have you ever thought that you might actually be somewhat racist? is it possible to be slightly racist? these are the questions that i have been pondering for some time, and although i don't have an answer yet, i believe that it is a definitely a topic for introspection and discussion.
in SL of course, there is the "ethnic question" or "ethnic issue" is how it is always put in news stories, but i'm not talking about that. i have several tamil friends and while it sometimes gets a bit awkward when there has been a bombing, i don't believe they are any less human or intelligent or anything.
but sometimes even though i have these friends, i still sometimes prefer to hang out with my singhalese friends more. is it wrong to like to hang out with people that are like me?
we can share jokes and talk in singhalese and it's great fun. the atmosphere changes when there's a tamil or english speaking person because then we have to only speak in english or be rude.
so sometimes i find myself wondering if i am a racist. what are the ways one can tell? what are the things one can do to change? how can one make sure that one isn't perceived as racist by others?
my parents never taught my any racist ideas. is the only proof that one can have of not being racist having a friend of another race? if so, it seems a bit strange and dishonourable to befriend someone purely for that reason. i'm not sure, what do you think?