With our society getting more and more PC, I want to clarify something. The difference between something that is "racial" and something that is "racist".
A while ago when I was out drinking with some colleagues, one of them blurted out that he doesn't date Asians. And immediately his eyes widened and he stared at me. I just smiled. This is why. Saying you have a personal preference to date or not date a certain race isn't in and of itself racist. It's a racial preference or deterrence. His reason for not dating Asians was that he didn't find Asians attractive. As someone who grew up in the south in America, I completely understood that. Some people do not find certain racial features attractive. That's personal preference and that's NOT racist. What would be racist would be if he said something like "I don't date Asians because I don't like ching chong people". Or "I don't date black people because they smell like fried chicken". Those are racist comments, but simply saying you prefer a certain race or do not prefer a certain race is racial preference/deterrence, not racism. I asked him a follow-up question to clarify any misunderstanding. If you saw an Asian girl that just blew your mind, would you ask her out? His answer was yes.
We of the western world tend to place so much emphasis on race that it's making us walk around on eggshells terrified of pointing out differences. And if someone does, we're quick to vilify them as racists. But some things are just racial, not racist. The main difference between racial and racist is often the intent behind it and whether or not the comment is factually accurate. Racial is calling "African Americans" black. Racist is calling them n!##$%@. Racial is saying Juan owns his own landscaping company. Racist is meeting Juan off the street and asking him to mow your lawn. Racial is saying Jing Chang can code almost anything. Racist is meeting him on the street and telling him to fix your computer.
I'll be the first to admit that the line between racial and racist can often be blurred. But we should give someone the benefit of a doubt before jumping on the racism bandwagon. Not every white person is a racist, and yes minorities CAN be racist too.
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