Grande, threatening to reduce them to a minority in their own country?Diversity is a weakness, not a strength. Just take a look at your campus. Are different racial groups a source of joy or a cause of friction? Dont just swallow slogans. Think for yourself."

This got me thinking...not angry...just thinking and I put the paper aside. Of course it was the next day that I found out about the ruccus this ad had created and how there were many angry people and for the rest of the week the newspaper issued many apologies (including a personally written one from the editor who said that the ad had slipped thru them and if they had realized it they wud never have printed it). Many people wrote in articles that I followed with close interest. All that has helped me give shape to my thoughts. I came across so many opinions and here are mine:

1) There is nothing wrong in a community trying to preserve its culture (and jobs). In fact I wouldnt be very surprised if there is a serious backlash from the indigenous american community about how the profit looking companies give their jobs to cheaper labour pretty soon.
2) I would say that Mexicans (in fact any community) would definitely not celebrate if something as suggested in the ad would happen.
3) I still think diversity is a strength not a weakness at all. And different racial groups are a source of making life interesting.
4) These guys assume that all those who disagree with them are people who cant think for themselves and are just swallowing slogans. Thats plain bigotry.
5) I didnt think there was really any need for the newspaper to apologize so much and say that if given a second chance they wudnt run the ad...Do newspapers always have to agree with everything that is said in their ads. I am not familiar with the way things work but a strong letter frm the editor saying that "she (and if need be on behalf of everyone at her press) does not agree with the content of the ad" was all I would think is enuff! And that too only if she means it...I am not saying I have the balls to always stand up for my beliefs but obviously doing something like that makes more sense than resorting to mass appeasal.
6) I never really could figure out 'racism'. I do have a few prejudices but I try to supress them as much as possible. And these prejudices never affect me once I get to know a person and like him/her. But does having those prejudices still make me a racist? I find it hard to believe that people can like everyone equally without having any preference to people of their own kind. And I dont see anything wrong in it! So doesnt that make the whole world a racist place to begin with? Of course its wrong to harm (and stupid to hate) others because of your prejudices. So do we call only those people who resort to such wrongdoing (and stupidity) racists?
Ill have to see more of the world and meet more 'racists' to figure this out! ;)

And to conclude...the only reason why I feel they shudnt have run this ad is to avoid putting thoughts of murdering all international students into some random psychos head!
I cant help thinking of the line "Jeremy spoke in class today" and recalling the end of the video :)