Pychologist Elizabeth-Page Gould concludes from her research: “if the racist person then has to go through this every single day, the repeated stress can become a chronic problem, which places them at heightened risk for disease in later life.” [August 9, 2010]
Maybe. But in my view racism is to be repudiated because it is morally repugnant and scientifically unsound.
I am not convinced that racists inherently suffer because of this mental and cultural ailment.
All through history and in practically all societies there have been (as there still are) racists of various shades who are perfectly happy and self-satisfied in the bliss of their ignorant cocoons. Not all of them are always vicious or even stressed out.
It is important to teach society and our children that racism, like lying, hurting, and infidelity, is morally wrong, and should therefore be rejected, rather than threatening them with unhappy consequences, real or imaginary, should they engage in it.
Science-based morality is one of the weakest genres of moral behavior, no different than asking people not to steal because, if they did, the cops will catch them or God would send them to an uncomfortable place some day.
August 9, 2010
Spurts of Thought 