Whenever you say a word, you should know the meaning of it. This concept isn't very hard to understand, yet many people, including myself, have a difficult time practicing it. Words have power. They convey meanings which we use to interact with other people. There can be severe consequences for saying words that you don't know the meaning of, especially words that carry negative connotations. Below is a list of four words that we should all learn the meanings of. They are very often misused and misunderstood both by politicians and the average person. Now this isn't a cry to be more or less politically correct; rather this is a cry to understand the definitions and meanings of the words that we choose to say. Take a minute or two to make sure you know the definitions of these words. If little kids can learn a couple of new words every day, then so can the rest of us.
1. "Racism"
This word, which is sadly embedded very deep in American culture, is misused by thousands of people every day. Racism is an enormous problem in our country, and the scars of its institutional implementation are still fresh. As individuals, we might not be able to combat widespread racism, but we can learn the definition of it, and understand what it truly means. Racism (according to the Google definition) is the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. Its second listed definition is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior. Race is very heavily based on the idea of power. Saying something negative about a person of another race doesn't make you racist. It makes you rude, ignorant or prejudice. Racism doesn't equate to bad manners. Racism equates to placing power over another race and forcing an implication of inferiority upon them. Prejudice, discrimination, and antagonism are forms of racist behavior, but simply describing someone by their race is not (granted there can be a fine line). Calling someone a racist when they're not doesn't make you a patron of social justice. It just makes you look unintelligent.
2. "Prejudice"
Prejudice is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. Another way to define prejudice is to pre-judge someone (wow, just like how the name sounds). Our prejudices are often created and informed by our past experiences and societal influences. Prejudices are often racially contextualized and are informed by stereotypes and a deep history of discrimination. The idea that Asians are worse at driving than members of other races is a prejudice. If you think that African-Americans are more likely to steal something than whites, that's prejudice. Now, prejudice isn't a good thing or pretty, but it's separate from racism. Being politically correct is acceptable, but throwing around the wrong terms isn't. We all need to understand that prejudice and racism are different entities. Yes, one feeds into another, but someone isn't a racist just because they carry a prejudice. Prejudices are concerned with thoughts. Racism is concerned with thoughts that meet application. Like most thoughts, a prejudice isn't a fact just because you thought of it or believe it. It's a preconceived notion that isn't derived from facts or statistics. While facts and statistics are one thing, prejudices are certainly another.
3. "Hypocrite"
A hypocrite is a person who indulges in hypocrisy. What's hypocrisy? Oh, well I'm glad you asked! Hypocrisy is the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform. Essentially, hypocrisy is when you say one thing and do another, or criticize a certain action and then perform that same action. For instance, if you criticize people for the prejudice that they carry and display while you have your own, you're a bonified hypocrite. Everyone performs hypocritical actions, yet we are rarely aware of them. We shouldn't preach to other people about living up to certain standards that we cannot live up to ourselves. One of the biggest flaws that many people carry is not being able to live up to the expectations that they set for everyone else around them.
4. "Bigot"
Ah, my favorite! A bigot is a person who is intolerant toward those holding different opinions. Bigots believe that their opinions are correct and that anyone who holds a different opinion is wrong. They fail to attempt to listen or understand anyone who holds beliefs that differ from their own. The fallacy in this logic is that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. While some opinions may not based upon strong, hard facts, they are opinions nonetheless. Opinions are subjective. If you don't like what someone else believes you aren't entitled to decide that they're wrong. If someone likes the New York Yankees and you don't, you aren't entitled to berate their opinion. Bigotry is ultimately disrespectful and ugly.
Hopefully, you have a better grasp of the definitions of these four words, but don't limit the assessment of your vocabulary to just these. Make sure you understand the words that are coming out of your mouth and think before you speak. Words are powerful, so know the weight they carry.
