I find this an excellent article. I grew up in an LDS church with all caucasian members until a young lady from the South Pacific showed up as a student, nurse or doctor, I can no longer recall. It stayed that way with the addition of a Filipino until after the priesthood was granted to all worthy men. The very next Saturday, one of the workers in the Temple was definitely a very dark skinned Elder. Fast forward 15 years and the ward held an ethnic pot luck dinner. at least 21 different cultures were represented. Food came in the form of a roasted suckling pig from the Filipino, a cook by occupation to a very odiferous fish from one of the African nations, This group was one of the friendliest wards I have had the privilege of attending. I would love to be able to say racism never showed up in our wards or stakes, but wish to keep in good stead with the Lord and will not tell that lie. The economic makeup of this unit ranged from medical specialists, students, engineers, and janitors. No one took offence at anyone of these members sitting next to them.
somebodyJuly 19, 2016
To Dave Hall: I agree with you. I thought the same thing myself.
To Ian Gray: "always wildly incorrect" - generalize much? Profiling works most of the time. No, it's not 100%, but it has saved/is saving lives.
AnonJuly 19, 2016
It is hard to determine if another's actions are racist. If I was walking down the street, I would avoid a group of black,swaggering teens. They may think I did that because I am white. They would probably not take into account I would do the same no matter the color. They would represent a potential threat to me. The very idea that they would label me racist is in itself racist.They would be assuming something about me that is not true. It is just wise to avoid a situation you think could be trouble. I don't ever look at "scary" white people and think, "Oh, they are white. No problem."
Tom JohnsonJuly 19, 2016
Thoughtful and insightful article, Mark. Sometime, I would like to extend this discussion to include the subject of "discrimination." Discrimination based on race is immoral and illegal because you cannot judge a person by the conduct of other members of that person's race. However, discrimination based on sin is not immoral or illegal; in fact, it is exactly what God does when determining whether or not to bless a person.
Ron BarnesJuly 19, 2016
I would not limit the definition to future behavior, but to past and present behavior also.
BrendaJuly 19, 2016
Always. Always I find something to really think about in your writings. Thank you for dissecting topics and issues about which I need to be more honest. I, for one, clearly need to work at changing my mind and heart.
Dave HallJuly 19, 2016
You have some valid points, but I think you're slightly off mark. Trying to predict behavior because of race or other characteristic is stereotyping, but I don't think that is racism in EVERY case. If someone thinks an oriental person is more likely to be doing well in school, that is a stereotype. Racism is animosity toward someone because of their race. If a man wants to kill someone because they are white, he isn't trying to predict behavior, he just hates someone because of the color of their skin. I think that's what racism is.
Don PritchardJuly 19, 2016
"Latter-Day Saints should look at everyone with just one preconceived notion – that this person is our brother or sister and a fellow child of God." Amen! If we say this to ourselves every time we have contact with another person, this world would be a happier, better place.
ian GrayJuly 19, 2016
You said Anglo descent. Did you mean ancestry from the British Isles? From Northern Europe? From Europe in general? From Western Asia?
You also said racial profiling does have a place while writing an article that shows very clearly that racial or ethnic profiling never has a place. You might want to reconsider that statement. I don't even think that racial or other ethnic or religious or cultural profiling ever has a place. It only perpetuates stereotypes that are always wildly incorrect in their portrayal of the target groups.
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DonJuly 22, 2016
I find this an excellent article. I grew up in an LDS church with all caucasian members until a young lady from the South Pacific showed up as a student, nurse or doctor, I can no longer recall. It stayed that way with the addition of a Filipino until after the priesthood was granted to all worthy men. The very next Saturday, one of the workers in the Temple was definitely a very dark skinned Elder. Fast forward 15 years and the ward held an ethnic pot luck dinner. at least 21 different cultures were represented. Food came in the form of a roasted suckling pig from the Filipino, a cook by occupation to a very odiferous fish from one of the African nations, This group was one of the friendliest wards I have had the privilege of attending. I would love to be able to say racism never showed up in our wards or stakes, but wish to keep in good stead with the Lord and will not tell that lie. The economic makeup of this unit ranged from medical specialists, students, engineers, and janitors. No one took offence at anyone of these members sitting next to them.
somebodyJuly 19, 2016
To Dave Hall: I agree with you. I thought the same thing myself. To Ian Gray: "always wildly incorrect" - generalize much? Profiling works most of the time. No, it's not 100%, but it has saved/is saving lives.
AnonJuly 19, 2016
It is hard to determine if another's actions are racist. If I was walking down the street, I would avoid a group of black,swaggering teens. They may think I did that because I am white. They would probably not take into account I would do the same no matter the color. They would represent a potential threat to me. The very idea that they would label me racist is in itself racist.They would be assuming something about me that is not true. It is just wise to avoid a situation you think could be trouble. I don't ever look at "scary" white people and think, "Oh, they are white. No problem."
Tom JohnsonJuly 19, 2016
Thoughtful and insightful article, Mark. Sometime, I would like to extend this discussion to include the subject of "discrimination." Discrimination based on race is immoral and illegal because you cannot judge a person by the conduct of other members of that person's race. However, discrimination based on sin is not immoral or illegal; in fact, it is exactly what God does when determining whether or not to bless a person.
Ron BarnesJuly 19, 2016
I would not limit the definition to future behavior, but to past and present behavior also.
BrendaJuly 19, 2016
Always. Always I find something to really think about in your writings. Thank you for dissecting topics and issues about which I need to be more honest. I, for one, clearly need to work at changing my mind and heart.
Dave HallJuly 19, 2016
You have some valid points, but I think you're slightly off mark. Trying to predict behavior because of race or other characteristic is stereotyping, but I don't think that is racism in EVERY case. If someone thinks an oriental person is more likely to be doing well in school, that is a stereotype. Racism is animosity toward someone because of their race. If a man wants to kill someone because they are white, he isn't trying to predict behavior, he just hates someone because of the color of their skin. I think that's what racism is.
Don PritchardJuly 19, 2016
"Latter-Day Saints should look at everyone with just one preconceived notion – that this person is our brother or sister and a fellow child of God." Amen! If we say this to ourselves every time we have contact with another person, this world would be a happier, better place.
ian GrayJuly 19, 2016
You said Anglo descent. Did you mean ancestry from the British Isles? From Northern Europe? From Europe in general? From Western Asia? You also said racial profiling does have a place while writing an article that shows very clearly that racial or ethnic profiling never has a place. You might want to reconsider that statement. I don't even think that racial or other ethnic or religious or cultural profiling ever has a place. It only perpetuates stereotypes that are always wildly incorrect in their portrayal of the target groups.
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