Are you a racist? The answer may surprize you

I've mentioned before that I grew up amid a lot of racist idea's in South Africa. While I generally rejected most of what I was taught at home, church, school and elsewhere, some of it still stuck.

I can't say for sure if I have entirely removed any of those thoughts from who I am, but I was fortunate enough to spend almost 2 years of my life living amongst the ethnic people of South Africa and received such a warm welcome and kindness at their hands, that much of it has gone.

While that was fortunate, as I have dealt with working through things like this in my head (Largely through the medium of this blog), it is unfortunate that some involved in my past would take offense to their thinking, that I was insinuating that they might possibly be considered racist. For whatever reason my personal journey has stirred within these people feelings of contempt towards me, and a need to justify and/or deny past events.

If you've ever wondered if you were racist, try the following:

1. Have you ever used a racial slur when communicating with, or about a member of a different racial group?

2. Have you ever taught or believed that the color of a person's skin is a direct result of some sin committed by them in a previous life?

3. Have you ever celebrated, not having to be a part of a countries first democratic election, where all people can vote, regardless of skin color?

4. Have you ever taught and/or believed that skin color has a direct effect on intelligence or ability to lead?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, you might think you could be considered racist, but apparently both you and I are wrong - and there is a very high probability that we should seek professional help to overcome it too.

This blog post brought to you by tolerance, and the ability to realize that just because someone disagrees with you, it doesn't mean they hate and despise you.