If you finally spoke out against the "Monkey" banner that there was so much discussion about earlier, then I apologize for saying you hadn't decried the racism that had been specifically discussed here.
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He hasn't.

I havn't been through the whole thread but what was the monkey banner?

And then before that he asked about the definition of racism - let me answer your second question and then show how that applies to the first.

Racism is the act of one race oppressing another. Therefore, with the white race being the only race (as a whole) that is in a position of power, it is the only race that can oppress other races, as a whole.

I get that the first person who runs to Webster.com will trot back with something about how racism is just a meaningless interchangable term for prejudice or bigotry, but I dare ya to reasearch the entomology of the word.

Anyway - in other news...

So, I've spent the last few weeks trying to figure out who defaced my Obama bumper stickers and I think I have it narrowed down - one guy in my apartment complex has a confederate flag hanging out his window and my neighbor's teen son has white supremacy slogans on his skateboard...

Those two are my major suspects right now.

I think the words racism and racist are thrown out too easily nowadays and dilutes the true impact of the words.

Thank you Mike O' for answering from the heart instead of rushing off to Websters.  That's what I was looking for, what the word means to a person.  You're saying that only whites can be racist, but I disagree.  I think that anyone that uses something as minor as a different skin pigmentation to oppress another person is a racist.  The street goes both ways. 

For example, the Duke Lacrosse mess.  The team was labeled racist (and rapists) when the story broke about 3 white men raping and assaulting a black woman.  88 faculty members of Duke University wrote a letter condeming the team.  3 players were being charged with crimes.  Only, the woman that made the charges lied.  There was no rape.  There was no assault.  Why wasn't she labeled a racist for her actions against the 3 lacrosse players?  She was the person with the power having a large part of the university staff, as well as a District Attorney running for reelection behind her.

As for your car, I'm sorry that's happening.  Defacing anyone's property is wrong no matter what the reason, and I hope you are able to find out who did it and they are prosecuted for it.  I suggest a 220 volt line running to your car when it's parked (but don't forget to disconnect when you want to get in).  : )

QUOTE: Anyway - in other news... So, I've spent the last few weekstrying to figure out who defaced my Obama bumper stickers and I think Ihave it narrowed down - one guy in my apartment complex has aconfederate flag hanging out his window and my neighbor's teen son haswhite supremacy slogans on his skateboard... Those two are my major suspects right now.

  Fuck em up Mike. Even if you are wrong they did something to deserve it.

I have to say it. Jeff that example is horrible. Mike O'Brien forgive me if I'm missunderstanding. I am curious, what would hate be called, if directed to a white person, based on his or her race? Sorry if I am posting too much on these subjects but nobody I know likes to have these types of disscussions. I was always told not to discuss politics, religionor other taboo subjects in polite conversation, but thats why polite conversation is boring.