Hatred of difference is automatic and doesn't require thought and emotional processing.
Children do not naturally hate each other. Just look at the pictures of TJ's kids and their friends. They are almost oblivious to their differences. That is as good as it gets.
That sums up racism. Hatred of difference. And how do people identify their subjects ? By audio and visual traits. the very things I mentioned. Those things were were spoke to at a 2 day International forum on racism I applied to attend held in the 1990's at Geneva. It coincided with a trip I made to visit family in Lens Suisse. Described racism as generalization of a sect of society, that had recognizable traits in common. Racism is not hatred of just one person, But rather the total group to which that person belongs.
Exemplified was the backlash against the Hungarians who fled to North America in the 1950's They were identified by their lack of English, ridiculed and scorned because of it. ( It is the English language Not American as some designate it as )
It ended in a very informational question & discussion period. These were very educated people who when speaking they brought to the surface in ones own mind. Feelings you never knew you had or other events witnessed over ones life that were Racist acts that were accepted in society.
Babies instinctively make strange from loss of security. That is not racism it is their method of saying to the parent "I am afraid " When the baby becomes acquainted and familiar with the unknown person the fright disappears. Babies learn traits from shortly after birth by seeing the expressions of those around them. Instinctive reactions of the parent are quickly imprinted in the child's mind.
Hence the saying, As the Maple so the Sapling
With Racism it does not go away the hate of difference feeds on it's self. The hardest part of not being inflicted with the aliment is to realize and accept that everyone, including one's self bear some of the traits.
( I say ailment because it is a sickness)
Just line up a long row of unknown naked corpses. And tell me which one was Smart or Dumb, Rich or poor. = when they came = when they left. Superiority or inequity is a figment of the mind.
The disdain between political opponents. Not being able to admit there are some advantageous points in the other party or leader is just another modern day form.
When you say ugly Vs handsome, That is a learned trait. Children of a lesser looking parent are not afraid and they still love them. Just as parents love challenged children as much and have even more compassion for them. My sister in-law God rest her soul. was terribly disfigured. Notably at first glance. Once you got to know her all you seen was how beautiful of a person she really was. Her character and personality totally over shadowed any physical appearance. So much so she worked herself up the ladder in Avon to a six figure income as a regional manager.
Why did the above mentioned forum interest me ? Because our dad having died of cancer. The major part of my first 20 years of life, was spent as a half breed family in a 16 by 20 shack in poverty, Without running water and an outhouse for a toilet, our best cloths being hand me downs, or picked up from the Salvation Army or Knights of Columbus salvage sales. When I view the picture of that dwelling it still amazes me how she portrayed a positive attitude for our future. and how strong of person she had to have been.
Our education arranged and paid for by the Catholic Church at their Sisters of St Ann school. That was because our father owned a farm, was a devout church contributor and participant in church activities while he was alive in the 1930's. My mother had to convert to the faith to mary him. Then sold the farm and spent every cent trying to keep him alive.
Other than our family the students were mostly white and well off or at least comfortable financially. We knew first hand what racist attitudes were.
Strangely two of the students who took part in the ridicule, ended up working for me later in life. They were great employees. I became pretty good friends with one he retired from our outfit a few years before I did.. He remarked, when we were in school no one would have ever dreamed you would own a company like this. I said I should thank you because it was those younger years that gave me the dedication to get out of that hole we were in.
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