Of bigot and Bigotry
Background
CNN host Rick Sanchez was fired after making controversial remarks: calling out Comedy Central host Jon Stewart as a "bigot" for mocking him, and "complained that Jews — like Stewart — don't face discrimination. He also suggested that CNN, and perhaps the media industry more broadly, is run by Jews and elitists who look down on Hispanics like himself."
Now that is a big, bold statement from a brave man. Even if Sanchez is right and the Hispanics/blacks/etc. is dscriminated, but the thing is, anything related to race, ethnics, blood etc. is easy to turn controversial and tainted with. Sometime this is how some people "gets away with it" - but I wasn't sure who is the winner this time, or most of the time. Most Malaysian knows this all too well.
Nonetheless, I am more interested into the term 'bigot' - and Yahoo! gives me an interesting answer:
Bigot means some who pre- judges or who is prejudiced.
It can refer to anything that is different to the person in question - gender, race, religion, nationality - even sports or hobbies.
What makes people call you a bigot is not the fact you have strong views - as a bigot can actually have weak views but they are unchangeable in their opinions and views.
You mentioned listening to people but there are 2 types of listening
Physically listening - where you politey allow the person to speak without interrupting.
Psychologically listening where you absorb the information that the person actually tells you and understand what they have said.
If you do not want to change a view point a good tactic is to listen politely but not explore deepy what is being said and while being outwardly polite you inwardly, psychologicall and emotionally take a perfunctory or superficial approach to what you have been told and dismiss it.
Because deep down in your psycology you believe you are right and you will not be moved or swayed by new evidence or facts- even if they are stronger than the informaion you have.
If you are this way inclined you would be classed as a bigot as your psychology prevents you from absorbing rationale or factual behaviour in favour of the beliefs and views you already hold which you find emotionally and psychologically pleasing or comfortable.
Bigotry is not always bad as it can be a defense and survival mechanism as it puts the person who holds the bigotry in position where they are not influenced and sometimes can allow you to avoid danger or negative situations.
However it can also be bad as the person also is unable to accept facts or reality if they are at odds or conflicts to their beliefs, opinions or views they hold.
I have had friends who were bigots - not about race, sexuality or religion but things such as academia, study and education. They were simply unwilling to learn and hated anyone choosing to do so.
Their arguments for their beliefs were weak and while they would listen to the pros that outweighed the cons. You could see their concentration fading and mind wadering when the subject was broached.
PS What you have described you have is 'empathy' and a "Theory of Mind"-it means you are aware that people hold different views to you.
It does not prevent you from being a bigot -
Whether you are bigot depends upon if you can truly accept someone who is different from you or whether you can accept the person who holds different views to you has something valid or pertinent to say which CAN change or alter your beliefs .
Many bigots often state "we can agree to disagree" in the belief it makes them diplomatic but this is simply a polite way of saying "I have no intention of accepting what you say and my mind is made up and so just shut up."
I have met many bigots in my forty years on this earth and many of them are the most polite and affable people I have ever met. However they politely dismiss anything and eveybody that does not fit in with their views or life. So remember if you are not psychologically or emotionally listening you are not listening.
Source: http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090827031041AAnIibY
and on Sanchez
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20101001/bs_yblog_upshot/cnn-fires-host-rick-sanchez-over-controverial-remarks
CNN host Rick Sanchez was fired after making controversial remarks: calling out Comedy Central host Jon Stewart as a "bigot" for mocking him, and "complained that Jews — like Stewart — don't face discrimination. He also suggested that CNN, and perhaps the media industry more broadly, is run by Jews and elitists who look down on Hispanics like himself."
Now that is a big, bold statement from a brave man. Even if Sanchez is right and the Hispanics/blacks/etc. is dscriminated, but the thing is, anything related to race, ethnics, blood etc. is easy to turn controversial and tainted with. Sometime this is how some people "gets away with it" - but I wasn't sure who is the winner this time, or most of the time. Most Malaysian knows this all too well.
Nonetheless, I am more interested into the term 'bigot' - and Yahoo! gives me an interesting answer:
Bigot means some who pre- judges or who is prejudiced.
It can refer to anything that is different to the person in question - gender, race, religion, nationality - even sports or hobbies.
What makes people call you a bigot is not the fact you have strong views - as a bigot can actually have weak views but they are unchangeable in their opinions and views.
You mentioned listening to people but there are 2 types of listening
Physically listening - where you politey allow the person to speak without interrupting.
Psychologically listening where you absorb the information that the person actually tells you and understand what they have said.
If you do not want to change a view point a good tactic is to listen politely but not explore deepy what is being said and while being outwardly polite you inwardly, psychologicall and emotionally take a perfunctory or superficial approach to what you have been told and dismiss it.
Because deep down in your psycology you believe you are right and you will not be moved or swayed by new evidence or facts- even if they are stronger than the informaion you have.
If you are this way inclined you would be classed as a bigot as your psychology prevents you from absorbing rationale or factual behaviour in favour of the beliefs and views you already hold which you find emotionally and psychologically pleasing or comfortable.
Bigotry is not always bad as it can be a defense and survival mechanism as it puts the person who holds the bigotry in position where they are not influenced and sometimes can allow you to avoid danger or negative situations.
However it can also be bad as the person also is unable to accept facts or reality if they are at odds or conflicts to their beliefs, opinions or views they hold.
I have had friends who were bigots - not about race, sexuality or religion but things such as academia, study and education. They were simply unwilling to learn and hated anyone choosing to do so.
Their arguments for their beliefs were weak and while they would listen to the pros that outweighed the cons. You could see their concentration fading and mind wadering when the subject was broached.
PS What you have described you have is 'empathy' and a "Theory of Mind"-it means you are aware that people hold different views to you.
It does not prevent you from being a bigot -
Whether you are bigot depends upon if you can truly accept someone who is different from you or whether you can accept the person who holds different views to you has something valid or pertinent to say which CAN change or alter your beliefs .
Many bigots often state "we can agree to disagree" in the belief it makes them diplomatic but this is simply a polite way of saying "I have no intention of accepting what you say and my mind is made up and so just shut up."
I have met many bigots in my forty years on this earth and many of them are the most polite and affable people I have ever met. However they politely dismiss anything and eveybody that does not fit in with their views or life. So remember if you are not psychologically or emotionally listening you are not listening.
Source: http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090827031041AAnIibY
and on Sanchez
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20101001/bs_yblog_upshot/cnn-fires-host-rick-sanchez-over-controverial-remarks
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