Why is Misanthropy ok but racism taboo?

[ajemas]

I think that it's the mistreatment of a specific group of people that is the problem. I mean, racism has been a part of hate crimes, assults, and even genocides on a scale that misanthropy has never matched. If you are a racist then you are part of a group who feels the same way, a group which can get large enough to cause some serious damage. Misanthropists can cause harm by themselves, yes, but they aren't going to ban together to cause extreme harm. On the scale of worries, racism is much higher.

 

[Helmholtz Watson]

probably because people are socially conditioned to not like racism, but the media doesn't tell you how to feel about Misanthropy

?

actually I wouls say racism comes from social conditiong..not the other way around, people dislike racsim because (in the society we live in now) they can see how stupid and pointless it really is

sure distrusting others of a different race is natural to an extent (natural, not right) but beliving yourself to be superior based on somthing as silly as the amount of melanin in your skin...is stupidm, but then again I think racism is more of cultral thing

Ok I'm confused, if racism is hating somebody and thinking you better than them because of race, what would you call it if I hated another race because of their race, but I just thought I was about average? Example, lets say I hate all [insert racial group here] people because I thought they where thieves, but at the same time I didn't think much of myself? I never said that they are subhuman, just that I hate their race. What would I be called then?

 

[ACman]

Racism isn't taboo. It's perfectly normal and allowed, provided you're not white, and discriminating against white people.

Of course being white and discriminating someone, now that would indeed be a horrible crime.

Then again, misanthropy isn't taken very seriously, and hates on everyone, so nobody can feel offended.

That would be a salient point if most the power in the Western world wasn't in the hands of white Anglo-Saxon-Celtics.

When has reverse discrimination ever affected you?

 

[longboardfan]

Because as a Misanthrope, I hate everyone equally. Its not about skin color, its about complete distain for the entire species. Its all about equality, as in we hate everyone equally. Also, we tend not to form groups of people wearing bed sheets and staking people out on the yard.

 

[Vault101]

I hate people and can still function in society. I don't base any reason on something because the guy in question is a different color. I don't care what skin color you are, if I don't know you, then your a untrustworthy prick. I hide it from the world and give the ones I hate a fake smile and a lukewarm handshake.

your attitude doesnt exactally compell me to be nice to you or have respect

I have a feeling misanthropy is a cycle of sorts (and I also belive attitude is VERY important to everything you do in life..thats just me however)

I met you in real life, you wouldn't know. I can guarantee that you have more enemies than you can count, but they hide it well. I think respect is overated, let alone from someone I don't care about.

I dont have any enemies, theres no one out there actively hating ME personally or plotting my demise (Im sure theres some out there whi dislike me..not hate..I dont know enough people to have any haters)

so anyway what if you actually get to know somone? I mean theres got to be some traits in a person you like

 

[Vault101]

probably because people are socially conditioned to not like racism, but the media doesn't tell you how to feel about Misanthropy

?

actually I wouls say racism comes from social conditiong..not the other way around, people dislike racsim because (in the society we live in now) they can see how stupid and pointless it really is

sure distrusting others of a different race is natural to an extent (natural, not right) but beliving yourself to be superior based on somthing as silly as the amount of melanin in your skin...is stupidm, but then again I think racism is more of cultral thing

Ok I'm confused, if racism is hating somebody and thinking you better than them because of race, what would you call it if I hated another race because of their race, but I just thought I was about average? Example, lets say I hate all Jews/Middle Eastern people because I thought they where theives, but at the same time I didn't think much of myself? I never said that they are subhuman, just that I hate their race. What would I be called then?

all I ment was the term "social conditioning" has slighty negative conotations, you are probably correct, thats just how I was reading into it

 

[agentorange98]

Cause in Mysanthropy you hate everyone equal, like you can't be prejudice against all races cause then there's no one to give favor too

 

[snowpuppy]

Racism isn't taboo. It's perfectly normal and allowed, provided you're not white, and discriminating against white people.

Of course being white and discriminating someone, now that would indeed be a horrible crime.

Then again, misanthropy isn't taken very seriously, and hates on everyone, so nobody can feel offended.

I recently heard someone call minorities with racist attitudes to whites "reverse racist".
WTF?

 

[manic_depressive13]

Misanthropy is often the result of perpetual fear and self-loathing. When people think of racism they recall hate crimes and cruelty and prejudice. When thinking of misanthropy they probably imagine tragic losers like me, lamenting their existence and cursing their affluent, middle class life on the internet. So, people don't like misanthropes, but know that they're generally harmless. Also, misanthropes don't organise because it requires associating with other people. Finally, if asked what's bothering their bowels, most misanthropes will cite the cruelty, selfishness and willful ignorance of the vast majority of mankind. Racists, on the other hand, are driven by an unjustified superiority complex. I think, deep down, a misanthrope would choose to minimise harm, because it's that disgusting side of human nature that they hate. Racists, however, wish to cause harm.

