(07-14-2018, 09:59 AM)copycat Wrote:

(07-14-2018, 09:36 AM)mikesez Wrote: Propaganda tactics have been bilateral since the 1950s if not earlier.

Also, neither the US left nor the US right are monolithic.  If some crazy protestor somewhere says something, it doesn't necessarily reflect on the whole

I think the extremes have found their way to the center though.  For example the left believes anyone that voted for Trump is a racist, and that is not just the extremist that believe this.

I think, today, any accusation or mention of racism shouldn't be upsetting, on its own.  I think you have to learn more about who the accuser is and what they believe about racism before deciding if you should be upset.  

As an example, I happen to think *everyone* is a little bit racist.   I'm not the only one who thinks this.  There was a Tony award winning musical that said the same thing.
So if I tell you I think you're racist, it's not in any way personal.  I think everyone, except small children, is. I think I'm a little racist.  I'm trying to work on it, but it's not easy.  I think it'd be worse if I was in denial as many seem to be, however.

Other times, when people say "racist" or "racism", they are describing institutions, not individuals. We should probably have thick enough skin to not get offended when an institution is accused. Let's save our getting offended for personal accusations, not institutional ones.

---