Taylor, i don't entirely agree in the self evidency that in solving individual personal racism international institutionalized racism will follow. In a direct example would be the Civil Rights Movement- in many ways racism fostered against Blacks in the United States has been curbed, and yet, as i suggested earlier covert forms of racism which occur systemically and institutionally still persist. Rosa Parks can sit at the front of the bus now, but will she be taking that bus to Boeing initiated job program that inflicts a slave labour's wage? The same conclusion can be drawn from the gains taken from the feminist movement and the persistence of partriarchy in society. My point had more to do with the fact that interpersonal "micro" level racism is constantly the issue of debate, and that exactly from what you said, larger issues of racism stem from our inability to deal with personal forms of intolerance- and in this way institutional racism often deflects its exercise of hate. in some ways i think you're right in pointing out that the issues of "macro" level racism are not really racism at all- i think if you look at all my examples they concern themselves mostly with groups and their Conflict over resources. in that sense, race is an externality to the discussion. the problem is then that race exasterbates those inequalities in resources- for the reason that Africans as a race of people dying of AIDS are coded as dependent, uncivilized or untechnological instead of addressing more concrete reasons for their debt burdens which have absolutely nothing to do with the race and character of their people. this is the same process of misidentification with race that codes "terrorist" as middle eastern, and not any other possible race (we've all heard of the Unibomber yes?)

as for your raising of Altruism, i am really unsure how to address that. seems to me if governments are willing to initiate unjust wars in the name of resource acquisition it doesn't seem like Altruism works at a macro level where Conflicts over Resources are all encompassing- whereas Altruism at the personal level, at the level of families and friends seems like something much easier to address, execute and understand.

(by the way, this is a wonderful example of Sociology and Pyschology butting heads)

2004 Prada Sport Men's 3-in-1 jacket (id #: sgv233). Retail price: $1145.00 (US).

Modelled daily by our very own Simon Lam.

Check out this google cache of e-bay if you don't believe me.

I may not make it tonight, Andy, but I expect you guys to strictly adhere to these rules.

In the world of US Election what-ifs, this one is a doozy, topping even the Bush-Edwards presidency. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has cancer, and may be too ill to rule on a potential legal argument over this election. (I know, I'm getting ahead of myself, but one can always speculate...) Electoral-Vote.com reports that, if the Chief Justice cannot rule and the court is deadlocked (which would be likely), a possible outcome is that "Chief Justice Rehnquist resigns and that President Bush makes a recess appointment, which does not require Senate confirmation." So, after all is said and done, though it's unlikely, Bush could cast the deciding vote and make himself President.

Whee!

Eric and Taylor... I don't know how, but I agree with you both!

I think it is a system of racism that doesn't see us helping the Sudanese to the same extent that we did the Jews during their respective genocides. I think it is at least partly racism that has us helping out some countries more than others... but I also think that we cannot hope to ever work things out internationally if we cannot get over our own "neighbourhood" problems first (that of being able to help those closest to you before reaching further afield).

I can stir crap up anymore? From now on I will use my icon to amuse and to annoy.

Cobra Commander for President!

I notice everybody keeps using the word "tolerance". I fucking hate it when people use that word in a context such as this. Just because you tolerate someone doesn't mean you necessarily hate them any less. For such forward thinking people, shouldn't we update our vocabulary to match?

Eric, as for your micro/macro point, it seems pretty self evident (to me at least) that shit ain't gonna get done at a macro level when things still haven't been worked out at the micro level. If I can't love my neighbour, how do I love a stranger? That's a helluva jump. Realistically I think you gotta take it one step at a time. This is a psychological revolution that has to be waged, and as such it has to be accomplished on a personal level. Granted, we've still got a long way to go if my notion of taboo irrelevancy holds true. While I may feel comfortable saying what I will around my friends, never would I dare say such things outside that environment.

Besides which, I'm not entirely convinced that this macro-racism you suggest is racism at all. I would argue that your examples have much more to do with a far more general altruistic deficiency (a problem that is no less significant!) than anything that pertains to racist intention.

How do you know it isn't my brother doing it? He spends a lot of time on this computer. Or maybe I'm just bored.

You know, Al, just because IP's aren't displayed, doesn't mean they aren't being recorded. I can still check exactly who is writing what...