Racism

When someone thinks of racism, they usually think of the past. Not the present. Racism is still a huge part of every day life and not every one realizes it. The Democrat & Chronicle recently published a blog on several different issues of racism and it has caused many different reactions and opinions...

Is it racist for a restaurant wait staff to let a Latino couple who arrive early for the dinner rush wait until everybody else has been served? 

I think this is extremely racist. If the couple arrived early for the rush, they should be served first. It is disrespectful to make them wait until everyone else is served just because of their race. Everyone deserves equal treatment and it is not right to make them wait for everyone else to be  served just because they are Latino. 

Is it racist for a white man to forbid African-American nurses from holding his newborn baby?

When such a miracle has just happened, the only thing that should be important at that moment, is the fact that a child has been brought into the world. Every new baby that is born is a blessing and a miracle and the important thing should be the new baby, not who is holding it. No one should focus on the color of the skin of the nurse holding your baby. You should focus on your baby. 

Is it racist for a high school homecoming parade to feature a float with a tepee and an "Indian maid" with a feather in her hair to celebrate the school's athletic teams that are known as the Braves?

This can be a difficult one, but I do not think this particular example is racist. The Native Americans were a very important part of United States history and if the girl is just showing school spirit and supporting her school in a respectful manner, I don't think it's racist. 

Is it racist for the Border Patrol to target populations that are clearly Latino in its search for immigrants without proper documentation?

I feel that this is racist because they are judging based just on appearance and jumping to conclusions as to who is an illegal immigrant. This is due to stereotyping in society. Race should not play a factor in what people are and what they are capable of. There are Latino immigrants that don't have proper documentation but there are also many other races that may not have proper documentation. So why only focus on one race?

Is is racist for anyone, regardless of color, to use the word "nigger"?

In my opinion, this word should never be used, regardless of race or color. I think it is disrespectful. Some people may say that it depends who is around and who says it but I think it is always offensive and should never be used.