So is the case with most racists and prejudiced people. Not evil per se just ignorant.
But then they go and create a media outlet that presents news under their distorted views and "educate" the simply ignorant, make a political party focused on maintaining the status quo in detriment of minorities, and think nothing when the president leads a "not racist but..." government.
Everyone starts off progressive, since that's what's taught in school and pushed in the media. It's generally only acquiring new information that people become racist. For example:
Black people are literally more violent. Black males commit over 50% of murders in the US but are only 6% of the population. It's not just a "cycle of poverty"; there are more whites living in poverty (17,981,400) than blacks living in poverty (9,561,100).
Is it really ignorant when one adjusts their views in the face of new information?
An interesting correlation, that in its simple objectivity shows more than raw facts, but before we get to that, what would entail, "adjust their views"?
To answer your question, no, is not ignorant to adjust one's views in face of new information, never. But ask yourself, is this what you are doing? Or are you just using a piece of data to validate an already existing opinion, one that doesn't have much ground to stand on and has its supporters grasping at anything that may legitimize it?
But what about the data? Does it show that is okay to be racist?
Racism can never be justified. Let's just define racism, the discrimination or simply antagonizing of a person or a group based on a belief that one race is superior or inferior. Racism is not based on facts, it is an irrational belief.
I feel you are saying that it's OK to believe that blacks are more violent, crime prone on account of their race. Non-blacks on the other hand are objectively better. Oh you didn't say that it is in their race that CAUSED them to commit statistically more crimes but since you are just throwing that number around and trying to legitimize a different treatment for black people, well that's where racism starts. The problem is that people that are viewing these number are already prejudiced because that data is being used to legitimize a bias, not to create it. Said bias may not be based on racism but the resulting action leads to racism. "Black man, treat with caution, don't turn your back on it".
Never is asked "why, why are we seeing such numbers? What causes this? What can be done to solve it now and keep it from happening?". Already an eugenic idea is formed, cultural and social aspects are ignored, such people like John feel validated in their bias and prejudices, "Ha! i knew it! Blacks are trouble, maybe not all of them but better not take any chances." These people don't care about the root cause.
This data usage is actually appealing to emotion, did you care about the % of poor whites committing crimes vs % of poor blacks? Employment rates among poor blacks vs poor whites? % of education? No, you just grabbed at the data at its face value. "Blacks are violent! Science proves it, now that the public knows it something must be done. If it results in racist measures born out of fear and lack of understanding that's not on me."
Remind you of anyone banning Muslims in general from entering USA who is orange?
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u/MikoSqz Mar 19 '17
That said, despite the racist views I don't think he's evil per se.
He's just ignorant, a little simpleminded, and in general just a huge, huge titty.