How racist are you?

The_MC · October 30, 2009

Did anyone see the channel 4 show tonight called 'How racist are you?'?

It was based on an excercise by an American called Jane Elliott. It effectively involved her splitting up a group of people into 2 groups, one with blue eyes and the others without. She then systematically turned the two groups against each other to let the blue-eyed, white skinned group understand the feeling of being racially persecuted.

However, the programme seemed extremely flawed to me. First of all, i thought all the alternate group did was show that they vulnerable to the control of an authority figure in going along with their leader (Ms Elliott), and therefore societies susceptibility to racism, ala Milgram's experiment on people's willingness to obey an authority figure.

Also, she was convinced that all white people are racist because of the social constraints put upon them. Now, even if this is true, do these same social constraints not make non-white people just as racist? Now, i am white and have blond hair and blue eyes, so maybe my view is warped, and i have convinced myself that racism does not exist and is not a problem (as Ms Elliott would have you believe). But i do know that racism is a problem with some people. I have blond hair and blue eyes but im not a white supremecist. One of my closest friends is Chinese, i have good friend who is Bangladeshi, another who is of African origin, you name it., it makes no difference to me, the only people i dont like are d**kheads and idiots.

I found the programme flawed as i say. It was based upon a regime of bullying and authoritative influence, which to the credit to the British participants many didnt fall for, and showed their intelligence and integrity and refused to go along with it, with some even walking out (to whom she accused of being ignorant racists who werent willing to change their position for 2 hours).

For me racism is not about who you are against, but who you are with. You side with the person closest to you, as is human nature to protect oneself. You side with family over non-family, friends over strangers, fans of your own club v other clubs, your city v other cities, the north-west (excluding Manchester) against the north-east, the North V the South, England V France, Europe V America, West V East, Earth v Martians, whatever... just a theory of mine, maybe its just me.

fyds · October 30, 2009

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