How do you define racism?

[marplots]

I'm confused by the arguments saying, in effect, that someone who exclaimed, "Stupid ******!" after being knocked off a bike by a black person isn't necessarily a racist person. The mere fact that their first thought was a racial epithet indicates to me that said person is a racist. Maybe not a hate-filled white supremacist, but certainly a person whose worldview is informed by racial biases.

I can offer an explanation.

When I am really mad at someone - as in the circumstances you describe - I do not immediately become violent. Instead, I "use my words." In this case, the words I want are the most hurtful words that come to mind. Since I think racist slurs are hurtful, I might very well go down that road, not because of how I feel about someone's race, but because I want to create a certain, painful effect in my target.

 

[fuelair]

I can offer an explanation.

When I am really mad at someone - as in the circumstances you describe - I do not immediately become violent. Instead, I "use my words." In this case, the words I want are the most hurtful words that come to mind. Since I think racist slurs are hurtful, I might very well go down that road, not because of how I feel about someone's race, but because I want to create a certain, painful effect in my target.

I don't - I like it to be really clear that I am not happy with what they did but do not care who they are or what. So I tend to phrases like *******, mother (or father) **********, **** licking infinitissimal nematode, Trumpsucker!, and similar.