[elSicomoro]

Originally posted by LUVBUGZ
I realize I'm not the center of attention around here, but my low self-esteem often leads me to believe such commentary is directed at me.

Eh, ummm...no. It wasn't directed towards you at all. I was actually just thinking about that "design your own hell" site that I posted in my "sites of the moment" thread, and about people and things I don't like. Then I started thinking about hatred as a whole, and that's how I came up with the thread. Nothing to do with your posts whatsoever.

I have made more than a few un-PC racial slurs in my posts. If I "extremely dislike" several people of a particular race (or belief system) who seem to be poster children for the stereotype associated w/ their group---as opposed to HATE them---am I still a 'racist'?

Let's look at the core definition of racism (from Merriam-Webster): "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race"

Based upon what you mentioned above, you could be considered racist. Racism is based on beliefs, not emotions. Although, as I mentioned in the "Life as a racist" thread, my parents were/may still be light-to-moderate racists. They're not fans of cross-burnings and people being drug to their death. So as a whole, I think racism can vary in its intensity.

The term "race" also tends to be used improperly. Depending on whom you talk to and what you believe, there are three races: caucasoid, negroid, and mongoloid. So, if you don't like those "dirty spics," that's more of an ethnic issue (as Latinos can come from all three above-mentioned races).

I think that nature and nurture work together, and that it's rarely only one or the other. There are instances of complete environmental fuck-up, and bad hard-wiring from the get go. However, I think it becomes more like a Trading Places situation in the end. You could have good genes, but if you're thrown into a crappy environment, you could wind up like Winthorp (Dan Aykroyd's character) when everything in his life is snatched from him.

Now, I'm not just basing this on a 1983 movie here. My conclusions are based on all the psychological and sociological study I've done and read over the past decade...and my life experiences in general.

I like your idea of 'redirecting ones hatred into written form'. Maybe that's what I'm doing in my posts. Maybe the Cellar isn't the place to do it. I wonder if putting it down on paper would wane ones "hatred" if no one else read it?

As far as Cellar not being the place...that depends. You'd be amazed at how peoples' thoughts and opinions will change based on what is posted. I'm a perfect example of this when it comes to gun rights. And thought and opinion are not legislated yet in this country. Posting your opinions could be theraputic and educational for you.

Having said this though, a caveat: If you are going to post opinion, make sure you qualify it. Passing opinion as fact is not cool, and will earn you a verbal smackdown from the regulars.

I'm thinking if no one ever sees your thoughts or views you've written down than you are basically left to ponder your thoughts alone. They may as well be kept in you head then which can lead to an even greater hatred as your mind fills w/ thoughts constantly ramming the inside of your cranium.

Not necessarily, at least for me. Just having it written down is good enough sometimes. Later on, you can reflect on it, like "man, I was really fucking pissed then."