 

[Helmholtz Watson]

probably because people are socially conditioned to not like racism, but the media doesn't tell you how to feel about Misanthropy

?

actually I wouls say racism comes from social conditiong..not the other way around, people dislike racsim because (in the society we live in now) they can see how stupid and pointless it really is

sure distrusting others of a different race is natural to an extent (natural, not right) but beliving yourself to be superior based on somthing as silly as the amount of melanin in your skin...is stupidm, but then again I think racism is more of cultral thing

Ok I'm confused, if racism is hating somebody and thinking you better than them because of race, what would you call it if I hated another race because of their race, but I just thought I was about average? Example, lets say I hate all Jews/Middle Eastern people because I thought they where theives, but at the same time I didn't think much of myself? I never said that they are subhuman, just that I hate their race. What would I be called then?

all I ment was the term "social conditioning" has slighty negative conotations, you are probably correct, thats just how I was reading into it

well I used social conditioning on purpose because, (imo) telling me from a young age that I MUST hold an specific opinion on a certain topic (in this case, I MUST oppose the idea of racism) is social conditioning/indoctrination. Now you can argue that it is positive or good intended social conditioning, however it is social conditioning all the same. I question anybody who tells me what "my" opinion on a subject should be before I'm even given the chance to think about it on my own.

but seriously, what would you call those kinds of people? Prejudice, bigots?

 

[DanDeFool]

I would say it's the difference between reason and irrationality. After all, there are plenty of perfectly rational reasons to hate all of humanity. It may be still be a bit off, but it's perfectly reasonable, maybe even natural, to have a deep-seated dislike for people in general.

However, if your argument is that all the members of a certain group of people are the scum of the earth, who delight in murder, destruction, rape, and excess; while the members of another group are all the inspired geniuses who are responsible for everything good in the world and are destined to be the rulers of all mankind; and that the sole characteristic that distinguishes the former group from the latter is skin color; you are clearly dwelling in crazy land.

Also, Hitler. That pretty much sums it up.

 

[Rin Little]

It's pretty much all been said already... Misanthropes hate everyone, doesn't matter about race, sex, sexuality, social standing, or any other kind of social divider you can find, it's just hatred of people at large

 

[Vault101]

I hate people and can still function in society. I don't base any reason on something because the guy in question is a different color. I don't care what skin color you are, if I don't know you, then your a untrustworthy prick. I hide it from the world and give the ones I hate a fake smile and a lukewarm handshake.

your attitude doesnt exactally compell me to be nice to you or have respect

I have a feeling misanthropy is a cycle of sorts (and I also belive attitude is VERY important to everything you do in life..thats just me however)

I met you in real life, you wouldn't know. I can guarantee that you have more enemies than you can count, but they hide it well. I think respect is overated, let alone from someone I don't care about.

I dont have any enemies, theres no one out there actively hating ME personally or plotting my demise (Im sure theres some out there whi dislike me..not hate..I dont know enough people to have any haters)

so anyway what if you actually get to know somone? I mean theres got to be some traits in a person you like

I am sorry to burst your bubble, but everyone has enemies. I have friends just like everyone else, you should of known that. I hate people I don't know. I don't trust strangers and it has kept me from being screwed over or getting into trouble.

you could probably hate the general masses

BUT what about individuals? I dont think you can hate induviduals without knowing them, you can assume the worst untill proven otherwise OR having your belife confirmed

but the fact you have freinds shows you can be proven otherwise

 

[Frozen Donkey Wheel2]

Because Yatzee Croshaw is one of the most widely known internet misantrhopes and we love him.

Yeah, the key word there is "internet".

And to your question:

1. Because misanthropes don't have a centuries-long legacy of human rights violation behind their attitude, and

2. Because no one with a brain in their head takes misanthropes seriously in the first place.

 

[ivarsa15]

Because Yatzee Croshaw is one of the most widely known internet misantrhopes and we love him.

What this person said.

