Some words illuminate others darken. Words have meaning, they elicit emotions that lead to actions. Words are manipulated to entertain, stir our souls, provoke evil, stimulate kindness, produce chaos, and prompt deference. Here are some words and brief comments about their use. You decide if they are dark or illuminating.
Diversity: “Made up of people or things that are different from each other”. Comment: The very mention of the word conjures up division. Extolling diversity as a social value is full of peril. The philosophy that embraces the virtues of diversity without the proper context is DIVISIVE. Someone or some group introduced this word into the day to day vernacular to exacerbate divisiveness.
Divisive: “Causing a lot of disagreement between people and causing them to separate into different groups”. No Comment Necessary.
Profiling: “The act or process of extrapolating information based on known traits or tendencies”. Comment: ALL people profile daily. It is a fundamental component of decision making. Profiling is used to buy a car, Ford or Chevrolet; entertainment, movie or baseball game; selecting a vacation spot, beach or mountains; and of course, people. Everyone is a member of several groups simultaneously and has the capability to transition to other groups. All groups are profiled. Migrant Workers, Doctors, Soldiers, Felonious Criminals, Politicians, Actors, Steel Workers, Lawyers, Cultures, and yes Race. If one desires to be profiled in a positive light make yourself that person. Except for Race, if you are in a group that is profiled in a way you do not appreciate, strive to be in a group that is profiled in a way you value.
POP QUIZ: You must choose a neighborhood to walk through alone at 2 AM. You just thought of two neighborhoods and made an immediate choice. I can describe the two neighborhoods and your choice.
Race: “Each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics”. Comment: Race is not religion, nationality, citizenship, culture, or ethnicity. Since we are all of a race, it can be argued that all of us practice racism. If you are of one race it is impossible to know with certainty the intricacies of another race. We all extrapolate information based on known traits or tendencies.
Racism: “A belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement”. Comment: There is too much irrefutable contrary evidence to subscribe to this definition of racism. Racism as a belief or doctrine as defined here is morally despicable.
Perhaps we should stress words that illuminate. Since we insist on acting based on emotion rather than reason, make these words stir our emotions and actions. Substitute any of these words for diversity (or any dark word) and you cannot help but automatically elicit a different emotion.
Respect: “Deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements”. No Comment Necessary.
Cooperation: “The process of working together to the same end”. No Comment Necessary.
Compassion: “Concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others”. No Comment Necessary.
Courtesy: “Politeness in one’s attitude and behavior toward others”. No Comment Necessary.
Understanding: “The power of abstract thought; intellect”. “Sympathetic awareness or tolerance”. No Comment Necessary.
Teamwork: “The combined action of a group of people, especially when effective and efficient”. No Comment Necessary.
I agree with some of your screed, but...
“You just thought of two neighborhoods and made an immediate choice.”
With mind-reading capability like that, you must be crazy rich and FReeping on your 150 foot yacht docked at your private island.
Many here would take issue with your comment on racism, on reasoned premises (genetics/natural selection, geographic environment/weather/resources, cultural history, etc.) I doubt the “irrefutable contrary evidence” is actually irrefutable. I doubt that any factual, honest racial comparison studies have been done, or if done, published publicly. Who would dare fund that?
A truly honest “race discussion” cannot yet happen. Nor a truly honest “feminism discussion”.