Quote Originally Posted by Kenyth
"Racist" is slung around a bit too liberally these days in my opinion. You can't completely ignore different phsical traits and cultures. That in itself, should be an insult. You just can't use racial or cultural differences to "discriminate". Granted, the percetion of discrimination and racism is given to a lot of subjective definition. A comment that obviously shows someone to negatively disciminate against certain physical, religious or cultural differences should be labeled as racist. To curtail someones right to objectively discuss different people and cultures under threat of being accused of racism is just as bad as bigotry. It stifles education and free expression as much as the bigotry it's meant to prevent. When I say that in my opinion, the Egyptians were master stoneworkers because they built the pyramids, I don't expect (and refuse to) be labeled the racist bigot. White Widow was trying to express that he felt the Jewish culture and history showed a strong aptitude for financial prowess, and that he felt their success was a reason they were targetted for hatred. Right or wrong, it's not racism. I feel from my experience, that the hispanic culture fosters a better work ethic than the average American. Does that make me racist?
Saying that a specific culture fosters a better work ethic, is different than saying that members of a particular religion have a genetic predisposition for financial prowess.
One is an, at least, arguable position, the other is an ignorant statement.