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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=jsteele]Which one of those resolutions do you find offensive? They sound like common sense to me.
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The premise itself is offensive and hypocritical.  The underlying assumption here that it's accurate and acceptable to attribute behavior/ideology to a group based on race/gender.

It seems to me that you either (a) believe in judging people as individuals, based on their words/actions, or (b) you believe in judging people based on their group "identity".

As a matter of principle, most don't tolerate judging people based on identity--it's anathema to our ideals.

So why then is it acceptable when it comes to white men?

Sincere question--I've never understood how people could justify this apparent inconsistency as a matter of principle.

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Serious question -- are you as resolutely anti-stereotyping when it comes to all minority groups?  Or just white men?  The problem is that most white americans do indulge in some kind of sterotyping; it becomes extremely painful when applied to them for the first time.  I have very mixed feelings about this as a tactic, so I'm not making any judgments, just observations.  [/quote]

10:59 here.  A fair question/point.

The answer is "yes"--I resolutely oppose stereotyping based on identity across the board.  I deeply believe in the principle of judging people as individuals, both as a matter of morality and of practicality.  Judging based on group identity has led to many of history's grimmest moments and is damaging to the fabric of our society and country.

That said, you're certainly right that we *all* engage in some stereotyping conscious or otherwise, so I certainly am not claiming perfection.  (I irrationally but firmly believe that all MVA employees are devil-worshipers, for example).

Lastly, for me, the "pain" here is not about being stereotyped as a white man.  It's not the specifics here that bother me, rather it's the fact that this sort of thing legitimizes the idea of stereotyping in general.

To me, that's both unprincipled and counterproductive.

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