NationStates Jolt Archive

I've been thinking, if humanity was openly attacked by aliens and the governments could do nothing to cover it up, and everyone knew that they'd have to fight for the survival of mankind would illogical racism still exist? Would we still judge each other based on skin, eye and hair color even when mankind's last hope is to stick together?

Discuss.

I've been thinking, if humanity was openly attacked by aliens and the governments could do nothing to cover it up, and everyone knew that they'd have to fight for the survival of mankind would illogical racism still exist? Would we still judge each other based on skin, eye and hair color even when mankind's last hope is to stick together?

Discuss.

Yes, racism would still exist. People might decide to put it aside for a short time, but there would still be racism. Of course if we had to deal with an alien threat for an extended period of time (several generations) I would think racism would definitely decline, though complete removal of racist tendencies is not possible due to a natural, and necessary process by which the mind generalizes things based on experience.

I've been thinking, if humanity was openly attacked by aliens and the governments could do nothing to cover it up, and everyone knew that they'd have to fight for the survival of mankind would illogical racism still exist? Would we still judge each other based on skin, eye and hair color even when mankind's last hope is to stick together?

Discuss.


yes, some people would hang on to their racist ways, but they'd be the first one's we send to the frontlines.

People wouldn't act on their racism, and would probably cover it up, but it would probably still exist. I don't think racism can just disappear that simply. It takes generations.

people would then just become speciesest against the aliens.

How would that solve the problem to just shift the hate onto something else?

I think a good cure for racism might be the cleansing of the Earth yes (though I always pictured aliens using us in slave mines myself)

however living humans will be racist especially if there is a widespread poverty/lack of education thing going on

Yes and no...

A fairly basic argument could be that WWII helped further break down the gender barrier in the UK - an example of how war brings people together and breaks down prejudices.

However, a counter example would be that of the relations between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. The IRA was active in the early part of the war, and were considered that they would probably assist the Germans had they decided to invade. On the whole there was very little conciliation between the UK and the newly independent Ireland during WWII.

I believe that the Red Cross for a large part of WWII refused to accept black people's blood, and then only from black GIs.

In the US air raid shelters were constructed with segregation in mind.

So yeah, yes and no. It all depends how stupidly stubborn the racists are.

Are you kidding? It will still exist, heck, the rascists will blame the other races for the alien invasion. Or at the very least, that people rasicsts are prejudiced against will be the cause of failures on the battlefield.

Yes, it will still exist, and sometimes openly. Never underestimate the capacity for human stupidity.

I've been thinking, if humanity was openly attacked by aliens and the governments could do nothing to cover it up, and everyone knew that they'd have to fight for the survival of mankind would illogical racism still exist? Would we still judge each other based on skin, eye and hair color even when mankind's last hope is to stick together?

Discuss.

Yes. There are in fact some people who would still not trust blacks as much as whites.

Anyway, long-time-no-see SL. You missed the http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=539665& debate.

Are you kidding? It will still exist, heck, the rascists will blame the other races for the alien invasion. Or at the very least, that people rasicsts are prejudiced against will be the cause of failures on the battlefield.

Correct. "Teh j00z cahzzed da invayzon!"

Didn't 9/11 cause a, possibly temporary, unity between people in New York, albeit against Muslims I guess but I think it was just a general feeling of unity?

I remember reading something like this and it was a long time ago so I might not remember correctly but I think there was a general atmosphere of 'we're all in this together' and there was a great deal more eye-contact and nodding of heads etc.

So yes, I think we unite against common enemies no matter who we are if we perceive people to be 'on our side'.

It would go away for some time. However if and when the alien threat was defeated it would slowly work it's way back into society

Given that racism is irrational, ie it is not motivated by a reason...whether or not the pros and cons of racism change wouldn't make a difference.

It's not like the pros of being racist outweigh the cons now, so even if the balance shifts further I wouldn't expect a huge change.

I think that, if faced with something more different than each other, racism would decrease significantly since, in my opinion, most 'casual' racism is motivated by xenophobia.
*shrug*

I'd join the aliens and betray earth

I'd join the aliens and betray earth

Oh, no. Another Hawley Griffin.

I'd join the aliens and betray earth

Just admitted to global treason. Makes you guilty of a capital offense.

Everybody, grab the torches and pitchforks! We've got a hanging to carry out!!

Then we would use the captured aliens as Buffalo Soldiers

Yes, either:

A. People will blame (insert ethnic/religious group here)

B. Mostly everyone will be racist towards the aliens.