Breaking the Fundamental Cause of Racism

Summary

The article discusses the root cause of racism and other forms of prejudice, attributing it to the perception of human "types" and the belief in the superiority of one's own group over others.

Abstract

The content of the website article addresses the fundamental cause of racism, ethnic prejudice, and gender discrimination, which stems from the belief that certain groups of people are inherently superior to others. This perception leads to a divisive mindset that categorizes people into "in-groups" and "out-groups," fostering fear, hatred, and discrimination. The article suggests that combating such prejudices requires the recognition that all humans share a common fallible human nature and that judgments about individuals should be based on their actions and possessions rather than group affiliations. The author introduces the concept of "People-Appraisal" as a method for evaluating a person's virtue and value using subjective criteria, which is further elaborated on in linked sources.

Opinions

The author posits that the core of racism lies in the belief that certain "types" of people are superior to others.
The article implies that the categorization of people into in-groups and out-groups is a flawed mental framework that leads to negative emotions and behaviors towards those perceived as different.
It is suggested that the mindset promoting in-group favoritism and out-group derogation is the foundation for various forms of discrimination and social conflict.
The author advocates for a shift in perspective to acknowledge that all individuals are part of a shared human nature, which is inherently fallible.
The concept of "People-Appraisal" is presented as a solution to overcome prejudice by evaluating individuals based on their actions and attributes rather than their group identity.
The author emphasizes the importance of subjective measurement criteria in assessing a person's character, as opinions on virtue and worthiness vary among different people.

And all other forms of prejudice and discrimination

The primary reason for racism, ethnic prejudice, gender discrimination, etc. is the perception that there are different “types” of people; some types are superior and more worthy than other types.

It is a main reason for the attacks aimed at Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Jews, “the elites,” and others, as well as conflicts between conservatives and liberals.

It’s built on a mental framework, a mindset, that the true nature of people in the groups to which I identify (my “in-groups”) are superior to those in certain other groups (the “out-groups”).

The thoughts and perceptions in that mindset reflect these beliefs such as these:

The people in my in-group look more like me, think like me, and enjoy doing the things I like to do. I trust them, feel comfortable around them, and I’m not worried they will try to harm me or take things away from me. They are good, worthwhile, and deserving people who are my friends and companions.

People in the out-groups, however, are a sinister bunch. They don’t look like me, they don’t think or act the way I do, and the don’t share my beliefs. They want to harm people like me and take what we have. They are bad, worthless people who should be damned and rejected.

Such mindsets breed fear, hatred, ridicule, contempt, and self-loathing. When extreme, they can even justify mass shootings and suicide.

A way to combat such destructive ways of thinking requires awareness and realization that there’s only one type of person: We are all fallible human beings whose inherent true nature — Human Nature — is shared by all of us.

The only non-delusional way to judge someone’s apparent virtue (goodness) and value (worthiness, worthwhileness), therefore, is by evaluating what the person does and has. These evaluations must be done using subjective measurement criteria because different people have different opinions about what makes someone a good, bad worthwhile, for worthless person.