 

[Vault101]

probably because people are socially conditioned to not like racism, but the media doesn't tell you how to feel about Misanthropy

?

actually I wouls say racism comes from social conditiong..not the other way around, people dislike racsim because (in the society we live in now) they can see how stupid and pointless it really is

sure distrusting others of a different race is natural to an extent (natural, not right) but beliving yourself to be superior based on somthing as silly as the amount of melanin in your skin...is stupidm, but then again I think racism is more of cultral thing

Ok I'm confused, if racism is hating somebody and thinking you better than them because of race, what would you call it if I hated another race because of their race, but I just thought I was about average? Example, lets say I hate all Jews/Middle Eastern people because I thought they where theives, but at the same time I didn't think much of myself? I never said that they are subhuman, just that I hate their race. What would I be called then?

all I ment was the term "social conditioning" has slighty negative conotations, you are probably correct, thats just how I was reading into it

well I used social conditioning on purpose because, (imo) telling me from a young age that I MUST hold an specific opinion on a certain topic (in this case, I MUST oppose the idea of racism) is social conditioning/indoctrination. Now you can argue that it is positive or good intended social conditioning, however it is social conditioning all the same. I question anybody who tells me what "my" opinion on a subject should be before I'm even given the chance to think about it on my own.

but seriously, what would you call those kinds of people? Prejudice, bigots?

that is correct...HOWEVER

I think the conclusion "rasicm is wrong" doesnt only have to come from social conditioning

I mean somone can grow up in a prejudiced environment..but mabye they can leave and learn thatthose certain veiws are perhaps a little ignorant (mabye by getting to know others of a differet ethnicity)..not saying it happens allt he time but it can happen

 

[Char-Nobyl]

I think we can all agree that there are few attitudes as taboo in the modern age as racism. Nothing will lead quicker to total social ostricization than to let loose a few racist comments and slurs. We all hate those ignorant, hate filled fucks. My question is why doesn't this attitude carry over to misanthropes, those folks who hate all of humanity instead of just some particular segment? Misanthropes enjoy a much warmer cultural reception. He can be seen as charming and sympathetic, someone fed up with the bullshit of his species. Even at his worst, the general misanthrope is received better than a racist.

Why is this? Shouldn't it logically follow that misanthropes are worse people than racists if they do the racist's job and then some?

Because a misanthrope is consistent, and thus easily ignored. Someone who hates literally everyone on Earth is utterly irrelevant because they'll never affect our lives: that would require them to interact with others, which they'll never do. Racists manage to get public office all the time.

 

[Supertegwyn]

Racism isn't taboo. It's perfectly normal and allowed, provided you're not white, and discriminating against white people.

Of course being white and discriminating someone, now that would indeed be a horrible crime.

Then again, misanthropy isn't taken very seriously, and hates on everyone, so nobody can feel offended.

That is the most hateful and bigoted comment I have read all day.
Mind, I haven't read a lot of comments today so I'm sure I will find worse.

 

[chadachada123]

Because people are more concerned about equality than they are with... well most anything else, actually. At least that's the way it is in America.

na, we Americans just pretend that "we don't see color", I think America is probably just secretly racist now.

It's not really that secret, it's just that everyone's distracted by the rampant islamophobia and heterosexism.

Well the Islam reaction comes with war, just like anti-German/Japanese feelings back in the 1940's. Heterosexism? wtf? Last I checked, most people tell me I'm not supposed to say, "that's so gay".

Bullshit. We're not "at war" with Islam or the majority of Islamic culture. We're not even in a state of war with a tiny fraction of Muslims, as opposed to being at war with the entire country of Germany, that is, most of German culture, and Japan, or all of Japanese culture.

False equivalency is false.

(I do believe that that poster was referring to the pro-hetereosexual/anti-homosexual attitude in much of the US today, regarding the second part. Not everywhere in the US is as civilized as, say, a college campus; there's still tons of people that think that gay people should have fewer rights than straights by virtue of having an uncontrollable personality trait alone).

 

[GraveeKing]

I think a better question would be why aren't all prejudices treated equally.

It's not ok to be sexist or racist but it is ok to be homophobic? Not cool brah.

These days - sexism is fine as long as you're a women. I don't think I've ever heard of a women being put down for being sexist, yet I hear it plenty of times....

Although really surely if you hate all humanity equally - you're not doing anything wrong really, it means they hate themselves too IF they actually mean it (which is rather rare). In which case they'll probably end up becoming Emo anyway, not my problem eh?

Oh and to get back to homophobia - I've not seen much in the part of Britain I live in, you get the occasional quote or person mentioning something a bit low, but not outright homophobia. Hell, by today's standards, liking twilight makes you more gay than being bisexual.
Apparently. I don't really have much of an opinion on it, so there we go!


By god I got off topic.... point is really though - there's no reason to lose faith in a specific group of people based on ethical origin. Although there's plenty of reason to lose faith in all of humanity in general - i.e finding that more people are stupid than not, so there's no reason to really meet someone and think differently. Seems logical enough to me, it's just the assumption you'll hate anyone before you meet them - it's no worse than a pessimistic attitude.