Speaking Anthropologically, is Racism part of our human instinct?

[franksumatra]

Is there something in our Evolutionary make up that makes us inherently racist? Is it a defense mechanism from way back in our primitive days? To be instinctually suspect and wary of all other races and tribes but our own? Is it a response triggered by the survival drive? Just thinking aloud.

I think we all have a little bit of racism in us, that's very difficult to overlook. But I think we must all try harder, especially at this juncture in our history.

[ixion]

1. we still harbor many primal instincts

-- The instinct to breed.

-- The instinct to hunt

-- The instinct to nest


Sure, the point you make is valid. There is an instinctual hardwiring for us to not trust someone when perceived as being from another tribe. But just as we have laid to rest unneeded instincts in the past, so must we lay to rest the notion that different skin color means something -- in fact, that any perceived differences should be laid to rest, because we are all very, very human in the end.

[Spinzonner]

2. You haven't really defined racism

However, it seems somewhat obvious that tribalism is bred into the species in a way that reflects both families and communities that are like extended families. It would be hard for social animals like humans and many of its near relatives to survive without it and that involves being able to identify and categorize individuals according to shared characteristics.

So, to that extent that 'race' is used to group and label a multiplicity of human characteristics, it seems likely that it is involved in (potential) friend-or-foe identification instincts that enabled social groups and individuals to protect themselves from possible rivals/enemies.

However, since race is not a true genetic characteristic and does not breed distinctly, it is becoming both less identifiable and relevant in a heterogenous society the tolerates high levels of interbreeding between so-called racial groups.

[sweetheart]

3. 3 operating systems come with a body

1. Survival

2. Reproduction

3. social/tribal integration - seeking and developing ones reputation,
career and position in society

Then there is an operating system that comes with being conscious
and alive:

"the desire to be free" - and this is at odds with the former bodily
(read: ego) subsystems that seek to capture and indentify ones self
as the "me" self.

To be free, one needs leave behind the point of fixation, or assemblage
around which the personalities form that drive these lower 3 systems.
Freedom is in silence. Freedom is in action. Freedom is in detatchment
from desire, that compells one to identify ones consciousness as "the
body".

This creates the enlightened paradox, that true knowledge is beyond the
animus of the body, yet when these lower OS's are considered from
the POV of freedom, they can be re-engineered and improved to operate
better. This does not change freedom, but makes one a more polite
and perhaps civil human being, more successful and all that..

Hence, mysticism is born of re-engineering the operating systems of
self in the world, all the while with the humour born of the fact
that it is irrelevant in the light of liberation, death and all that
is really significant in life.

Racism, could be said to be born of the 3rd operating system of
tribalism, but as well, we're mature beings with free will and
we overcome our lower instincts in civil society... if that be a way
one has learned to identify ones tribe.... perhaps it was never a
way, rather that one is aware and has 2 legs, and knows how to smile.
:-)

[Mabus]

4. I would say no, it is a learned behavior

I can't base this something tangible (an article, book, etc.) instead I base it on my work with kids over the years. I've worked with grade school children for the past few years through after school programs. Kids will play with other kids regardless of their race. Children don't seem to care about race until they get older.

From my own perspective (I'm clearly bi-racial) I had friends that I played with at grade school. Most of the time everything was cool until the parents saw me or my mom (full blood American Indian) then their attitudes towards us kids spending time together changed. It happened with my siblings too. Instead of being bitter about it (and thanks to a great mom) I learned to value the person more than what they looked like. My husband is always asking me if I ever met someone I didn't like because I will go out of my way to engage people who seem marginalized.

[Maddy McCall]

7. And you are right. It is indeed learned behavior.

[hector459]

5. Yes, but as beings of "free will" it is our responsibility to rise above

instinct and behave humanely. This is what all the great religions of the world teach as that core. But obviously man ignores the tenants of his own religions. Man like to think and believe that he is higher than the other animals. However, inhumane actions indicated something else. In many cases we are no better than the other animals and in some cases we are much worse.

[Maddy McCall]

6. No, racism is not instinctual.

Sure, humans notice different phenotypes, and they always have. However, racism is NOT biologically instinctual.

[orpupilofnature57]

8. I think, therefore it's not. My prejudice is based, like all humans on ..

Fear.A social disease, convoluted, and sophisticated through time and civilization

[itzamirakul]

9. As the song goes..."You have to be taught...

Carefully, carefully taught."

Racsim is a learned behavior.

Even as practiced by tribes of the same color, for the sake of security or obtaining food (before people "learned how to share or barter), the act of seeing someone as "different," had to be taught.

[lastknowngood]

10. Tribalism which can be either nurtured or discouraged like the

urge to strike someone who disagrees with you it needs to be socially unacceptable.

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. I believe you're right.

What I found interesting about raising my children and watching them interact with other children, was how some children had such strong discriminating tastes at such an early age. They were quick learners because the differences interested them enough to understand and memorize the differences. Therefore, they developed strong likes and dislikes very early. "I like pink" or "I like blue." The problem with these children occurs when they don't get what they want. They fight and hate because someone else selected their colors.

On the other hand, my son, who I suspect was semi autistic, would take a tremendous amount of time making selections. He seemed even bothered if you asked him to select. It was agonizing to watch him consider factors that you can only imagine. For all I know, he was probably calculating complicated factors such as the longevity of the toy and its entertainment factor; but, in the end, if someone made a choice for him, he was fine with that as well.

Anyway, we live in an extremely competitive society. For that reason, people who hate other races find it easy to eliminate them from things like high paying jobs by playing the race card. Just you sit quietly and listen to them. If they don't like a dark-skinned manager, the discussion will inevitably get around to talking about some inferior quality that has been reinforced over the years through racism.

[AngryAmish]

12. As far as I can tell, all societies are at least somewhat racists

Based on that one can surmise that racism is somewhat hard-hired. And like all human frailties it must be overcome.