These are simple sounding words but many people mix up their meanings or misunderstand them.
Racism: 1. Racial prejudice or discrimination.
2. The belief that race is the primary determinant of human triats and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent supiority of an inherent race.
The above definitions are found in Webster's and are generally accepted. This is interesting because all humans are of the same race. There are different ethnic groups--groups that are raised in different cultures and who may look alike however on the genetic level whether from Africa, Japan, or the United States we are the same. In fact, the physical differences seen in different so-called "races" are caused by the emphasis of different genes--genes we all have, based on factors mainly related to geography.
Discrimination: 1. This can simply refer to seeing the difference between things, for example my metal detector has a discrimination setting that enables it to tell the the difference between coins and bottle tops. However, for the purpose of this article, we will be looking at discrimination as it pertains to human behavior:
2. Discrimination is when prejudice, is a basis for treating one ethnic group better or worse than other ethnic groups. (Prejudice of course is the judging of others based on factors or characteristics possessed by an individual, such as religion, country of origin, etc., without actually having knowledge of the individual in question)
BTW, on a separate note, this writer believes some racism is harmless or even positive. This falls into a very narrow category. If one is doing/saying something based on race (which I've established actually means ethnic group--not race) then that is racist. One positive example that comes to mind is the comedy of Margaret Cho (and others). She often does a "racist" imitation of her mother that though "racist" is not meant to be hurtful or harmful in any way--it is quite funny in my opinion. One could argue that even this "racism" is harmful and perpetuates stereotypes but I think at some point one must "draw a line" and say if people are taking this seriously they will find ways to be racist with or without said material.
(Sources: Webster's New Explorer Encyclopedic Dictionary, Mirriam-Webster, 2006; http://otto--ladensack.blogspot.com/2011/03/mexican-americans.html; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc6mLwOa2Ig; http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/12717530/article-April-9; http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/11274570/article-Where-desegregation-stopped?instance=hs_guest_columnists)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Today's Vocabulary Term...
Today's vocabulary word: Dodo (bird)
The dodo (pronounced doe-doe) was a heavy, flightless bird found on Mauritius Island before it became extinct in the late 17th century. It was related to the pidgeon but larger than a turkey. It did not know enough to fear people, whom it had been isolated from until being discovered in 1598, and would often walk up to them on the island only to be clubbed and then eaten. By 1681 it was gone.
Dodo is a term that is often used to describe a person who is dumb because many viewed the bird as "stupid" for being such easy prey. It's too bad innocence and friendliness were not simply regarded as attractive qualities.
(Sources: Webster's New Explorer Encyclopedic Dictionary, Mirriam-Webster, 2006; http://www.davidreilly.com/dodo/images/gallery/dronte.JPG; http://www.davidreilly.com/dodo/background.html; http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4eldaXoJbA/TWB2BT7yDaI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/roD99gExE74/s1600/dodo.jpg )
I hope you enjoyed this entry from myself, Trish, with the help of my husband, Otto.
The dodo (pronounced doe-doe) was a heavy, flightless bird found on Mauritius Island before it became extinct in the late 17th century. It was related to the pidgeon but larger than a turkey. It did not know enough to fear people, whom it had been isolated from until being discovered in 1598, and would often walk up to them on the island only to be clubbed and then eaten. By 1681 it was gone.
Dodo is a term that is often used to describe a person who is dumb because many viewed the bird as "stupid" for being such easy prey. It's too bad innocence and friendliness were not simply regarded as attractive qualities.
(Sources: Webster's New Explorer Encyclopedic Dictionary, Mirriam-Webster, 2006; http://www.davidreilly.com/dodo/images/gallery/dronte.JPG; http://www.davidreilly.com/dodo/background.html; http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4eldaXoJbA/TWB2BT7yDaI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/roD99gExE74/s1600/dodo.jpg )
I hope you enjoyed this entry from myself, Trish, with the help of my husband, Otto.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Today's Vocabulary Term
Today's vocabulary term: lappaceous
Meaning: prickly, usually botanical and resembling burdocks or other small, prickly outgrowths.
Example
As a child I drove my bike into some lappaceous bushes when my brakes failed--I was scratched up quite a bit.
(Source: http://www.talktalk.co.uk/reference/dictionaries/difficultwords/)
compiled by: Otto Ladensack
Meaning: prickly, usually botanical and resembling burdocks or other small, prickly outgrowths.
Example
As a child I drove my bike into some lappaceous bushes when my brakes failed--I was scratched up quite a bit.
(Source: http://www.talktalk.co.uk/reference/dictionaries/difficultwords/)
compiled by: Otto Ladensack
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Today's Vocabulary Enhancing Term
Today's Vocabulary Enhancing term: bunker mentality
--A state of mind especially among members of a group that is characterized chauvinistic defensiveness and self-righteous intolerance of criticism.
