Why people have to be judgemental of others? Why are they racist/sexist/homophobic discriminate in any way? It can't be self esteem so what is it? Why are so many xenophobes?

I find that the most judgment of others comes from those saying that we shouldn't be judgmental. It's the perpetual irony that many who preach tolerance the loudest tend to judge others the harshest.

I think it CAN be self esteem. Some people have a need to feel like they are better than others which is a sign of insecurity. Some of them want to think they are important or have some kind of power. Some just hate. That & what Shale said.

I think that goes back to Early Man. If I could prove it I'd be willing to bet that such behaviors existed between Neanderthal and Humans.

CeCe wrote:

I think it CAN be self esteem. Some people have a need to feel like they are better than others which is a sign of insecurity. Some of them want to think they are important or have some kind of power. Some just hate. That & what Shale said.

Good analyses CeCe.

I admit, I have never fully understood the link between discrimination and low self-esteem. I seriously doubt low self-esteem is to blame as often as many people think it is.

I think it all has to do with how self-centered people are. People think their way is the only way. It's everything from sexual preference to parenting.

It's in our nature to judge.

I think it has to do with a fear of the unknown and lack of understanding of each other. Today we live in a small world due to the internet, and more and more people are learning from each other. Years ago when communication was not as readily available, and people stayed "with like kind", i do not think they understood each other. In Philly, my family lived in the "italian section" and the "german section"...these lines were not crossed. My italian grandmother was terrified of gypsies, but couldnt tell me why.

I work in a building where racial, sexual, and even religious issues are openly discussed. In a building of 1500, I can honestly state that i have only met about 4 racist a$$holes. Two were white and two were black... but racists all the same. I do not think that we openly discuss things enough. The women in our building talk about how white women get curly perms, and black women get straight perms. We talk about how some black men really like hairy legs. We talk about how soul food creates physical problems such as thyroid problems.... we talk about skin differences with soaps/lotions that need to specifically do things for the different colors... we talk about how the asian women's hair is more course and never wants to curl--- and then we find ways to fix any problems the others have. We talk about how a woman could be married and have children, then decide to start dating women. I even had a supervisor "Bob" who became "Vicki" and asked me for my ob/gyn to make an appt--- then when i asked her why she would need a pap smear when she did not have a real cervix, she explained the whole procedure to me, and that her cells could change. In none of these discussions does anyone get offended, or accusatory, it is just people (almost like a family) who talk about things.

But u have to remember, i live in an area where they think that Rocky was a real person who really lived here! LOL