[Golfingnut]

It would appear that it is nit our fault that as we age we are quite prejudice about many issues.

Older People Are More Prejudiced - And They Can't Help It

[rubicon]

These experts would have save themselves and others time and money because the answer to their question was explained in the musical South Pacific "You have to be carefully taught".

Actually prejudice was probably instinctive and essential in early man because it made them cautious and defensive when being approached by strangers.

Today I suspect there is a misunderstanding between being prejudice and not attracted to certain type personalities (simple likes and dislikes or customs and traditions) ; irrespective of race creed religion.

As for older folks because they are retired from employment and the social scene they probably freely display more because they are no longer obligated
or dependent on anyone. So the consequences of calling someone a ------) you fill in the blanks is no longer relevant

[2BNTV]

As the Beatles said, "LET IT BE".

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

As the Beatles said, "LET IT BE".

You are right Joe.

There will be bitterness and ugliness in this thread.


And it was not started in order to educate and to bring peace.

[joerocker]

Wisdom, prejudice, go hand in hand. As you age, it's harder to pull the wool over our eyes and we see truth for truth no matter what we're supposed to think about things.

[BarryRX]

Originally Posted by joerocker

Wisdom, prejudice, go hand in hand. As you age, it's harder to pull the wool over our eyes and we see truth for truth no matter what we're supposed to think about things.

Please explain. It sounds like you're saying that the more wisdom a person has, the more prejudice he has. I have found just the opposite to be true.

[redwitch]

Sorry, I cannot accept an excuse for people to be small-minded, bigoted or downright mean. We have choices and we do what we want with those choices. It is easy to say that inhibitions break down as we age but that doesn't mean we have to open our big mouths and show others our cruelty, ignorance and insecurities.

[Shimpy]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Sorry, I cannot accept an excuse for people to be small-minded, bigoted or downright mean. We have choices and we do what we want with those choices. It is easy to say that inhibitions break down as we age but that doesn't mean we have to open our big mouths and show others our cruelty, ignorance and insecurities.

EVERYONE is prejudice.....What if I said I hate serial killers, rapists, child and animal abusers. By your standards I show ignorance and insecurities????

[kittygilchrist]

Well there you go again Gnut, stirring up debate. Interesting stuff. thanks.

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by Shimpy

EVERYONE is prejudice.....What if I said I hate serial killers, rapists, child and animal abusers. By your standards I show ignorance and insecurities????

Shimpy - excellent point - I guess some prejudice is politically correct! Who decides?

[billethkid]

I think the older one is, the more likely they are to speak their mind, right, wrong or indifferent.

And then there are those who measure such things.

The younger one is the more likely they are to modify what they think or feel so as to not hurt one's feelings or cast doubt or be not in the popular majority.

Political correctness (...happens every time I use the term) is nothing more than an excuse to not do or say what is really right or wrong......the cowards way!

[gomoho]

[QUOTE=billethkid;842581]I think the older one is, the more likely they are to speak their mind, right, wrong or indifferent.

The younger one is the more likely they are to modify what they think or feel so as to not hurt one's feelings or cast doubt or be not in the popular majority.

Maybe the younger folks are not as confident in their beliefs - don't think they worry too much about hurting anyone's feeling, but do believe there is something to wanting to be aligned with the popular majority.

[BarryRX]

Originally Posted by Shimpy

EVERYONE is prejudice.....What if I said I hate serial killers, rapists, child and animal abusers. By your standards I show ignorance and insecurities????

The word prejudice refers to prejudgment, or forming an opinion before becoming aware of the relevant facts of a case. I don't think it applies to those you listed as an example. In those cases, we are well aware of the facts. Hating a child abuser isn't prejudice, it's a perfectly normal disgust at an abhorrent act.

[redwitch]

Originally Posted by Shimpy

EVERYONE is prejudice.....What if I said I hate serial killers, rapists, child and animal abusers. By your standards I show ignorance and insecurities????

Meriam-Webster: "prej·u·dice noun \ˈpre-jə-dəs\
: an unfair feeling of dislike for a person or group because of race, sex, religion, etc.

: a feeling of like or dislike for someone or something especially when it is not reasonable or logical" (emphasis added)

"big·ot noun \ˈbi-gət\
: a person who strongly and unfairly dislikes other people, ideas, etc. : a bigoted person; especially : a person who hates or refuses to accept the members of a particular group (such as a racial or religious group)" (emphasis added)

Disliking or even hating someone because they have harmed others willfully (serial killers, rapists, abusers, etc.) is an informed decision. Yes, we're all prejudiced but that doesn't mean we have the right to open our mouths and spew venom at someone because they have different viewpoints or don't look the way we think we should. Barring those with Alzheimer's or other mental illness, old age should not be used as an excuse to spew this venom.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a total bigot when it comes to those who are prejudiced. You use racial or sexual slurs around me, I will speak out. You harm another because of their race, religion, sexual preference, I will act out. Bigots are not welcome to enter into my life in any way, shape or form. They and their ill-founded hatred are free to take a very long walk off a very short pier (hopefully into shark-infested waters).

The difference is that my prejudice is not uninformed. I have seen the harm bigotry does, both psychologically and physically. I have heard venom spewed for no other reason than a person was transgender. I have seen judgments made based on the color of a man's skin, not on his behavior. I can cite studies showing the misconceptions of racial/religious/sexual bigotry and the harm caused by these misconceptions. If you can show me the harm of being adamantly against serial killers, rapists, abusers and, yes, bigots, I'll even listen and, who knows, maybe get over some of my dislike of those types of people.

[joerocker]

Red, do you see the irony?

You do yourself what you hate others for doing. Judging. Unfairly.

People have a right to their own opinion just as you do. Respect that and accept it. Not everyone will share your views.