Example:
The bunker mentality many doctors in Durham have toward Duke University is frustrating because theirs is a poor hospital. They've botched transplants with fatal avoidable errors, used hydraulic-fluid contaminated surgical tools on patients (despite doctors noting their slipperyness), caused me to take our daughter elsewhere after a room that would be available "soon" still wasn't there six hours later, after my own colectomy was performed without informed consent, questionable billing practices, and despite a generally rude staff that acts like one should feel honored to be in one of their facilities. (Note: this example was authored by Otto Ladensack)
This is a recent term, coined in 1976. I would not usually use a two word term on this page but found this one too commonly observed and interesting to pass up.
Have a nice day, Patricia Ladensack
--A state of mind especially among members of a group that is characterized chauvinistic defensiveness and self-righteous intolerance of criticism.
Example:
The bunker mentality many doctors in Durham have toward Duke University is frustrating because theirs is a poor hospital. They've botched transplants with fatal avoidable errors, used hydraulic-fluid contaminated surgical tools on patients (despite doctors noting their slipperyness), caused me to take our daughter elsewhere after a room that would be available "soon" still wasn't there six hours later, after my own colectomy was performed without informed consent, questionable billing practices, and despite a generally rude staff that acts like one should feel honored to be in one of their facilities. (Note: this example was authored by Otto Ladensack)
This is a recent term, coined in 1976. I would not usually use a two word term on this page but found this one too commonly observed and interesting to pass up.
Have a nice day, Patricia Ladensack
Friday, April 15, 2011
Word of the Day
Today's vocabulary enhancing word:
Ennui (pronounced: on-wee): a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction; boredom.
Example: Because of his lack of imagination he was usually in a state of ennui when he had nothing to do.
(Source:Webster's New Explorer Encyclopedic Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., 2006)
Have a nice day, Trish.
Ennui (pronounced: on-wee): a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction; boredom.
Example: Because of his lack of imagination he was usually in a state of ennui when he had nothing to do.
(Source:Webster's New Explorer Encyclopedic Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., 2006)
Have a nice day, Trish.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Word of the Day
Today's Vocabularly Enhancing Word:
Isomorphic: being of identical or similar form, shape, or structure--but of different ancestry, genetic constitution, or chemical constitution.
Examples: while both crystals can be clear and attractive, diamonds and quartz crystals are not isomorphic because diamonds have many more facets.
Doberman Pinschers and Miniature Pinschers are isomorphic in general appearance but are actually different breeds.
(sources: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/isomorphic, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary, Lippincott & Crowell Publishers, 1980)
Have a nice day, Trish.
Isomorphic: being of identical or similar form, shape, or structure--but of different ancestry, genetic constitution, or chemical constitution.
Examples: while both crystals can be clear and attractive, diamonds and quartz crystals are not isomorphic because diamonds have many more facets.
Doberman Pinschers and Miniature Pinschers are isomorphic in general appearance but are actually different breeds.
(sources: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/isomorphic, Funk & Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary, Lippincott & Crowell Publishers, 1980)
Have a nice day, Trish.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Outstanding Vocabulary Words, Day 3
Today's word: Laconic
Meaning: using few words, brief, to the point.
Sentence: sometimes his laconic manner made hime seem curt or unpleasant but he just wasn't accustomed to being real social.
Source: http://www.majortests.com/sat/wordlist-01
Have an excellent day, Trish
Meaning: using few words, brief, to the point.
Sentence: sometimes his laconic manner made hime seem curt or unpleasant but he just wasn't accustomed to being real social.
Source: http://www.majortests.com/sat/wordlist-01
Have an excellent day, Trish
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Outstanding Vocabulary Day 2
Today's word is: rufescent
Pronounced roo-fe-sent, this word means reddish or tinged with red.
In a sentence: That rufescent algae may be the type that causes red tides and can kill marine life and make shellfish fatal to humans!
Have an excellent day and if you like check out my trivia page at: http://patricia-ladensack.blogspot.com/
Pronounced roo-fe-sent, this word means reddish or tinged with red.
In a sentence: That rufescent algae may be the type that causes red tides and can kill marine life and make shellfish fatal to humans!
Have an excellent day and if you like check out my trivia page at: http://patricia-ladensack.blogspot.com/
Monday, April 11, 2011
Outstanding Vocabulary, Day 1
Everyone can use better vocabulary. It helps on tests, resumes, in the workplace and so on. Here I focus on just one word each day that is not very commonly understood. Please feel free to comment or make suggestions.
Perspicacity: Abnormally powerful mentally ability; having acuteness of perception, discernment, or understanding.
Sentence: Due to his perspicacity and drive, my husband always gets an "A" when he writes a paper.
Have a great day. April 11, 2011
Perspicacity: Abnormally powerful mentally ability; having acuteness of perception, discernment, or understanding.
Sentence: Due to his perspicacity and drive, my husband always gets an "A" when he writes a paper.
Have a great day. April 11, 2011
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