thanks for your comment mted. your earlier comments about working class and ruling class seem a bit naive and idealistic if not with a hint of redspeak. however, the roots of racism stem more from ignorance.

Do you believe that its in the vested interest of some power elite to instill racism between the Hutus and Tutsi say, or perhaps Serbs & Croats, etc. and whites and minorities in europe and north america. or as they say he who likes to generalize, generally lies. (but Im doing that too, of course)

I would say that we all do it to an extent. We constantly make assumptions without thinking based on appearance, and it may be about people who are overweight, or dressed a certain way .

And while different cultures do things differently there really are cultural values common to different nations and people (say in america self reliance and independence and in japan living in harmony and belonging to a group etc.) but not everyone in that group may share them. I think it just happens to be easier to lump people into categories.

Its not that one is racist/bigotted/ etc or isnt, not many would own up to it. and yet we do it.

The most interesting observation on the OJ trial was that most african americans felt he was innocent and most white americans felt he was guilty. and yet none of them really knew.

we should examine our own response and be vigilant.