THE PHILOSOPHY OF RACISM (Let's cut the Crap!)

For too long now, every time someone, somewhere, criticises someone or something that doesn't belong to their own culture, they are howled-down by shouts of 'Racist!' It's a problem. Firstly, because it demonises the critic, and secondly, because it potentially blinds us to what could be a truth, that we all need to know. This is what the concept of 'Free Speech' is based upon. (You may not agree with somebody, but you should at least listen - you never know what nugget of information you may pick up that might be important to you. You don't know what you don't know! )

'Racism' has become a dirty word, but we are all racist! Of course we are. And - and this may come a surprise to you all - it is completely normal and mentally healthy to be racist.

I can hear those HOWLS already! But bear with me . . .

Think, for a moment, philosophically, instead of emotionally.

HUMAN BEINGS ARE, BY NATURE, RACIST.

We are all tribal creatures. And it's in our genes to be so. It's normal for us to protect our tribe first, above all others.

Getting down to the nitty-gritty . . . If there were a threat of some sort, you would first protect your immediate family (partner and children would be your first priority). Then your concerns would be for your wider family (parents, siblings, nephews, nieces, etc.). Next would be your neighbours, then your village or town, then your tribe. And by 'tribe' I mean everybody who shares the same genetic pool as you, and has been brought up in the same culture as you.

HUMAN BEINGS PROTECT THEIR GENES.

All animals protect their own genes!

And it's completely natural for them to do so!

It's inbred in us to want our genes to survive and procreate, above all others.

I love my child more than I love your child. If they were both drowning, I'd save mine first. This doesn't mean that I wouldn't go back and save your child, after mine was safe - it just means that mine would come first with me. My priority would be for my genes to survive.

This doesn't mean that we cannot be kind and considerate to others - those of another family, town or 'tribe'. But it does mean that we should be honest with ourselves and recognise that 'we' come first, and that's okay. It's a rule of Nature, and it's there for a very good reason.

This doesn't mean that we can't criticise ourselves or others. We should all speak out if we think something is wrong or unacceptable.

But no-one should be labelled a racist for doing so!